It’s strange to think that my blog turned one year old this week, it feels both like it should be more and less than that. Characteristically, I’m a few days late celebrating it – questionable health, increasing workload and some lovely guests have all played a part. However, I’m still green enough a blogger to think that this anniversary is somewhat significant and cannot be let go without a mention.

I hadn’t looked at my stats for a while, so this seemed like a good time to do so. And I must admit that close to 25 000 users and over 200 000 page views during my first year make me pretty excited. What makes me even more excited is that these readers come from more than 100 countries. Estonia is still number one, but closely followed by US – mostly thanks to Now Smell This and the wonderful perfume community there – and somewhat less closely by Belgium, UK, Russia and Australia.

Anyway, to mark the occasion, here are 9 things I have learned about myself and the world while writing the blog:
1. I don’t like Twitter. I just don’t. Even simply tweeting my latest post seems like a burden.
2. But I like Instagram! Yes, I’m surprised as well, but of all social media platforms, this is by far my favourite for style, beauty, reading and cooking inspiration (follow @lifeinacoldclimate, if you don’t already).
3. I’m a much more visual person than I thought I was. This may also partly explain point no 2.
4. There is never enough light.
5. Uploading a post will always take at least two times longer than you thought.
6. If you really like something, chances are that quite a few other people will like it, too.
7. Sometimes, people will even like things you yourself weren’t entirely sure about.
8. Planning is great. It’s a sign of a mature mind. But if you’ve been planning something for 5 years, maybe you should just do it and see what’ll happen.
9. Glossy lips are back. More about this in the near future.

Blogging about your own blogging feels very similar to taking selfies: it’s fine if you do it occasionally, but other people will lose interest REALLY fast. So I’ll stop now and say that I have an outfit post planned for tomorrow that I’m very happy with, so I hope to see you back here soon for some serious style action.

Thank you for this year.