Yes, it is true. A year ago today I wrote my very first post. Little did I know back then how attached I would become to this little blog, how many wonderful and loyal (and really, really, ridiculously good looking) readers it would attract, what incredible little treasures I would uncover, how many amazing people I would meet, what mind-blowing opportunities would come my way because of it. Little did I know…

It is impossible to put into words how I feel as I write this post. I feel humbled, honoured and privileged that so many of you visit these pages every single day. I do not take this responsibility lightly, as you guys put an amazing amount of trust in me by doing so. We live in a world of information overload – there is so much to see, read and hear every single day. It is because of this that I do not take your attention for granted.

I’ve been thinking back to all that time, all the months I spent contemplating starting this blog, and all the excuses I came up with for not doing it – too busy, no time to blog regularly, not knowing if I could actually write, if anybody would care to read it, being just another blog amongst billions out there… I can still remember this anxiety and tension between absolutely dying to share all the stuff I had been collecting over the years, all this information that was simply busting to come out, and at the same time feeling the sense of dread, the fear of I-have-no-idea-what… fear of the unknown I suppose. It all seems so trivial and so silly right now, as I truly cannot imagine my life without Yellowtrace. It’s strange – this blog has become such an important part of my day and a true extension of who I am, that I simply cannot recall the time when I wasn’t blogging. And so far it’s turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done. Hands down.

 

So why do I tell you all this? I guess I just want to be honest with you guys. I know that so many people out there seem to think that I was “born to blog”, that I’m some sort of a “natural” at it (btw, just to clarify, this is not what I think, this is what others have told me, not having known the truth about the doubts I’d had before starting this blog). So if you have a project of your own which has been sitting on hold for quite some time, no matter what it is, I encourage you to simply do it. Just like that. No more thinking about it, no more silly doubts. Just lean into it as you ask yourself this question – What is the worst possible thing that can happen? I suspect that the answer is not going to be nearly as bad as you might imagine it to be. Then weigh up the up-side and do the maths – if the up-side outweighs the hypothetical down-side – it’s a no-brainer really. Yes or yes?

Anyway, that’s enough from me. I hope that our next year together can be even bigger and better for us all. And as I said in my first post – thank you for flying with me… still.

Yours truly,

Little Miss Yellowtrace x

 

[images via here and here]



About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

25 Responses

  1. Sara

    Congrats! Such a great celebration of achievement and believing in yourself. Thanks for the post, thanks for your blog and thanks for being an inspiration.

    Reply
  2. Husband

    What an amazing ride this first year has been. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.

    Happy 1st birthday yellowtrace!

    x

    Reply
  3. Jenna

    Wow that year went quickly – Congratulations and happy birthday Yellowtrace! Thank-you for being one of the most entertaining and inspiring design blogs to read – I look forward to my daily little email from the URL with the yellow dot x

    Reply
  4. Linda from OEKE

    Yellowtrace has hit a milestone
    A big ONE YEAR anniversary today
    I’m sure I’m not the only one who
    wants to say congrats and yipeeyah

    Well done Dana – you’re the best (-:

    Reply
  5. Mark Leib

    So very well done D….A massive achievment,and so much more to come….
    mark ;)

    Reply
  6. Kate

    Congratulations! What a lot to achieve in only one little year!

    Always look forward to your posts – thanks so much for brightening my days :)

    Reply
  10. Vanessa

    Well done Dana.
    Just so you know, I only subscribe to one blog and yellowtrace is it!
    Thank you for the inspiration and laughs. Looking forward to the coming year.

    Reply
  11. yellowtrace

    Oh man! How extremely lucky am I? You guys are such a wonderful bunch – honestly. Thank you for your well wishes and all your support. This blog wouldn’t be half of what it is without you guys. If I didn’t have your readership and your support, I would have stopped blogging ages ago…
    Extreme love,
    x dana

    Reply
  13. Justine

    That’s so awesome Dana! It’s amazing how much you have achieved with yellowtrace in just 12 months! You’re a superstar. Congratulations!! xx

    Reply
  14. Gabrielle

    Warmest Congratulations Dana!

    Your post today really hit home as I have (finally) started my blog about a month ago – after all the same doubts, fears and uhming and ahhing that you went through… And I am so glad I did!

    You are truly an inspiration and it’s great to see all that you have accomplished in a year’s time! Well done!

    Looking forward to the year ahead :)

    X

    Reply
  15. Suzie

    And inspire you do!! Congratulations and a big thank you for brightening up my lunch breaks:-).

    Suzie x

    Reply
  16. Lauren

    Congratulations! Yellowtrace is such a fabulous blog, you always find the coolest and most interesting stuff to blog – I love it (often I think, why didn’t I find that, gosh she’s good! he he) Blogging is so fun (sometimes I get obsessed), I find it a bit of a creative outlet when work is a little dry.

    Really look forward to what’s instore next year – love your work!

    Lauren

    Reply
  17. Galit

    Congrats Dana and happy 1st BlogBirthday Yellowtrace!
    May you grow and keep blooming!

    Keep up the great {writing}work!

    Galit xx

    Reply
  19. Cathie

    Happy Birthday yellowtrace!

    It’s been a wonderful year Dana… I’ve loved reading your blog and it definitely is a “go to” page when I’m trying to procrastinate (not that I do that very often…)

    I wonder if husband bought iPad so he could play… yes?

    Cath xx

    Reply
  20. Minga

    AWESOME JOB! Thank you for inspiring me to greater levels of understanding and for the courage you give me through our chats and reading this blog, for a year of giggling at your comment and tangents and for raising the bar of design (and on the odd occasion raise mine… mop and bucket to reception, ploise!)

    I look forward to many more years of it all,
    HAPPY BLOGGING BIRTHDAY YELLOWTRACE XXX

    LOVE Minga

    Reply
  21. Sarah-Jane

    Ah love, what can I say? Simply brilliant! We too cannot imagine a life with yellowtrace. WELL DONE! It really is a perfect piece of you, and part of my daily routine. xx

    Reply
  23. dai

    dear yellowtrace,
    wow i didn’t notice that this blog only exits for 1 year! i though it is here long long time…:)
    thank you so much for your inspiration and beautiful eyes. really in such information-overload days, yellowtrace is one bright star in my Google Reader!:)

    Love,
    a reader from Taiwan

    Reply
  24. food sponge

    Congratulations! To achieve so much in just 1 short year is incredible. Keep up the great work & thanks for all the inspirational design.

    All the best for yellowtrace’s future!

    food sponge

    Reply

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