When you decide to become a blogger, there are many important decisions you have to make.  Color scheme. Subjects to write about.  How you’ll handle all the fame when the first book deal comes, and what shoes to wear when you are asked to be on a segment with James Corden.  But probably more important than any of this (and it is all important) is what you’re going to name your little slice of the internet.

When Meri and I decided we wanted to write a blog coming up with a name was probably something we struggled with the most.  I mean, it’s like naming a child (I’m assuming, I’ve never given birth).  You want to send it out in the world with a name the intrigues people, makes readers feel connected, ultimately, make readers like they’ve found a home.

We were stumped.

Then I got to thinking. About a year and a half ago, I went through a pretty devastating break-up that really left me questioning everything.  I didn’t know who I was, or really what I even wanted for my life anymore.  While that sounds cliché, most clichés are built in truth, so there ya go.  During this time, which included spending many hours under the covers scrolling Pinterest and crying my eyes out, the word “grit” started showing up.  I noticed it in Facebook comments left on my page.   I saw it in quotes that resonated with me. I am a firm believer that things that are supposed to be in your life fall in a pattern and “grit” was starting to become part of a pattern. 

According to the Webster dictionary grit means firmness of mind or spirit : unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger. I love that.

Grit is getting up and going when something seems impossible.

Grit is deciding you want more from the life you’re living

Grit is getting tired of your own BS and deciding to just do it.

I also really love the idea of “glowing up.” I think when we reach adulthood, we have the tendency to think that our growing is done.  We’ve done something Peter Pan would condemn.  However, just because you’re an adult, doesn’t mean your learning journey is over.  You can spend the rest of your life, trying new recipes, going new places, learning more about your body and how to feed it, and how to be stronger.  If you do all those things, you really start to glow up.  But it takes courage. You will want to give up. That is when you need grit.

I want my life to exemplify grit.  I never want to stop growing or learning to be better.  So, it seemed like “grit” and “glow”  needed to be a part of our blog’s title. It’s just coincidence they sound so good together.

And that, dear readers, is why we are called “Grit Up, and Glow.”

When were some times you needed grit? Let us know in the comments!