Heartfelt Gratitude to the Temptalia Community Over 17 Years

Words often fall short when expressing my deep gratitude for all the incredible readers who have supported Temptalia throughout the past 17 years. Your unwavering presence has been a constant source of motivation, with moments where even a simple kind word from a single reader could brighten my entire day. I want to extend a special acknowledgment to the wonderful members of Temptalia’s Discord community, who have provided exceptional support time and again. The path my life has taken is significantly shaped by your encouragement and ongoing engagement; I cannot emphasize enough how profoundly my experiences with Temptalia have enriched my life, as well as positively influenced my family and community.

Reflecting on the Life-Changing Impact of Temptalia

I genuinely can’t imagine where I would be today without the existence of Temptalia. This platform has offered me a fulfilling career for nearly 13 years, something many people dream of but few actually experience. The achievements I’ve garnered in my life stem from the opportunities Temptalia has provided. I take immense pride in my journey with Temptalia and how it has shaped my identity. The support from our community—readers, brands, and family—has been instrumental in the success we’ve achieved together, and I am forever thankful for this collective journey.

Opening Up About My Mental Health Journey

It’s time for me to share a personal struggle: over the past four years, I’ve faced significant challenges with my mental health, and it’s only in this year that I’ve started feeling a sense of normalcy again. My passion for Temptalia waned around late 2019, and when your entire life revolves around something you once adored, losing that love can take a serious toll on your mental well-being. It took me quite some time to recognize that my disconnection from Temptalia was a major factor in the deterioration of my mental state, compounded by the lack of alternative outlets for joy.

Unpacking the Reality of Working Long Hours

For a long time, I dedicated over 80 hours each week to Temptalia without fail, often not feeling like it was work at all. It felt like a dream job, one that brought me fulfillment and allowed me to support my family. However, as time progressed, those hours that once filled me with joy began to turn into a source of misery. I found myself pushing through tasks without the enthusiasm I once had, which only worsened my situation as I continued to follow the same routines that no longer brought me happiness.

Balancing Reader Expectations with Personal Well-Being

For a period, I felt compelled to keep going out of fear that stepping back would disappoint my readers. I held onto the hope that my enthusiasm would eventually return, so I kept pushing myself. While not every day over the last 17 years was the epitome of joy, I managed to navigate through tough weeks or months, relying on my love for the community to sustain me. However, by early 2020, I found myself on the brink of a breakdown, constantly teetering on the edge of tears and struggling to manage my emotions.

Recognizing the Need for Mental Health Support

Amid personal challenges that contributed to my heightened anxiety, I realized I could no longer live with such overwhelming feelings. It was during this time that I sought help and began taking anti-anxiety medication, which proved to be a significant turning point in managing my anxiety and navigating through the rest of that tumultuous year. This step offered me clarity about how far I had neglected my mental health, highlighting the importance of prioritizing self-care.

Processing Grief and Loss: The Impact of Magellan’s Passing

Then came the heartbreaking loss of my beloved companion, Magellan, which has been the most devastating event of my life thus far. This experience marked my first profound encounter with grief and loss. While I felt a sense of closure and no regrets about his passing, the absence of such a significant presence in our lives took considerable time to process and heal from. As a beauty enthusiast who tests eye makeup, it is rather inconvenient to find oneself tearing up multiple times throughout the day!

Welcoming New Joy: Winston’s Impact on My Life

A few months later, Winston entered our lives, bringing a renewed sense of joy and focus during a challenging time. His arrival provided me with a new hobby, allowing me to channel my energy into training, nurturing, and bonding with him. Raising him has certainly had its challenges; unlike Magellan, who was a model puppy, Winston presented a greater degree of difficulty in training. Nevertheless, his affectionate nature and cuddly demeanor have made every effort worthwhile, consistently bringing joy into our lives.

Fostering Puppies: A New Chapter in My Life

In early 2022, with Winston thriving and full of energy, I approached my husband about the idea of fostering puppies for a local rescue. Fostering had long been a dream of mine; however, previous experiences with dogs that were not compatible with Magellan made it difficult to pursue. My husband agreed, and I welcomed my first pair of foster puppies, only to accidentally break my hand within 24 hours of their arrival. I didn’t realize the injury was severe until weeks later, which halted my fostering plans. Instead, I chose to volunteer on-site at the rescue for several months, dedicating hours each morning to help. This experience lightened my heart and lifted my spirits, revealing just how much I had missed during the previous years.

Taking Steps to Reduce Stress and Manage Pain

As I grappled with limited mobility in my left hand and persistent pain in my right from overuse, I realized the need for significant changes in my approach to Temptalia. I started implementing strategies to minimize stress and lessen the time required for tasks. These adjustments included using bullet-style lists, which our readers appreciated, as well as entering duplicates without overextending myself. Additionally, I reduced the number of images I took and edited, all aimed at streamlining my workflow and enhancing my well-being.

Recognizing Burnout and Embracing Change

During this transformative period, I came to understand that I had been operating under some level of burnout for years. I recognized the necessity of allowing myself to make larger changes, even if they might upset some loyal readers, to prioritize my health and well-being. These adjustments have proven to be immensely beneficial; I transitioned from a constant state of pain to only experiencing discomfort after particularly long editing sessions. The relief of having just one day of pain instead of a continuous week has been worthwhile and transformative!

Transitioning to Part-Time Work for Improved Well-Being

As someone who has experienced prolonged burnout, making changes can be daunting, particularly when it comes to implementing them subtly. I find it essential to announce my intentions publicly to hold myself accountable, which is why I am officially transitioning from full-time to part-time work at Temptalia over the coming months. This decision is vital for me to create the time and space necessary to explore what this new phase looks and feels like. After nearly 17 years of operating at full speed, adjusting to a more measured pace will be a significant, yet necessary, change.

Anticipating Changes and Engaging with the Temptalia Community

While you may not notice immediate changes right away, I have several weeks of content already prepared. By the time we celebrate Temptalia’s 17th birthday in October 2023, you will likely feel the impact of these adjustments. I plan to evaluate how many posts per day align with my new approach and how I want to curate reviews of brands and products. I’m eager to carve out more time to experiment and enjoy the makeup I have. If there are particular elements of the site you would be reluctant to lose, please share your thoughts as we explore archiving certain features that may be deemed non-essential or less utilized. This isn’t the end; it’s merely a transition to the next exciting chapter of Temptalia!

Embracing New Joys and Fulfilling Experiences

I am hopeful that by giving myself more time to explore paths that bring me happiness, I can reignite my passion for Temptalia. These new paths include volunteering, continuing to foster dogs, and spending quality time with my family. My experiences with fostering and volunteering at the local rescue have been transformative, offering solace during difficult moments. They have illuminated the profound fulfillment I find in serving others, reminding me that my love for helping readers enjoy their beauty purchases is what truly enriched my life over the years. Now, I am committed to embracing avenues that provide me a renewed sense of purpose.

Celebrating Support: Acknowledging My Partner in Life

Lastly, I feel incredibly fortunate to have a partner in my husband, Shaun, who has been my unwavering pillar of support for over two decades. He embodies everything I could ever ask for in a partner. Without his support during these last few years, I wouldn’t have been able to navigate the challenges I faced. I also owe much of our success in building other platforms outside of Temptalia to his brilliance and guidance. He is truly the best, and I love him beyond measure!

Sharing My Journey: Embracing Vulnerability and Looking Ahead

Thank you for allowing me to share the thoughts and feelings that have weighed heavily on me for the past few years. I finally feel ready to embrace vulnerability and to move forward in a meaningful way. I look forward to implementing these changes and remaining open to the adventures that lie ahead!

Love & Lipgloss, Christine