Year Two at CC Headquarters: A Little Older, A Lot Wiser(ish)

It's officially been two years of my blog as of a week ago. I'd say I can't believe it, but it feels like a lifetime ago. I think that's because of how different I feel. Especially since our first anniversary last September, I feel like a completely different version of myself. What a gift time gives us.

I almost missed the fact that it's been two years. Last week, I was creating content for my blog and realized two years have passed, in a non-dramatic sort of way. Last year I went all out with a one-year celebration with friends, a full party production. Something I am very good at.

This year it's been special to celebrate just myself. It's been a different feeling to hold it close before celebrating with all my people and readers.

Which is very on brand for year two: quieter, more inward, more for me.

The second year of my blog, brand, and social media presence has felt slower. I had writer's block much of the time, and my ideas often felt repetitive or mundane, so much so that they didn't deserve a spot on the website. I wasn't writing as many posts, so the ones I did publish felt like they needed to be groundbreaking, moving, and important, which is hard to craft.

You may be wondering why I'm sharing about writer's block in a post about growth and milestones. Well, that block pushed me to shift gears and reflect on what my blog actually is to me. Maybe that's what I needed, rather than writing about whatever to hit deadlines and continue sending my editors two posts weekly.

I leaned into my email newsletter this past year because it felt more relaxed and conversational. I love my subscribers (if you're not subscribed, you better sign up!), and writing twice-monthly newsletters was a great way to stay connected to them. I shared my recent happenings, plus what I've been working on in my life and on my healing journey.

My Instagram took off too. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of views on reels, posts, and reposts. I love turning what I've written in an email into a reel that can reach a ton of new followers! I learned so much about algorithms, content, engagement, and what actually works online. (Me being a businesswoman)

But I think the biggest reason this year of Chateau Charty felt different is that my life feels different.

As I've said countless times, when I created this blog, I was in a bad headspace: depressed, lonely, and sad. The blog gave me a place to build confidence, share with others, and be vulnerable. That is wonderful until you try to turn every learning moment, event, or hardship into a post. Which became exhausting for me.

I try to live life differently now. I set boundaries, focus on what matters to me, and I experience things because I love life, not because I'm trying to escape it. Ironically, it's been much healthier to process those experiences without blasting them on the internet.

Not to worry, I still will drop a banger post here and there!

My life has started to draw upon all the lessons learned from having this blog. You're probably aware if you've read my emails or blog posts from the last year...More spontaneity, more presence, more balance between slowing down and a full calendar, and more comfort in my body. Rediscovering my love for horses, ski trips, and all the jam-packed weekends my parents lecture me about but that keep me smiling from ear to ear.

Chateau Charty continues to inspire me to choose myself. It's easy to tell people you're being good to yourself, but the accountability piece is tricky. I have to listen to my own advice and walk the walk: have the hard conversations, make the mistakes, choose myself, and then do it all over again.

After two years of writing for young women, peers, and readers of all ages, I know more than ever that what I choose matters: the decisions I make, who I surround myself with, what I put into my body. I can't preach to or support others through my blog, or my job, and be a hypocrite.

This is one of my favorite gifts of my brand: it inspires me to be honest with myself, which we know isn't always easy. My blog gives me the courage to start again, to put myself out there, follow the dream, and choose the challenging goal.

This brand has shaped how I see myself at my job, socially, and as a whole. Year two at CC headquarters has even encouraged me to start writing my own book (more on that later!) which has been such a fun, refreshing way to escape into a fictional world.

The past two anniversaries have been different and valuable in their own ways. In my first anniversary post (go read it if you haven't!), I talked about how I always craved being influential, famous, and well-known. Back then the dream was singing (if you know my voice, you're laughing). Now it's helping others gain perspective.

Chateau Charty keeps giving me the best gifts, and the best gifts often don't come in expensive packaging at all. They come through time, knowledge, self-esteem, and a little more joy.

Thank you to my readers for always trusting me—for reading my posts and newsletters, watching my reels, and following along. There is no Chateau Charty without YOU. I’ll be here blathering about life, lessons, and my latest obsession for as long as you’ll have me.

And thank you to my family, friends, and chosen family who support me every step of the way.

Cheers to all of you.

Here's to another year of CC!

And if you’re wondering what’s next for Chateau Charty…

Well. I’m writing a smut book.

Yes, it’s a ski-romance trope. Yes, I’m aware this is perhaps the most predictable development in Chateau Charty history.

No, I will not be elaborating at this time. Off Piste will hopefully hit stores In 2030 ;) Signed copies will be free for my Day 1 Fans!

xx,

CHARTAY!