A Final Farewell

Today marks the end of my journey with Penny Pincher Fashion.  It’s hard to believe that this is the very last blog post I will ever write.  I have so many mixed emotions that it’s hard to articulate exactly how I’m feeling.  In some ways, it’s terrifying; in some ways, it’s thrilling; and in some ways, it’s a little sad.  Even though it feels like saying goodbye to a dear friend, closing this business also feels like a weight being lifted off of my shoulders. This post explains the next phase of Penny Pincher Fashion. Be sure to continue following on FB and IG!

When I first started my site, Instagram was just newly established and Pinterest was an invite-only platform.  So, as a blogger, I was only responsible for creating content & responding to comments on my site.  But, now that things have shifted so drastically & the focus has become increasingly more on social media, it has been a significant struggle for me.  I didn’t sign up to be an “influencer” – that term wasn’t even around when I began blogging & that has never been something I’ve desired.  To be honest, the more that this industry has changed, the more I have found myself wanting out.

When my Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in October 2019, we made the decision to move back to Oregon so I could caretake for him…and that was really the moment when everything shifted for me.  When you have a loved one who is fighting for their life, suddenly nothing else matters.  I didn’t want to take pictures of myself in cute outfits or talk about the latest sales – I wanted to pour all my energy into loving & caring for my Dad and spending every spare moment with him for whatever time he had left.

This new purpose I was embracing put everything into perspective – it became very clear that this job couldn’t be my priority anymore & it would have to take a back seat.  The less & less I worked on blog-related tasks, the more & more I found myself dreading it when I had to do a brand campaign or sponsored post…because my heart just wasn’t in it anymore.  And feeling the pressure to “keep up” on social media while simultaneously performing the daily duties of caretaking for him was causing me so much stress because it’s simply impossible to do both jobs well.

When I launched PPF in 2011, God opened doors & paved a career path for me that I had never even envisioned for myself.  And now, a decade later, it’s become very clear that He is closing those doors and that it’s time for me to move on.  This is a major leap of faith for our family (financially speaking) – we aren’t quite sure how we are going to make ends meet going forward.  I don’t have another job lined up yet and my husband’s work situation hasn’t changed either.  But, I’ve finally reached the point where I need to prioritize my mental health above all else & do what is best for my family.

Even with all the uncertainty about what lies ahead, I can honestly say that I’ve never felt more at peace about the ending of a chapter.  I’m ready & eager to embrace a simpler life – one where my work isn’t tied to how I look; one where social media likes don’t equal success & one where I can devote my time to serving my family & my local community without feeling like I’m burning the candle at both ends.

Of course, like any farewell, it’s somewhat bittersweet – there are definitely things I will miss.  Before I go, I want to recognize all of you who have been so incredibly kind & supportive over the last 10 years.  The blessings I am carrying with me as I leave are the close friends I’ve made in the industry and the countless readers & followers who I’ve been able to connect with one-on-one in a meaningful way through DM’s and emails and face-to-face encounters.  I am truly grateful for your support & encouragement through the years – it has been such a tremendous gift to me and is something I will never forget.

This has been one wild & crazy ride – I’ve learned so many lessons about discipline, grace, humility, perseverance & compassion.  I wouldn’t say that I haven’t made any mistakes – because, if given the chance, there are some things I would do differently.  But, I’m proud that I can look back on the last 10 years & confidently say that I always stayed true to who I was, that I never missed a single deadline and that I truly gave it my all.  I know that I am walking away from this stronger than I was when I started & with a heart full of gratitude for every opportunity I’ve been given.  Thank you so much for joining me on this journey!