All photos in this post were captured by Alyssa for Flytographer in Lake Tahoe. She was one of the best photographers I’ve ever worked with. Use my code, KATHERINEFOX, for $25 off your Flytographer session!
Two years ago I launched my little corner of the internet with little knowledge, but a lot of heart. It was all I wanted to create for years and with just the right combination of courage, creativity, passion, and support, The Weekend Fox was born. Originally, it was focusing on weekend trips, day trips, Disney days, lifestyle content, and everything in between. And since the launch of TWF, a lot has changed in my life. Everything from losing my 9-5 job with my family’s business to thinking about starting a family. I feel like I’ve discovered more about who I am in the last 24 months than I did in 27 years.
Celebrating 2 Years of Blogging
I still stand by one of my favorite posts, The Best Advice I Received as a New Blogger. It dabbles in all of the questions that I first had when I started blogging and what I took out of the endless amounts of advice. I’ve also become so much more confident between year one and year two. During year one, I constantly felt like a “newbie” just winging it. And while I still have a lot of days of totally just winging it, I feel more confident in my abilities to bring something to the table. I’m still discovering my voice, but I like the progress I’ve made. I’m always searching for meaningful collaborations, and I’ve created some amazing partnerships along the way.
Overall, the last 2 years of blogging have been magical and painful, all in one. The joy I get out of waking up and getting to be my own boss is something I’ve always dreamt about. You know how a lot of girls dream of their wedding day? I dreamed about going outside of the box and doing things my own way. I’m so thankful for the support I received from friends, family, and the man that told me to chase my dreams while he paid the mortgage. In this industry, you have to be your own biggest fan, but there’s nothing better than feeling encouragement from loved ones.
2nd Year Highlights:
Partnering with Opal Collection: Sliding into my second year of blogging I got to partner with one of the best resort brands out there, Opal Collection. I didn’t get to visit just one property, I went to five properties over a three month period. Every experience at an Opal Collection resort went above and beyond my expectations. It was the kind of partnership I dreamed about when I first started my blog. I got to connect with amazing people, take weekend trips with loved ones, create some awesome content, and share it with my audience. Check out the Opal Collection Resorts here:
- Treasure Island Beach Resort
- Zota Beach Resort
- The Resort at Longboat Key Club
- Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa
- Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa
Partnering with local businesses: With more sponsored posts under my blogging resume, I was confident with pitching myself to more local businesses. This resulted in amazing collaborations with places like Foxtail Estate, Bonefish Grill, and Cocina 214, all located in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Making a passive income: Mediavine hosts the ads you see on TWF. Getting accepted into Mediavine was a game-changer for my monthly income. While some people can get frustrated with too many ads, I’m so thankful for them. Instead of chasing after partnerships and throwing a ton of sponsored posts all over my site, I’m able to focus on the content I truly want to create. I’ve been able to get pickier about the brands I work with, which means I can stay true to my own brand. If you’re a blogger and you’ve been considering adding ads to your website, do it.
Creating relationships along the way: The blogging community has been incredible. It’s like having a tribe of like-minded people that say, “You can sit with us”. There are bloggers and influencers that I admire more than my favorite celebrities. I’ve created online relationships that I can lean on daily. Being in this industry is a challenge, but the support is endless.
Celebrating a 2 Month Break From Blogging
Yep, you read that right. While I’m celebrating 2 years of blogging, I also managed to slip away for the last 2 months. I just disappeared into my own little world and discovered what life was like again without the pressure of documenting every little thing. It took several weeks to release the guilt of not staying on top of all the things, but once I did, I felt more focused, present, and adventurous. I started doing things just for me again, not for the blog. And that’s when I realized that sometimes you have to take a step back in order to move forward.
On July 13th I set out on one of the greatest adventures of my life. I flew across the country, without an itinerary, and just a suitcase, carry on, and backpack. I was filled with fear and excitement, all mixed into one. Many days have involved me waking up and not knowing where I’m sleeping that night, but that’s what this journey is all about – embracing the unknown. Leaving my perfectly safe and comfortable little bubble in Port Orange required a strength I didn’t know existed within me. And with that, the growth I’ve been experiencing is exponential. I feel beyond grateful for this opportunity.
And with that said, there are still so many days where I’m filled with fear, doubt, loneliness, and a lack of direction. With a heart that’s filled with wanderlust, it’s easy to push down feelings that are uncomfortable. When they come to the surface they can hit harder than a ton of bricks. It takes strength that I didn’t know existed in me to pick myself up on some of the hardest days. I realize that not everyone can just disappear from their job for months at a time. However, I learned that not over-sharing every detail of my life to the world is exactly what I needed.
What’s Next For TWF
As I start to ease back into a blogging routine, I’m excited to start sharing more of my story that’s been unfolding this summer. I’ll jump back into travel guides, hotel reviews, and a lot more about navigating life during this wild season. It’s been difficult to put a lot of this journey into words because I’m still right in the middle of it. Processing every day can feel like a full-time job. As I slowly discover all the pieces and parts of this, I’ll share it all. TWF has always been about bringing passion, authenticity, adventures, and inspiration to my audience. So if nothing else, that’s what I’ll hold onto. Here’s to 2 years of blogging and a summer of growth!
