When I first started writing on this small space of the internet, my posts were sporadic and random. I would write about a great run I had, or an epic vegan meal I created, all sandwiched between cat stories and my disdain for higher education. I was young, spunky, and had a carefree zest for life.
I then fell in love with hiking, and started to learn more about the science of coffee. I became voracious in my studies of blends, pairings, regions, and finding the right balance of flavors for those who “don’t drink black coffee.” I find those who don’t enjoy the taste of coffee typically haven’t been introduced to the right blend for them, like a fine wine.
I really miss preparing/photographing/and consuming coffee tastings…
Eventually my carefree posts turned more introspective while I navigated life after being diagnosed with a chronic illness. Everything as I knew it began to change, and my posts followed suit. Instead of stepping away from this space when I no longer ate a vegan diet, no longer ran consistently, and had to avoid drinking coffee (aka everything I blogged about), I dove deeper into myself to pull out the nitty gritty thoughts most people don’t want to acknowledge.
I have spent the last ten years learning about myself, and sharing my journey with whoever chooses to read.
I have met a handful of lifelong friends through this space, something I would have never imagined possible. I have seen new parts of my home country visiting these friends, I communicate with them more than people I met throughout my childhood, and I continue to meet new people as I continue to write. This has quite literally become a small community for me, and I genuinely adore each and every comment or email I get from those who read what I have to say.
I am a simple gal, and I don’t need much out of life. One of the quickest ways for me to feel seen, heard, and understood is for someone to read my words, or listen to my thoughts with a genuine interest. My love languages are words of affirmation, and quality time. For sometime to take the time to read what I have to say, and then engage with me brings such a deep sense of joy and purpose to my day.
To have a space where I can share my heart in such a raw, and vulnerable way is something I never knew I would need.
I wasn’t prepared for how therapeutic it would be to write here. I started this blog because I wanted to get free stuff. I wanted to review fun new foods and products, and that’s exactly what I did. Free stuff came my way, until eventually I had companies reaching out to me instead of the other way around. These days I am much less active here, I pop on when I want to word vomit somewhere other than my personal journal, with the hopes of connecting with someone else near or far away.
There is comfort in community.
I was 22 when I started this blog, and the amount of life I have lived the last decade feels oddly like a faint dream. I fell in love, had my heart broken, ran six half marathons, switched paths countless times, graduated college, moved to Europe, obsessed over healing my body, worked through an eating disorder, lost my way, and conquered many literal, physical, and mental mountains.
I have fallen, gotten back up, and fallen again. Over, and over, and over…I thank each and every one of you who has come to this space to follow along on this wild journey of life.
I didn’t anticipate I would be here ten years later, and I don’t know how long I will continue writing on this space. For now I enjoy it, so for now I write. I’ll leave you all with this gift – a link to my very first blog post from April 2011. A young, awkward, excited human unaware of what the next ten years would hold for her.
I still make that face, I just have a lot less hair now.
Blissfulbritt 
51 thoughts on “A Decade in the Making”
Sheree
Quite a journey, congratulations
Brittany
Thank you!
Sheree
Pleasure
Atheria
Growth is often painful, but so needed. Well, unless you are my mother. LOL! I’m still with my jaw on the floor when, during an argument trying to get something through to her, when I exasperatedly said, “Don’t you WANT to grow?!” “No. I don’t want to grow.” (insert eye roll here) Anyway, you have saved me a fortune in travel costs with all of your wonderful pictures as you moved around the globe. 🙂 Thanks! I love your honesty and life’s journey. I look forward to hearing that you’ve climbed Mount Everest next.
Brittany
I hope to continue saving you lots of money! 😄
Amy M
It’s amazing how time flies and growth happens, right? It was this post (https://blissfulbritt.com/2015/03/04/super-food-energy-bites/) that introduced me to you, golden berries and it’s your genuine, beautiful self that has kept me engaged (and entertained, lol) over the years. Cheers to the next 10 years!
Brittany
Thank you, Amy! I am now inspired to eat some golden berries. 🤪
capejohn
Here we all are. Still with you after all these years. It’s a pleasure.
Brittany
Thank you!! What a journey it’s been. 🤗
Liz H
Girl, you are a true seeker who dares what others only speculate! Your posts are a bright, real spot in my week.
💐🌹💐
Brittany
Thank you so much, what kind words. 😭❤️
Honey
Wow! Ten years. I have enjoyed reading every single one. Watching you grow into the beautiful woman you are, inside and out, has been inspiring. Love you mucho!
Brittany
Thank you, it means so much that you’ve followed along. ❤️
rootchopper
Happy blogoversary. I came for the woo woo. Thanks for the adventures and the honesty and laughter. Keep writing. I’ll be here chopping them roots.
Brittany
The woo woo. 😂 You accept me just as I am, thank you. I’m glad you’re here, your engagements are some of my favorites.
rootchopper
I just checked. I began my blog over on Blogspot on 4/10/11. Like yours it quickly became about things I wasn’t expecting. The next day my wife got hit by a car while walking to the Post Office. She’s still kicking BTW. Yikes. Watch out for those SUVs.
Brittany
Wow, a decade for you too! I’m so glad your wife is ok, what a scary experience.
gpavants
Wow, Brittney!
Congratulations on 10 years. I am glad to be part of your community. I totally get that carthartic feeling with blogging. You know, the best is yet to come.
Thanks,
Gary
Brittany
Thank you for being here, I appreciate your input each and every time. ❤️✝️
ashleyleia
Congrats on the milestone!
Brittany
Thank you. 🤗
fionajarrett
It’s a joy to read your posts. As well as writing very well, you are brave and honest. I’m always inspired! Bravo 👏
Brittany
Thank you friend! So nice to hear from you.
hyddyr
I have enjoyed following you to mountain tops and down trails, over your hills and through your journeys, with you on your own or with you and with your friends, traveling across Europe and meandering right here in our own back yard. I’m glad you let us tag along and look forward to your next 10 years. ❤
Brittany
Thank you!! I am thankful you are here to follow along.
hyddyr
PS: I forgot to mention how much I enjoy your amazing photography that is as much a part of the blog as your words.
Brittany
Double thank you. 🙂
Josh dV
A decade? Is that all? I look forward to many more decades following and supporting you friend!
I appreciate your honest shares, your zest for life and your bravery. I’m so glad to know you digitally and I want you to know, you make my life better.
Brittany
Josh, your comment has brought such a warmth to my heart, thank you! I am thankful to have “met” you through this space, you are always a bright light to my comment section.
Also, following your running endeavors is always incredibly inspirational!
Pam
Ok so now I am really feeling that time has swept past me and I wasn’t paying attention……I moved to the PNW🏔🌲 5 1/2 years ago in need of a cat sitter immediately and plucked you right out of the coffee shop
You have been a part of my PNW life from day one and it seems like a lifetime as if You were always there, Thank You💕. Our visits , walks, and many discussions are always treasured and let’s not forget
SCOTLAND🏴 I’ve seen You grow and become a World traveler, I’ve seen Your eyes open wider and Your know Your heart will follow. Each day is an opportunity to be open to new experiences and that builds friendships, knowledge and a wealth of memories…..the future is Yours🙋♀️
See You Soon 🧚🏻
Brittany
Words cannot describe how thankful I am for you. I never anticipated becoming a pet sitter, and your friendship was hands down the best outcome of that time in my life.
I cannot wait for many more years of friendship, walks, chats, and travels!
Amy
HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY!!!!! I’m SO grateful for the chance to “meet” you through blogging, and I cannot WAIT for the day to finally meet you in person. It WILL happen — and hopefully either at Disneyland or somewhere in the mountains for a hiking adventure! ♡
Also… I just went back and spend the last 20+ minutes reading tons of your old blog posts. (Thanks for the link to your very first one! 😉) I STILL remember the very first blog post of yours that I read (the one about your first solo race, christening the biffy, and a free pre-race doughnut!) and how much I adored you for your authenticity, realness, and hilarious personality. Anyway, I ended up reading all of the posts between your first blog post and that first one of yours I read back in April 2012. 🙊
Just a few highlights I loved from those posts that made me laugh AND realize how much I still want to meet you in person!…
10 Reasons Proving You’re a Cheap/Frugal Beast — 11 airbags… yes please, me too!!
Just Keep Running — I hate it when my foods touch too! My mom even bought me a toddler’s plate with the divided sections as a Christmas present one year. It was the BEST.
One Upped PB Cup — BRILLIANT. Must try this PB cup topping!!
Sending you lots of love and the biggest virtual hug!! ♡
Brittany
I will never forget the first blog post of mine you read, anytime I think about that race I think of you. LOL!!!! I am so thankful that post brought you to me. And everything in between!!
I cannot wait for the day we meet, it will be the most long awaited blog meeting EVER! I mean EVER.
Amy
Awwwww!!! I can’t believe you now think of me when you think of that race… My heart feels so full right now! ♡
And YES AMEN TO THAT!!! Definitely the most long awaited blog meeting ever — in the entire history of blog meetings. I’m SO excited for that day to come!!!
Aashwinshanker
Great post! Loved reading it.
Brittany
Hey, thanks!
Aashwinshanker
You’re welcome!
carolinehelbig
Ten years! That’s awesome. Congratulations. I’m glad blogging has/continues to serve you well.
Brittany
The time has gone slow and fast at the same time! Thank you. 🤗
Steve
Thanks for sharing your inspirational words, Brittany! A story of perseverance.
Brittany
Thank YOU for reading!
Allie Zottola
I have loved reading your blog through the years!! It has been amazing to see you grow and change and share the nitty gritty through it all!
Brittany
Thank you friend, I have appreciated your friendship throughout the years!
Reehan Jameel
I’ve always believed in not praying for an easy life, but praying for the strength endure an arduous one.
I’ve only just started writing here, and reading this post has given me the inspiration to write for another 10 years.
Brittany
Your comments have brought warmth to my soul, thank you. I hope you find healing in writing like I have.
Reehan Jameel
You’re welcome. I’m really enjoying this process and am sure I will find solace in expressing myself. Hopefully I can pass on some goodness to others too.
MaryBeth
I’ve been reading your blog (somewhat secretively) for the past 2 years now! When you first became my roomie and mentioned your blog I stalked you and read your posts without telling you. Then one day I just said “hey I’ve been reading your blog.” We are words of affirmation/quality time love language friends together in that sense. I am so sincerely appreciative of your transparency and willingness to sit in the hard feelings. God definitely gave you a talent to write, and I’m glad to benefit from your gift! 🙂
Brittany
MaryBeth 😭😭😭😭. I love this comment soso much. It means a lot when anyone reads, but it means so much more when it’s a close friend. I love you. ❤️ I adore following your journey as well, and look forward to each one of your posts.
5thgenerationgirl
I love that you are enjoying life! You are very inspirational!!!
Brittany
That is so kind of you to say. ❤️
5thgenerationgirl
I look forward to learning about more of your ventures! Blessings my dear.