My Blogging Journey: Then and Now

My blogging journey didn’t start the way it looks now. It was messy, inconsistent, and honestly a little all over the place—but it was mine. Over the years, my blog has changed in ways I never expected, from the design to the content to the way I show up online. Looking back at my old posts and layouts feels both nostalgic and a little surreal, but it also reminds me how much growth can happen quietly over time. In this post, I wanted to share a look at where I started, how things have evolved, and what this journey has really been like behind the scenes.

Where It All Started: I Am Amsterdamedd (2015-2016)

My very first blog was called I Am Amsterdamedd. Even now, the name feels like a snapshot of a different version of me—one that was still figuring everything out, but excited to have a space of her own on the internet.

Looking back, the design was simple and a little imperfect. The layout, the sidebar, the mix of widgets—it all reflected what blogging felt like at the time: experimental, unpolished, and full of curiosity. I didn’t have a clear niche or direction. I just wanted to post, to share, and to be part of something.

One of my early posts, #REALTALK: PARENTS, captures that phase perfectly. It wasn’t about aesthetics or strategy. It was honest, a little raw, and written without overthinking how it would be received. That was the kind of freedom I had when I first started—before analytics, before consistency, before trying to “get it right.”

There’s something special about that version of blogging. It wasn’t perfect, but it was genuine. And even though my blog has changed so much since then, I can still see the beginnings of everything I create now in that very first space.

A New Beginning: Written by Winnie (2016-2019)

After my first blog, I created Written by Winnie during a time when everything in my life felt like it was shifting. I had just gone through a breakup in 2016, and this blog became a quiet space for me to start over.

This time, things felt more intentional. Even in the design, there was a sense of identity beginning to form—the soft pink tones, the handwritten-style logo, the cleaner layout. It felt like I was starting to understand not just what I wanted to say, but how I wanted it to look and feel.

The content reflected that shift too. My posts became more thoughtful and personal, like Why It’s Good to Start Over With Your Blog. Writing wasn’t just about posting anymore—it became a way to process change, to make sense of things, and to slowly rebuild confidence in myself.

There was still a sense of figuring things out, but it felt calmer this time. More grounded. Written by Winnie wasn’t just another blog—it was a reset. A place where I could begin again, both creatively and personally, without needing everything to be perfect.

Looking back, I can see how much this phase shaped the way I blog today. It’s where I started to care about intention, not just output—and that mindset has stayed with me ever since.

Finding My Aesthetic: Blush and Peony(2020-2021)

After Written by Winnie, my blog evolved into Blush and Peony—a rebrand that felt more aligned with the visual and creative direction I was growing into.

This was the stage where everything started to come together aesthetically. The soft pink tones, the clean layouts, the feminine details—it all felt more cohesive, like I was finally creating a space that reflected what I had always been drawn to. It wasn’t just about writing anymore. It became about the full experience of the blog—how it looked, how it felt, and how everything flowed together.

At the same time, my content began to shift too. Posts like The Things I Want to Focus More On showed a more thoughtful and intentional side of my blogging. I was starting to think not just about what to share, but why I wanted to share it. There was a growing awareness of balance—between beauty, lifestyle, and more personal reflections.

There were also deeper moments during this time. Posts like My Secret Project: My Blogging/Photography Space! carried more personal weight, blending creativity with real life changes happening behind the scenes. Blogging was no longer just a creative outlet—it had become something intertwined with my life, my environment, and the way I processed different seasons.

Looking back, Blush and Peony feels like the bridge between where I started and where I am now. It was the phase where I began to understand my aesthetic, my voice, and the kind of space I wanted to create—not just for others, but for myself.

A Softer Space: Hello, It’s Winnie(2021-2022)

After Blush and Peony, my blog evolved once again into Hello, It’s Winnie—a version that felt softer, calmer, and more aligned with the kind of space I truly wanted to create.

This iteration felt more personal right from the start. The handwritten-style logo, the light, airy layout, and the gentle pink tones all came together in a way that felt intentional but not overwhelming. It wasn’t just about having a “pretty” blog anymore—it was about creating something that felt like a quiet corner of the internet.

The content reflected that shift too. Instead of trying to fit into a specific niche, I allowed myself to explore a mix of beauty, lifestyle, and more thoughtful, slower content. It felt less like I was trying to keep up, and more like I was creating at my own pace.

Over time, this space also began to take on a slightly different role. While my main blog continued to evolve, Hello, It’s Winnie became a place I could return to for comfort—something a little more relaxed and personal. Even now, I still have the URL, and I’ve started using it as a cozy, gaming-focused blog. It feels like a natural extension of what it was always meant to be: a space that doesn’t need to be perfect, just genuine.

Looking back, this version of my blog represents a kind of quiet confidence. Not everything needed to be rebranded or reinvented anymore—it just needed to feel right. And in many ways, Hello, It’s Winnie was the first time my blog truly felt like home.

Refining My Voice: La Vie de Winnie (2023)

After Hello, It’s Winnie, my blog took another turn and became La Vie de Winnie. This phase felt quieter, more refined, and more focused on intention rather than exploration.

Visually, everything became more minimal. The darker header, the clean layout, and the simpler structure created a space that felt calm and uncluttered. Compared to my earlier blogs, this version didn’t rely on soft colors or decorative details as much—it leaned into simplicity instead. It felt like a reflection of a mindset shift, not just a design choice.

The content followed that same direction. Posts like 5 Myths About Minimalism showed a growing interest in intentional living and thoughtful consumption. I wasn’t just sharing for the sake of posting anymore—I was becoming more selective about what I wanted to put out into the world, focusing on ideas that felt meaningful and aligned with how I was evolving.

This phase of blogging felt more grounded. There was less pressure to constantly reinvent and more focus on clarity—on what I valued, what I wanted to say, and how I wanted my blog to exist.

Looking back, La Vie de Winnie represents a quieter kind of growth. It wasn’t as visually playful as my earlier blogs, but it was deeper in a different way. It marked a shift toward intention, simplicity, and a more thoughtful approach to both blogging and life.

Coming Into My Own: Sincerely, Winnie (2023-2024)

After La Vie de Winnie, my blog evolved into Sincerely, Winnie—a version that felt like a quiet return to softness, but with a much clearer sense of self.

Visually, it brought back the gentle, feminine elements I had always loved—soft florals, light tones, and delicate details—but this time, everything felt more balanced. It wasn’t overly styled or experimental anymore. It felt intentional, refined, and calm in a way my earlier blogs hadn’t quite reached yet.

There was a sense of ease in this phase. I wasn’t trying to figure out what my blog should be—I was simply creating in a way that felt natural. The layout, the imagery, and the overall atmosphere felt cohesive without needing to overthink every detail.

This version of my blog felt more like an extension of me rather than something I was building from the outside. It held onto the softness of my earlier blogs while carrying forward the intention and clarity I had developed over time.

Looking back, Sincerely, Winnie feels like a turning point. It wasn’t about starting over anymore—it was about settling into a version of my blog that finally felt aligned, both creatively and personally.

Where I Am Now: WinnieXYong.com (2024-)

Now, my blog lives at winniexyong.com—and for the first time, it feels less like a rebrand and more like a continuation of everything that came before it.

This version of my blog isn’t about chasing a perfect niche or constantly reinventing myself. It’s about returning to the basics and creating a space that feels intentional, calm, and honest. A place where beauty, lifestyle, and everyday moments can exist without pressure.

There’s a quiet shift in how I approach blogging now. I’m no longer trying to keep up or post just to stay consistent. Instead, I focus on what I genuinely want to share—whether that’s a beauty edit, a travel diary, or a reflection on something I’ve been thinking about. It feels slower, but more meaningful.

Visually, it still carries pieces of every version of my blog. The softness from earlier phases, the intention from La Vie de Winnie, and the balance I found with Sincerely, Winnie—they all exist here, just in a more grounded way.

More than anything, this version feels like acceptance. I don’t feel the same pressure to “start over” anymore, because I’ve realized that every version of my blog was part of the process. Nothing was wasted. Everything led here.

And maybe that’s what this journey has been about all along—not creating the perfect blog, but creating something that continues to grow with me.

Final Thoughts

Looking back at every version of my blog, I can see how much has changed—but also how much has stayed the same.

Each blog held a different version of me.
I Am Amsterdamedd was curious and unfiltered.
Written by Winnie was emotional and searching.
Blush and Peony was where I found my aesthetic.
Hello, It’s Winnie felt like comfort.
La Vie de Winnie brought intention.
Sincerely, Winnie brought alignment.

And now, with winniexyong.com, it feels like everything has finally come together in a quieter, more grounded way.

For a long time, I thought I needed to keep starting over to get it right. But looking back, I don’t think any of those versions were mistakes. They were all part of the process—each one teaching me something about what I value, what I enjoy, and what I want my space on the internet to feel like.

My blog doesn’t look the same as it did when I started.
But in a way, it still carries pieces of every version I’ve ever created.

And I think that’s something I’m finally learning to appreciate.

Your Turn

If you’ve ever felt like starting over—whether it’s with a blog, a creative project, or something in your life—you’re not alone.

Sometimes growth doesn’t look like a straight line.
Sometimes it looks like changing directions, trying again, or creating something new from where you are now.

But that doesn’t mean you’ve lost anything along the way.

Every version of you still matters.
Every attempt still counts.

And maybe starting over isn’t really starting over at all—it’s just another step forward.

🤍