Hi guys! Welcome to the grand opening of my website, SamanthaRue.com! I am so excited that you guys are here and that this is actually happening! 

Some of you may be new readers and some may be returning friends, I just want to welcome you and thank you for your support in this part of my journey. I wanted to give you a little background info about my blog and my journey so far and I also wanted to share with you the vision of my new blog and what you can expect. 

You probably came here and the first question in your mind was regarding the two words that are attached to my blog name, Bravery and Perfection. Below, I explain the meaning behind that and why it is so important to me. So grab a cup of coffee or tea, maybe a snack and lets chat!


Sweater and Dress: Parque Choker: Little Pieces Of Hope Shoes: Target


A few years ago when I first started my blog, I didn't even know what a blog was. I simply wanted a way to let my creativity out and so I made a blog! For the first year of having my blog, I kept it very hush, hush and didn't want anyone knowing that I had it because honestly, I was just embarrassed. I always thought it would never actually go somewhere and grow, so why share it. After a year, I really started to have an itch for blogging, so I was searching for ways to get my blog out there and get it to grow and that's when I stumbled upon Bloglovin.com. Bloglovin' is a site where bloggers can discover each other and follow other blogs, it's basically like Facebook for bloggers. I started finding so many amazing people and reading their posts and that is where my idea of blogging grew. I saw that these ladies actually have made a career out of their blog and I began to desire that for myself too! I wanted to do something that I loved and was passionate about for a living, and blogging was it! 

After I found out about Bloglovin' I knew I had to start putting my blog out there. I started by commenting on other girls posts and leaving my link for them to go check out, I found so many other ways to get connected to amazing bloggers, and then I began to share my blog posts on my Instagram for all of my peers to see (this was the most terrifying part of the whole process.) I was so scared to put it out there for everyone to see before my blog was actually making it BIG because I was just shy about the whole thing and not very confident, but as soon as I started sharing my blog, I grew in my confidence so much and realized that people and my friends are so supportive and people actually are interested in your life! The more I started sharing my blog, the more I started getting new followers and forming relationships over Instagram that I never would have otherwise. I was learning and finding out so much about what having a blog meant and I was learning fast!

I have now, been seriously blogging and doing social media content for about a year and it's time to take that next step. A year ago when I got serious about my buisness, I just prayed and asked the Lord to use this blog and my Instagram for His Glory. I didn't want it to be out of my own works, but I kept giving it over to Him and asking The Lord to allow it to grow. No, I am not saying that I just sat back and did nothing, I definitely worked at it, but I know that none of this would be happening if it wasn't for the Lord allowing it. I also learned so, so much from an amazing couple, Cara and Justin, who taught me how to use Instagram for my buisness. If you are wanting to step up your Insta game make sure to check them out!


For the people who come across my blog and my Instagram, I desire for them to see joy and not from me but the Lord's joy in me. I want people to experience Him when they come here, whether they believe or not. I don't want this to be a place that people feel judged or don't feel accepted, but I want people to come here and feel that they can get encouragement from me and others. I go through all the same problems that you do and I desire for us to come together as friends and go through life together.

The reason why I labeled this blog post "Bravery Over Perfection" and why that saying is in my logo is because we as humans, always strive for perfection but perfection will never be accomplished. With my blog being a lifestyle blog, I often talk about fashion and beauty, now with fashion and beauty comes the battle of striving for perfection. Whether you are a man or woman, I know we all deal with the battle to be perfect in one way or another and I want you to know that it is not possible to achieve. We are chasing after something that isn't possible for humans, there is only One who is perfect. We should, however, be striving towards bravery in every part of our lives. I have dealt with this in my own life. I struggle with anxiety and when you really get to the root of it, it has a lot to do with confidence. I will do a whole separate post on my anxiety in the future and won't get too into it today. 

That is what I wish for you to gain when you come here. I want you to know that although I talk about fashion and beauty, perfection will never be accomplished. We all see other peoples Instagram and think "wow their life is so perfect, I wish I had their clothes, their house," their whatever it may be, but people only put what they want other people to see on social media. EVERYONE has something they are dealing with in their life, no ones life is perfect so we are tricking ourselves when we wish someone else's life could be our own because nobodies perfect (Yes, Hannah Montana was correct.) 

We can all achieve bravery in our lives whether that is in the way we think about ourselves, our happiness, our goals, honestly every area. 
So how can you seek bravery over perfection in your own life? Maybe it is finding what styles best fit your body type, or embracing your freckles, or your scars. Whatever it may be, find bravery in those details that make you, you!  


In this next year and so on, I am striving for bravery. Are you with me?


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