Hey Stars,
I want you to imagine something.
Imagine you have a secret. It’s not a “scary” secret, but it’s a heavy one. For seven years—that’s 2,555 days—I sat right here. I wrote the blog posts you read. I shared the recipes. I sent the emails. From your side of the screen, Lavanda Michelle was “fine.” I was still your Midwest girl, still glowing, still talking about the sparkles.
But there was a catch.
Every time I looked at that little red “Record” button on my camera? My heart would hit my ribs like a trapped bird. My breath would catch. I would look at the lens—that unblinking glass eye—and all I could see was what I was trying to hide.
I was a professional blogger who was terrified of being seen.
You see, a lot can happen in seven years. While I was typing away, my “Ferrari engine” was redlining. I was 249.6 pounds, struggling to catch my breath, and using my words to build a wall between me and the world. It’s one thing to tell a story with a keyboard; it’s an entirely different thing to stand in the light and let you see the struggle in my eyes.
I didn’t “disappear” from the internet… I disappeared from the frame.
I was hiding in plain sight. I was too smart to keep pretending, yet too scared to stop. I told myself I was “just a writer now,” but that was a lie I told to protect my ego. The truth? I was a Ferrari rusting in a dark garage because I didn’t want anyone to see the dents.

But then, something shifted in the silence of these North Carolina woods.
I realized that if I want to help you—my Stars—live your brightest lives, I can’t do it from the shadows. I can’t just give you the “fresh paint” version of my life anymore. You deserve the foundation. You deserve the raw, unpolished, “Chapter Two” truth.
So, I did the one thing that felt impossible. I reached out, I wiped the dust off the lens, and I pressed Record.
I’m finally stepping back into the light. I’m not just a voice in your inbox anymore. I’m right here.
The ghost is gone. Lavanda is back.
What are your thoughts about I Disappeared for 7 Years. Here is the Truth. Please share in the comments below. I really would love to know.
Until next time, shine amongst the stars!
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2,555 days of hiding behind a keyboard. ⌨️ For 7 years, I was a ghost on YouTube, even while blogging every day. The mystery is over. I finally pressed record. 🎥✨ #LavandaMichelle #YouTubeReturn #ChapterTwo #Stars✨ ❤️ #LavandaMIchelle


I’ve been reading your recipes for years, but I never knew you were fighting this hard behind the screen. It makes me look at my own “fine” face in the mirror a little differently today. Thank you for giving us permission to stop pretending. Your “Chapter Two” is exactly what I needed to read this morning.
Wow… this touched my heart more than I can say. Thank you for seeing me beyond the recipes. It’s strange how we can show up smiling while carrying so much underneath, isn’t it? If this gave you even a little permission to stop pretending and just be human, then sharing it was worth it. I’m so grateful you’re here for Chapter Two.
Honest, raw, and absolutely necessary. I’m subscribing to the growth, not the perfection.
Yes! That’s exactly it. Growth over perfection every time. I’m so glad you’re here to take this journey with me.
No more sparkles needed; your truth is shining bright enough on its own. 🌟
Thank you… that means so much. Truth really does have its own glow, and I’m glad it’s shining through for you too. 🌟
I built a beautiful life online while my real life was fighting to breathe.” Lavanda, you just described my last three years in one sentence. I’m tired of the sparkles too. Ready to glow differently with you.
Jenna, I hear you. The sparkles can only take us so far. I’m so glad you’re ready to glow differently—here’s to the real, honest light together.
You said you were a Ferrari in a dark garage, well, the garage door is open now, and we are all cheering you on as you hit the road! 🏎️✨
Yes! The garage door is open, and it feels amazing to finally drive. Thank you for cheering me on—it means more than words. 🏎️✨