Year Five.
Five years ago there was this girl that had no idea what to do with herself.
Like really, no idea. Five years ago to this day. 1826 (.2) days ago. She felt bored and incomplete and like the future was a million miles away but at the same time flying by her eyes and that she would NEVER find her place or happiness in everyday adult life in a way that only overly dramatic, internet-generated twenty somethings feel.
So one day she did something truly horrific and… STARTED A BLOG. She told no one for a few weeks because she was embarrassed and mortified that she was writing things on the internet to this invisible space of nothingness. She wrote about her first crush on Patrick Swayze and her second on Zack Morris and attempted to take photos in the yellowest kitchen to ever exist on a three-year-old camera that had been dropped thirteen times (margaritas were involved) and produced the blurriest jpegs known to man.
Years prior, she had massive fights with her parents because no, she wouldn’t study creative writing or journalism or ANY type of writing in college because WTF was she going to do? Become an English teacher or finish writing the stories she had filled notebooks with when she was ten years old? She was soooo far over that stage and had pushed it out of her brain and moved on to more important things like, well… nothing.
It wasn’t until that girl fell in love with that blog and realized that writing things on paper or screens (preferably paper) was what she really wanted to do, no matter how ridiculous her made-up words sounded or if she could only write like she talked or how much she loathed every single thing that landed on the lined page from her pen or the screen from the keys.
She went through incredulous moments of self-doubt and comparison and confusion. And also big fat moments of self-realization and growth and happiness. She made actual invisible friends that were real. And LOTS of mistakes. She made accidentally phallic sorbet and went through multiple pizza, taco and burger phases. She wrote a book! She hated the book, but then she loved it. She had one goal – to remain genuine and keep the people that read it her number one priority.
She wants to thank you! For an awesome five years and for placing your eyeballs on her words everyday even when they don’t make sense or have anything to do with salad or cheesecake. For continuing to read even when she writes annoying stuff in the third person. She loves you bigtime.
160 Comments on “Year Five.”
I love you! I have been reading for way too long (just kidding) and I feel like the words that come out of your mouth are the same thoughts I have in my brain all the time- especially this post. I need your courage. I started a blog- took it down and constantly think I should do it again.
Legitimately DYING in my cubicle after the reference to the phallic sorbet. You have always and will always be my favorite blogger! Cheers to another year of neons, booze, and bacon! (and a baby to come!)
This is awesome and so inspiring! Keep up the good work!!
http://www.lonestarlauren.wordpress.com
We love you too, Jessica! You are seriously an inspiration, you are one of the first food bloggers I started following and I’ve adored coming on your awesome and frequently hilarious journeys. Can’t wait to see you in Philly in two weeks!!
Congratulations on 5 years! Your blog is so special, this post is so sweet. : )
This is adorable. I just started my blogging journey, and as wonderful it is… it IS scary and challenging and intimidating! So big, deserving congratulations on 5 years.. that is impressive!! I hope I can make it that long!
Congratulations lady!!
I LOVE you and I love this, third-person and all ;) You’re insanely inspirational – thank you for keeping it real and fun! Crossing my fingers that I get to enjoy your work for many more years!
I just love your blog! I’m so glad you decided to quit everything and pursue it professionally! I see lots more success for you in your future! Thanks for keeping it real!
Cynthia
http://www.sensiblysharp.com
Wow, so inspiring to see how far you’ve come. I only just started last year and would love to be half as good as you! :)
I love you1!! Yay!!
We love you too!
LOVE!!!! You, your blog (your voice!), your book, your words, your neons and makeup and ability to “trash” any food up in the best, tastiest ways ever. Thank you for everything!!!! And please keep it coming!
You are an inspiration Jessica – for those of us still struggiing to find our “voice” and our niche in this universe. BRAVO!!! Much love to you today and every day.
Yes! The phallic sorbet!! Such a funny post!
Love this!!!!
So inspiring. Will be trying out some of these treats :)
https://godshiddentreasure.squarespace.com/
I recall those early years, girlfriend. Happy to see you chugging along wonderfully and making your mark. Keep up the awesome.
Congratulations! What a wonderful blog post to sum up an amazing 5 years. I’m grateful that you took the plunge to blog and decided to continue since. Can’t wait to get my hands on your cookbook! xo
We love you Jessica!! Also, I loved this third person story! Great narrative as always!
Love everything about your blog and cookbook! Keep on with it!
Want to hear more about baby sweet crumbs!!
I simply love your blog!!
Check out my new food blog, I think it is going to be fun and exciting in time :)
http://www.lifeandthelemons.com/
Congrats on 5 years Jessica! It’s incredible to see how far you’ve come. You are truly inspirational!
Thank you for entertaining us each and everyday!
You’re awesome!
Been here since year two, and you’ve been one of my google chrome tabs ever since. Congrats on all your success! Please keep posting delicious food.
Happy Blogiversary! Here’s to many more :)
Congratulations – I echo everything else the others said already… thank you for making the internet a more fun and delicious place!
I LOVE this post (well, I love every post – but you know when I mean). I’m so happy that you did start this blog – without it, I would have never become blog-friends with you or met you! You’re the best, Jessica. Keep up the great work with How Sweet It Is and Seriously Delish. And more! xo
You are awesome, truly one of a kind! Congratulations on all of your (well deserved) success!!
5 years?! In that time, I became a nurse, joined the Navy! And moved across the country! Thankful to have you and your yummy food as a constant to get me through the rough times! I still LOL at your chocolate chip cookie post and hatred of raisins :)
Thanks for the words and the food and the stories. I have only (very) recently started reading and cooking your recipes, already have your book and well, obviously I’m hooked. Cheers to you! Congrats!
Congrats on the five years, Jessica! I’m glad you found your true calling. I’ve only been following your blog for about six months, but I love your posts and recipes. I hope to see many more of your quirky posts. Your story is truly inspiring.
Congratulations! I love your blog and have been reading since the first year. .thank you :)
Congrats! I look forward to seeing more and more from you :) You’re an inspiration.
So happy for you and that you decided to create this little space. I’m thankful to have you as a friend!
Thank you for writing and for your amazing recipes! Every one that I’ve tried has turned out well. Love your pics too.
Thank YOU! I’ve never been a reader of blogs, but a couple years ago somehow stumbled across one of your football food posts. I made the beer Mac n cheese and the white pizza dip for Super Bowl, and was hooked! Plus my husband and brother in law said you were hot :) so keep it up, I’ll be reading every post!
Love you! Happy 5!
Cheers to five great years, and many many more! All your success is well deserved!
So glad I found your blog and hoping to make it to the Ferry Building event in San Francisco. Should I bring the special sorbet? That post and your reaction when you realized it was awesome! I am kind of sad that photo didn’t make the collage. Sprinkles forever!!!
Aw what a sweet post! And congrats on your blogoversary, that is such a long time and you’re still going strong! It’s always encouraging to hear about people who’ve found their passions in life, that really is the dream.
But maybe you could still write a book while blogging, eh? *winks*
Of all the food blogs to which I am subscribed, yours is my favorite. You have proverbially taken me by the hand and introduced me to such food wonders…all the while sharing your thoughts and aspirations in life. Thanks for being the wonder that you are and bring a ray of joy to my life.
Isn’t it just the best feeling when you look back on your life and realize your right where you wanna be no matter how difficult the path you choose was? Keep on keepin on girl!
Happy, happiest five years Jessica! I totally adore your blog! I love your recipes and your very real, very genuine style! Your fabulous!
Congrats on 5 gorgeous, delicious years! and your book is fabulous!
Thank goodness for you!! You give me inspiration for when I just don’t feel like cooking dinner and you give me a laugh for days that are gray. I love, love, triple love your blog and your recipes and you! Happy anniversary!
The feelings you described in this post, in a very self-depricating yet incredibly insightful way, really resonated with me. So glad you have found your happy space. Thanks for sharing it with us.
And we’ve loved every minute of it!
Thanks so much for a wonderful 5-year ride! Looking forward to many more “Jessica adventures” in the years to come!
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