Today I'm writing about something that is perhaps more important than a review or a haul. Well it is to me at least anyway.
In the Bloggersphere there is continual pressure to perform. With so many new blogs emerging on what feels like a daily basis it's easy to get lost in it all and feel like your own opinion is becoming less and less valid. You start to compare yourself to 'that' new blogger who's only been doing it for 2 months but have somehow managed to gain 1000's of followers, but you're sitting there with 200 odd feeling like you've wasted 2 years of your life.
You start to feel isolated, like no one could possibly like your blog because your photos aren't as good, your content isn't as engaging and your not as likeable as 'that' blogger. Numbers suddenly become important to you and you feel the pressure to get better stats so people notice you more.
The truth is everyone feels like this at some point and recently I've been feeling more and more pressured to up my blogging game and write things that I think will get views rather than actually enjoying what I'm writing. It's natural that we compare ourselves to other people and simply telling people to "stop comparing yourself" is pretty pointless as it's not a conscious habit, you just automatically do it.
So how do I propose to solve this issue?
Start believing in yourself. Even if you have only 1 follower, that is still 1 person who is actively wanting to read your blog - your content. THEY are interested in what YOU have to say. After all isn't that what blogging is about? Being more personal than the glossy magazine? Having the ability to interact with people that read your words, and give meaningful advice that readers can trust.
How about leaving the statistics and numbers to the glossy magazine that just want to feed you advertisements and let our blogs be that personal interactive experience that we all really want?
Sadly of course numbers will still always be important if you want to get any kind of attention from brands and any of those fun opportunities that blogging can offer but perhaps we should all take a step back and realise why we started before getting carried away with the pressure of it all.
After all blogging is meant to be fun right?
I completely agree with this Emily! I often get caught up in the blogging pressures and I have to take a step back and remember all the good things I love about blogging.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up, I love your blog! :)
Sian xx Cakey Dreamer
Thank you so much Sian, It is so easy to be overwhelmed by the blogging world! xx
DeleteAbsolutely love this post. Couldn't have said it better myself.
ReplyDeleteSarah's Abode -xx
Thank you Sarah, I just felt like it needed to be addressed! xx
DeleteI can definitely relate! Your blog is one of my inspirations, don't loose faith in it!
ReplyDeleteMeg|www.missmegx.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you so much Meg, that actually means the world to me. xxx
DeleteGreat post :) and you actually gave me some inspiration. Be brave. This is your blog.
DeleteAnnie | DrugstoreDreamer
Thank you Annie, that is so lovely to hear xxx
DeleteGreat post, i definitely related to this. I've felt a lot of pressure in improving my photo quality over night. I do plan to eventually get a good quality camera because i want to improve the photos for myself but it's easy to feel the pressure and it's easy to compare our blogs to more successful ones and then start doubting ourselves. But i've learnt the best thing to do is be yourself and i try my best to block out all that nonsense crap. We each have our own uniqueness to bring to the blogging world and that is more valuable then molding your block to mirror that of everyone elses. Your blog looks awesome.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.themakeupaficionado.com/
Thank you so much! It's definitely easy to compare to other bloggers, but you are right we each have our own unique spin on things and that's what makes blogging so great! Thank you xx
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