Blogging - The Truth | Lifestyle

There’s been a couple of articles/ discussions social media wars and plenty of blog posts about the old blogosphere recently and it’s got me thinking how much has the blogging world changed over the years.

I started out my blog many many years ago. I started out under a different name and platform but I’ve been using this one for a couple of years now so I think it’s fair to say I’ve been doing it long enough to notice the changes. I started out because I wanted somewhere to share my new lipstick with, my thoughts on my travels and of course somewhere to post my outfit shots. I never intended for people to read or to take an interest in my ramblings let alone follow them! I’d also studies fashion and covered areas of PR and marketing and thought blogging was an amazing way to put my creative touch on things. I started out and I loved doing it. 

Until this year I’ve never taken it seriously. I didn’t promote my blog, I didn’t post daily or even weekly for that matter just when I felt I need to outlet somewhere. This for me was always a hobby and hadn’t thought about the possibilities it could bring. Now I’m certainly no ‘big blogger’ by the stretch of anyones imagination but I do it because I love it! Recently I’ve been taking it much more seriously and have finally linked all my social media platforms together along with my blog so I can grow my brand together - it’s only taken about 3 years but there we go I’m getting there.

I’ve read so many comments about how people feel disheartened and uninspired since a certain article appeared (I’m not going to go too much into detail as I think it’s been discussed far too much I just think it was very badly worded and didn’t get her point across properly) but that shouldn’t be the case. If you love something so much why stop? Does it matter how many artists are out there? How many singers or dancers? No because if you love a hobby why stop doing it because there is so many of them? I absolutely agree there is a lot of bloggers but you know what? We all write very differently. We all have different opinions and very different markets and that’s what makes blogging great!

Now don’t get me wrong it’s not all fancy cups of coffee and blow up unicorns it’s hard work. I have two jobs and manage a blog and social media platforms on my own. I have to physically make time in order to ensure my content is up, ready and scheduled to make sure I stay active (hey I’m on holiday as we speak drafting up three different blog posts for the month ahead) There is no rest as a blogger. Every trip, every lunch and every social event is an opportunity for content. Your friends and family begin to stop before a meal or drinks for you to be able to create that perfect shot. Every restaurant is scouted for the perfect table or menu so you can always be on the top of your insta game. Blogging is hard work and not for the lazy put it that way.

Many people have the misconception blogging is lounging around in your pjs until dinner time until you go shopping for a new outfit to post on Instagram. Now I wish I could say that was true but unfortunately it’s not. Blogging is 24 hours a day. Most of us work full time (we all have bills to pay and bellies to feed - not just a lipstick fund to cover) Our weekends are spent making use of the very little day light hours (thanks Britain!) and our evenings getting the posts written up. Sometimes I can be up till 2 or 3 o clock in the morning and up for 5 am for my “real” job. It’s hard work but why do we do it? Because we love it!

Companies for some reason still don’t take bloggers seriously. They want free advertisement for no fee. They expect you to work for free and that’s not fair. Bloggers work really hard and put hours into their work and it’s about time that companies started to realise that.

Blogging can all be very catty. Now I’m not tarring every one with the same brush as I have met some lovely people through blogging. Some amazing girls and some fab supporters but it can be very mean girls like. It’s only natural a group of girl bosses who all want the big campaigns, who want those dream jobs it’s just a sad fact that it happens.

I say if you’ve got the time and the waffle then go for it! No-ones opinion or comments should change your mind on what you enjoy spending your time doing!