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Exactly one year ago, today, I was publishing my first blog for LivingBetterWithOli. I still can’t believe it! I have to be honest with you and tell you that it was never in my plans to get into blogging. I still remember sitting in my spare time and reading the blog by Jazmine Star (one of my idols) and thinking that maybe I could create a blog related to photography and lifestyle. The idea was hovering on my mind for a long time.
In the spring of 2016, I made a trip to visit my parents in Cuba. It’d been almost 6 months since I’d last seeing them. It’s a tradition in my family that when I go to visit them, in the afternoon we sit down to talk and catch up, over tea or coffee, with what’s been happening with our lives since we last saw each other. During our conversation, I was talking to them about the idea of starting a blog. The first to support me was my boyfriend. My parents are from a different generation and do not understand much about the subject. Although lately my mother is the first one who asks me for my super camera (so she calls my Canon DSLR) to take my pictures and share on social media. It is fun!
My boyfriend and I set the plan in motion and to this day he is the one who supports me with the photographs and reviews my grammatical mistakes. I have to confess that I do not have the best grammar in the world, if you follow me for some time you probably have found some grammatical misspellings, I am sure of it!
In the beginning, LivingBetterWithOli started as a photography blog. I would also share my travel trips and some recipes. That was it! If you go to my first few posts, you will realize that there are no pictures of me. Back then, I was afraid to share too much into my life or receive the rejection of my followers. I was not ready for that! Finally I gathered enough courage to go out to the public spheres and I feel very happy about it.
I have learned many things during this year and one of them is never stop dreaming. Dreams come true. Trust me! This blog has been a great challenge for me and here I am in front of you celebrating our first year and I hope there are many more.
LivingBetterWithOli has now changed its dynamics. We’re still sharing photographs, but we are leaning more towards fashion and promoting some products that come to me from companies looking for influencers. It’s so comfortable to work on something you like!
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Every day of LivingBetterWithOli
Throughout this year I confess that it has not been easy at all. The fear of being rejected by the social media world has an effect on you in a way that your muse or inspiration doesn’t show up at times and you end up days and days thinking about some content to create. One of the things I have learned is that it is very important to feel good with yourself.
LivingBetterWithOli in Miami
This blog started in the city where I lived for many years, San Francisco, California. Last year when I visited Miami for the first time I felt I wanted to live here. It feels so good to have sun all year. I love San Francisco and I confess that I miss my city a lot, but I felt that I needed a change and here I am, living a dream. It was a couple of crazy months, with everything that’s involved in moving across country including my two puppies, but finally here we are in the city of the sun :).
An intense year
Let’s see. There have been more than 40 blog posts and more than 200 posts on social media. Wow! I’m so proud to have done it! It has been a little bit of everything, from sharing with you my daily life and my favorite recipes to my travels through what I like the most, photography.
I still can’t believe that it’s been 365 days since my first publication, San Francisco: The City Where I Live. I have shared with you the travel trips I’ve done from a year ago up until now: Miami, Chicago, New York, Madrid, Lisbon, Bangkok and Bali. On all these trips I have learned a lot. Each and every ne of these cities have marked my life, but I want to highlight Bali. For many years my dream was to visit this place. I’m very happy to have made my dreams come true. The famous rice fields, the incredible sunrises and sunsets, my visit to Elephant Safari Park where I was able to bathe and feed Melanie (my favorite elephant in the world). They were incredible experiences. Reflecting back, while I live in the first world, I still have not seen a look as transparent and full of light as that of Didi and Joni, the young guys who treated to us at the villa where we stayed.
Thanks
I want to thank all my followers, without you LivingBetterWithOli would not had been possible. At the same time, thanks to the companies that have entrusted me their products to promote. Also, I’d like to thank my parents who have always supported me throughout the good and the bad. Last but not least, my boyfriend, who although remains in the shadow, is the one who supports me in everything and gives me encouragement to continue every day on this crazy adventure. Thank you all!
XOXO Oli
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23 Comments
Robert
Happy Anniversary. This post is amazing!
Oli Dufort
Thank you so much Robert
Karen
This dress is amazing! Happy 1 year Anniversary 🙂
Oli Dufort
You are so sweet Karen. I appreciate your support. You are right! This dress is amazing
Claudia
Congratulation on your 1 year anniversary, dear! Cheers to many more!
Claudia
Oli Dufort
Thank you Claudia. Cheers to many years more
NAthAlie
First of all, CONGRATS on the success you have accomplished in one year with all your hard work. I’m so happy for you. I love the pictures, the dress is amazing and your maltese is so cute ❤️
God bless you!
Love,
NAthAlie
Oli Dufort
Thank you for all!!!!!:)
Claudia
Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary, dear! Cheers to many more!
Claudia22@gmail.com
Oli Dufort
Hi Claudia,
Thank you so much. I am so happy to read your comment :). You are so sweet, dear Nathalie.
Lauren
Olivia, you look beautiful and congrats on your 1 year! I always love reading your blog and you are a beautiful example of how much a blogger can grow in a short time.
Lauren
Oli Dufort
Thank you so much, my dear Lauren.
Nelly
Hey Oli
A BIG congratulation to your blog success … It’s rather a milestone and hard work always brings a smile to any faces. A very lovely post! 🙂
Oli Dufort
Thank you 🙂
Tatianna
Hi Oli
You are such an inspiration and have become so successful in such a small span of time! So happy for you. Happy anniversary!
Oli Dufort
I am so happy to hear this. Thank you! ✨
Karina
Hello Oli
This post is awesome! Congrats, y’all!!! I really enjoy every blog that you have written. And please please keep your instagram JUST like it is! It’s perfect. I really love how every Instagram isn’t an ad. And your eye for it is incredible. Every one is inspiring. Congrats on year!!! you earned it!
Karina
Oli Dufort
I don’t have words to describe everything that I feel when I read your comment. Thank you so much, my dear Karina
Cindy
Congrats. Love reading your blog. You have great content. Congratulations
Cindi
Xxx
Oli Dufort
Thank you so much Cindy 🙂
Sheila
Such a great post! Congratulations for all the hard work and success! I’m following for a while now (3 months maybe) and I love all your content!
xx
Oli Dufort
Thank you Sheila. I hope to continue here 🙂
Tracy Kelly
Thank you for being an inspiration with your posts. Congratulations!