This is a post I never thought I’d write…not here, at least. The HB blog thus far has been entirely food-focused, lighthearted, and not exactly wordy like my old blog, Girl Meets Life. But the truth is that I should have written this a long time ago.
I’m not even sure what my purpose with this post is, other than to clear my mind a bit. Deep down I’m hoping that my old GML followers are reading because, well…I miss you!
When I shut down Girl Meets Life a little under a year ago, I knew it was the right decision. I still know it was the right decision. It was a chapter of my life that I outgrew for a handful of different reasons – a big one being that the amount of openness and transparency that GML required became too much for me. A girl needs her privacy, you know?
So when I decided to move forward with Hungry Blonde (which I had been pursuing anonymously while GML was still alive), I was excited that I’d still be able to fill my blogging tank without having to divulge every little detail of my life. And it really has turned out to be just that! I LOVE sharing recipes, restaurant reviews, healthy living tips & more, which was always one of my favorite things about GML anyway.
But, somewhere along the line, I made a huge mistake. I didn’t bring my GML readers along on the ride with me.
To be honest, I couldn’t tell you exactly why that is. I think it was a combination of poor planning mixed with wanting a new identity outside of GML. But even more than that, I think I felt like I had let my readers down. Over the years (and countless comments, emails, etc.) I had come to learn how much my posts about relationships, spirituality, and life lessons meant to them. And then I just up and left to start a brand new blog that didn’t include any of those things.
Because of that, I’ve found myself dulling down my identity here at Hungry Blonde. I hate that. I always go on and on about how the relatability factor of blogging should be the number one priority, yet here I am severely lacking in that department. It’s time for me to change that, starting with this post.
If you couldn’t tell, there are certainly days that I miss GML. But when I really step back and think about it, it’s not the blog or the content that I miss. It’s my readers.
So…what now? Well, even though I seem to have forgotten this somewhere along the line, I’m the same Gracie as before! And I’m going to make an effort to share more of MY story both here and on the Hungry Blonde Instagram. I’m not quite sure exactly what that will look like yet, but I think just being true to my damn self is a good place to start.
I don’t usually have the comments turned on on this blog, but I’m going to leave them open for the slim chance that some of my old readers are here. If that’s you, I would love SO much to hear from you, and perhaps what sort of blog posts you’d like to see from me here on HB.
Here’s to fresh beginnings. xoxo G
Hey Gracie! Long time GML reader over here and brand new New Yorker! I am loving the hungry blonde! As a fellow late 20 year old it really resonates with my life. Keep it up, us GML readers are out there
Yay, thanks girl! Hope you’re enjoying the city 🙂
Long time GML reader here! A few years back I messaged you on Facebook asking for your advice on how to find my faith during a difficult breakup. You recommended the book “Captivating,” and it totally changed my life. I never got over how open and kind you were to me–a complete stranger. I loved reading GML, but I’m so happy you’ve moved on to something that connects with you more during this time in your life! Either way, you’re totally inspiring to me and I’ll continue to follow you on your journey. 🙂
Brittany! I remember that! This comment just brought me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing <3
Yup, I’m still here too 🙂 and while I maybe don’t read as many blogs as I used to, I still follow all my old favs (ie you!) on social media and check in every once in a while. Been around since 2009 and not going anywhere anytime soon! xx
Aw yay, thanks Sara! I’m with you – once Instagram came along I stopped reading a handful of blogs. But thank you so much for being such a long time reader! xoxo
Long-time GML reader here too! So glad that I accidentally found you when Instagram suggested other pages for me to follow 🙂
Woooo! Thanks Instagram 😉
I’m here! And once I found where you had gone, I was following you once again. Our lives bring up such crazy seasons, and in your season of closing down GML and believing in HB, you were doing what was right. And like you said, it still feels like the right thing. We may not be able to explain it to the world around us, but as long as it rings truth loud within your heart – you did the right thing. I will say, I miss your old posts and sometimes wish I could go back and reread a few that hit home so hard. You always made the effort to connect with your audience, which means everything. Not a lot of bloggers will put in the love to do that. It truly shows how genuine your heart is and how much you care. Whatever your future holds here, I’m with you. =) You’ve made me believe in working towards a life for me.
Thanks so much for this thoughtful comment, Kelsey! And thanks for being such a loyal follower for so long 🙂 Your comments have always meant so much to me! xoxo
Hi Gracie! I was so excited when I found GML because you gave such great info and advice about moving and living in NYC. I actually took the plunge and moved there and used a lot of your advice to help with the move. Your blog introduced me to Sydney Vincent as well and she was super sweet and even met me one day for coffee. I was bummed when you stopped writing on GML, but I totally get it and think you’re so brave. I love your creativity and what you share with your readers. I now follow you on here as well and think your blog is awesome. Can’t wait to read more!
-Courtney
Thanks for this comment, Courtney! I’m so glad you found my NYC posts helpful – I wrote them because I wish I had info like that when I moved here, ha. Also love that you connected with Sydney 🙂 She and I actually met through GML and ended up becoming best friends!
Thanks again for the kind words and sticking with me 🙂 xoxo
Yay! Glad I found you again via your Facebook page!
Woooo!
thanks for being true to yourself G. Love you
Love you and the hungry blonde! Would love more posts like:
Top 20 brunch spots for 2016 and stuff like that.
When I’m looking for a new restaurant to try there is no where to go for suggestions.
<3 <3 <3 to you, girlfriend! I feel ya on every part of this. xoxo!
I didn’t even know about this blog. Following once more 😉
Love you & BOTH of your blogs!! Excited for what’s to come. 🙂
Still reading 🙂 I love the “What I Ate” in a day posts–it’s a nice reminder that balance can be found while enjoying awesome foodie finds.
Hey Julie, thanks for this! I was wondering if that was something people liked 🙂 It was so popular back in the old days of “healthy living blogs,” haha. I’ll try to implement more! xo
Love this! Still here, Gracie. Always cheering for, learning from, and with you. Whether meeting life or eating food. Keep doing you!! Much love.
Hi, I found you on stumbledupon.com a few years back! I have you on Facebook and instagram! Glad to see you active again!! Good luck
Still here! 🙂
I love you gracie! Wether your just a girl meeting life or a grown woman who has evolved into a beautiful, hungry blonde, your readers will always be here cheering you on along & learning from the fabulous wisdom you have to share about life. xoxo
Aww thank you for this Nina! Miss you !!!!
Long time GML reader here and was so happy a few weeks back when I randomly stumbled upon the Hungry Blonde Instagram. The HB posts around NYC restaurants are great, but I live in Boston so I have serious food envy! Because of that I tend to like the more general posts like recipes, “What I Ate,” or the posts about your Whole 30 experience. In particular I’m always trying to balance my love for exploring the food scene in a city and attempting to remain at least somewhat healthy. I’d appreciate any future posts with insights into that struggle! XO
Oh and one more thing, can you please re-post your blondie recipes?!
Girl, you read my mind, haha! Just yesterday Jessi was like why don’t you re-post your blondies?! Be on the lookout 😉
You randomly popped up on my Pinterest home page today. I clicked on your old blog URL with the intention of reading some archived posts, but instead found my way here! Glad to see you’re blogging again. I think I only commented once on GML, but I was a loyal reader! Looking forward to exploring your new blog. 🙂