Recently, I had been in a huge blogging-rut. I wasn't motivated, I wasn't getting the usual amount of opportunity emails & recognition, I wasn't earning as much, etc. and I was feeling down about it. There was a lot to do with it, but I think a lot of it was because I had been so busy lately with traveling, school, and work related stuff that I hadn't been putting in as much time, so the output wasn't as good. In addition to that, the transition from Nashville to DC was super hard. I had a good friend as my photographer and her rates were super reasonable and as much as I love the girls I've been working with in DC, the rates are way, way more (duh..everything is in DC), so I can't shoot as many outfits..which is my fave thing to feature. I also feel like the blogging community (not in DC or Nashville specifically, just all over) sort of turned into a huge advertisement/commercial. It all seemed so fake (still does). You'll scroll through Bloglovin and 10 bloggers are all featuring the same brand (looking at you, Old Navy) or the same purse or the same hair product. Whatever it is doesn't matter and we all do it, but it was getting to be too much. All of this was making me feel totally burned out.
I wanted to fix that feeling - stat, so I really took some time to think about the issues. I wanted to get back to the real reason I started blogging. I hated my job. I loved shopping and fashion and pretty things. I needed a hobby. Ta-da: my blog. I needed an outlet to share what my outside-of-work passions were and it was the perfect forum. I was also asked pretty often where I got my dress, or my shirt, or my shoes, etc., so I thought my blog could be a helpful thing for girls to get ideas on where to shop for good deals (I find a ton of my stuff on eBay and sale sites, btw). That's what it was and is all about; letting out a little creative energy and helping my friends/readers put together some classic outfits and find some good deals. Keeping that mind-set is key. It's not about how much commission I get off of each post or how many brands want to collab with me and I don't want to it ever feel like that to the readers. For example, about two weeks ago, I said no to a collab because the brand (which I love) didn't want to pay my fee. Wtf? I'm still mad at myself about that.
Another thing for me to keep in mind is how amazing my blog has been for networking. I'm pretty certain that I wouldn't have met any new people in DC (besides at work) if it hadn't been for my blog. It definitely wasn't started for that reason, but it's been a major benefit. I have met some awesome girls solely because of my blog and I'm so grateful for that.
Focus going forward: I'm not going to make myself post every day if I don't want to. I am only going to post if it's something I'm really excited about or motivated to do. I'm still going to stay consistent, though. I won't be gone for a week or anything like that..maybe during Christmas..still tentative on that ;) I'm also going to try and keep my eye on the prize which is creating classic, timeless outfits out of mostly-affordable pieces that can be used over and over. I think investing in the right items is important, though..so it's not all going to be Gap and F21. So, yea, maybe you'll see the same jeans over and over this fall and maybe the same coat and bag will pop-up every other post, but it's real.
Whew--I hope I didn't lose you. I also hope that wasn't too depressing or that I sound dramatic. Blogging should never be dramatic. I also hope you'll keep following along. I feel much better now that I've gotten that all out in the open and can't wait to get back to what it's all about.
