Falling Out Of Love With Blogging (AGAIN)

Ahh blogging. The reason you've stumbled upon this post is most likely because like me, you've fallen out of love with it. 

For the first year it's all fun and games, excitement, opportunities and new online friends that are quite frankly hilarious. But then you continue through the years and the fun starts to diminish, the excitement lessens and it feels like all those new pals have moved on and done much better than you, leaving you behind in the metaphorical dirt wondering where it all went wrong? 

Yeah. I'm not feeling massively optimistic today so bear with me. 

Back in January I was probably feeling my worst about my blog, I felt deflated and like everything I had done was pointless. I wrote a post about Pressure in the Bloggersphere and felt a sort of cathartic release that allowed me to give myself a kick up the arse and start writing content I enjoyed. 

I starting writing more lifestyle based posts, lists and fun posts that brought me a lot of enjoyment and to my surprise more engagement! I was thrilled, getting 4-5 comments per post seems like nothing to most people but to me it was an amazing achievement and I was delighted. 

But then I started back at uni, and somewhere along the way through my months of hard work and exam revision I lost myself again. I lost that funny person that enjoyed writing posts to make people relate and laugh. I lost the person that joined blogger chats and had started making friends in the community again. I tried to keep up the posts but the more I struggled to fit in the time to write them the more I lost my way and went back to dull review posts that quite frankly everyone gets bored of! 

My engagement dropped significantly, my page views went down and my followers became stagnant. 

I thought once I finished Uni it would come back, I would return to funny Emily who writes lists to make people laugh and create original content. But I didn't. 

Instead, finishing Uni has only made things worse. I have more time to obsess over every minute detail. I spend my days wishing I had the motivation to write and willing a decent post to be written but every time I type up something it just feels forced and unnatural. 

So I've taken some time, had a think about whats holding me back and honestly... it's myself. 

I get so hung up on envy. I wish my blog was more successful, popular, aesthetically pleasing; I wish that bloggers engaged with me more on twitter and that I could form friendships more easily; I wish that my photography was more polished and that my content was more interesting. 

If you're still reading this post and are looking for a point out of it then you may be disappointed as I'm not sure I have a solid point to make. 

I guess what I'm trying to say, is falling out of love with blogging is normal. Feeling overwhelmed by life is normal, and taking a break from it all is normal. But it won't help. 

You can avoid and run away from your problems and feel shit about your blog because of others for as long as you like but it doesn't solve anything. That's what I'm getting my head around at the moment. 

There is no point in being envious over other bloggers, or feeling left behind when you're not doing as well as you thought you would be by now. It doesn't do anything for you other then hold you back. 

SOOO to end on a positive note. Best foot forward an all.  It's time for me to stop comparing and wallowing in a mound of self-pity, instead it's time to get my personality back. To become myself again and not just this bitter shell that sits and feels lonely all day. 

My posts may not be perfectly consistent for the next month as I try to fight my way back to a sense of normality but just know that I'm trying, really really trying. 

If you read all the way to the end then thank you. It is your support that helps me get out of my own hole of self-pity. 

If you're feeling a bit shit at the moment, I hope that my post has in someway helped, even if it's to just remind you that it's okay, it's normal and it's time to give yourself a kick up the arse and get yourself back in the game. You can do it.

My Bullet Journal Flip Through 2016

This has probably been my most requested post ever and I am super excited to share it with you!

I started Bullet Journalling in April as a way of organising myself and providing myself with a creative outlet and it soon took over my life. Not a day goes by when I don't look at my bullet journal and I pretty much solely rely on it to keep me organised and a functioning human being.

The book I chose was a dotted Leuchtturm1917 in Pink. I spent weeks looking around shops trying to find one until I finally found the perfect journal in my local Fenwicks store and grabbed it without hesitation. 

 I feel like the easiest way to show you my journal is through photos be prepared for a lot of photos and some explanation along the way!

Why Your Blog Is For YOU!

I'm feeling a bit ranty today so bare with me. 

I don't know about you but I am getting mighty tired of hearing how we are 'supposed' to blog. 

I have had it with the constant barrage of "do this" and "don't do that" and "be original" or "make it look pretty" mentalities. Because honestly, who actually cares? Your blog is for YOU.

5 Things I Love About Blogging

I've been blogging for 3 years in April. Now that's a long time to be doing something and over the years I have learnt, progressed and grown not only as a blogger but as a writer and as a person. 

When I started this blog I was in my final year of college and didn't really have a clue where I was going with it or with my life and now I'm only a matter of weeks away from finishing my Third Year at University, with a clear idea of where I want to go in life and I think a lot of that is thanks to my blog. So today I thought I would share with you 5 Things I Love About Blogging.

Blog Love - 10 Blogs I Love.

As it is Valentines day I felt it was only appropriate to do a post about something I love. However as I'm not one for that lovey dovey soppy crap I thought I would share with you 10 Blogs that I have been loving recently (or in some cases for quite awhile!) Please go ahead, check them out and share the love!

REVIEW: Blogger Beauty Box - January 2016

We all love a new beauty box right? I know I do and when I found out about the Blogger Beauty Box run by the lovely Vix I was so excited to give it a try. At only £10 a box this is a lovely idea to get your hands on some goodies and support a fellow blogger whilst you're at it. 

Blogger Tips For 2016

I've accumulated some tips over my 2 and a half years of blogging, don't get me wrong I'm not perfect and I definitely need to start listening to my own advice here. So here are the tips that I'm going to following this year: 

Only write what you enjoy -  You would think this is rather common sense but it's really not. So many people write things because they think they will get good views out of it, rather than because they actually want to write it. Write what you love, your passion will shine through and make it more enjoyable to read anyway. 

Make sure you're writing in good English - This is a tad more personal to me as I'm an English Literature student, but all I'm saying is just at the very least spell check your posts. For me blog posts aren't just about pretty photos (Although that's obviously nice as well) but it's all about the well written witty posts that make me like the person writing it, after all that's why we have blogs isn't it? Without the writing it's just a glorified version of Instagram! 

Try to take sharp clear photos - This is one that I'm working on myself at the moment. Obviously the writing is first and foremost for me, but if you're explaining a lip product then I want to see swatches and the colour clearly so I know whether or not to buy it myself. 

Be nice - There is so much hate in the world and the blogging world is not completely excluded from this. Blogging can be quite a solitary path to go down as you are spending many hours on your own creating your content and the last thing you want is to feel like you're not good enough at something that you're devoting part of your life to. So if you see a blogger is having a bad day, or if they've done something great send them some love! Let them know you care! 

Drop the unnecessary pressure - This is something that I've learnt myself over the past couple of weeks. I've always felt pressure when blogging but never as much as I have since I've been daily blogging. I've learnt that who on earth cares if my post isn't up at 7am like I plan. I'm still creating new content, posting it everyday and I'm really happy with what I'm putting out there and that's all that really matters! 

What are your tips for 2016? 

How To Improve Your Blog Photos For £10

Getting nice blog photos has been something I have struggled with since the very beginning of starting this blog. I look in awe at the beautifully designed flat lays that seem to appear as though they have come straight out of Marie Claire and wish that I could create something that looked even a fraction as professional. 

Now don't get me wrong I'm not useless with a camera but I'm not what I would call a professional and I'm still very much learning but I decided this year that one of my goals was to improve my blog photography and get it looking a little more chic. 

In order to do this I thought I could really use a better photography background and after a bit of hunting and a lot of stress I think I have found a great combination that doesn't cost the earth to get sorted. 

The Black Sheep of Blogging

Yaaaas new photography set up. Slightly ruined by my crudely drawn sheep. 

This post is probably going to be quite self indulgent so bear with me. 

Today I thought I would share something that is perhaps a little more personal to me so expect a chatty poorly edited ramble of thoughts. However,  I don't think this is necessarily something that only applies to me. In fact I think it's something that we probably feel at one point or another in the crazy competitive world of blogging...

Being The Black Sheep of Blogging. 

The blogging community is huge. It's growing by the day with new exciting bloggers all keen and raring to go with their fresh minds and enthusiasm. This is amazing and it's one of the things that I love about blogging. However, with all the increasing bloggers everyday it's easy to feel lost in the ether. 

I've had times (and I'm sure you will have as well) when I have had major self-doubt as to my own ability as a blogger. The thoughts arrive like "I've been blogging for two years and no one knows me", "no one likes me", "I'm not as good as them", "why has that person ignored my tweet, do they not want to speak to me?" ... these are all things that I have thought and felt insecure about at one time or another. 

I've had times where I have been convinced certain bloggers didn't like me. Completely unfounded may I add! It's ridiculous but the blogging world is so vast and hectic that it's hardly surprising that now and then you feel left out. 

I have Social Anxiety and that does usually result in me over exaggerating every tiny minute detail when it comes to social situations. My brain over thinks everything and I'm prone to over-reacting if I think I've upset someone or annoyed someone, due to my anxiety kicking in and basically telling me what an idiot I am. When I reflect I realise that actually no, the chances are with so many hundreds of bloggers my single small voice is just getting lost in the masses. 

The reason I wanted to write this rambling little post is because I think this is something that a lot of bloggers feel. Often we feel like we can't talk to "X, Y,Z" blogger because they are "too cool" or that "they won't want to speak to me" this is ridiculous. They are still humans regardless of the following they have, and I'm sure that the majority of bloggers will be more than happy to have a chat to anyone because they are almost certainly having or have had the same inner turmoil not wanting to talk to someone because they are intimidated. 

However its not all doom and gloom and before I end this little ramble,  I will make a special mention to a movement that has helped me no end with feeling part of the blogging community recently and banishing my self doubt. #TheGirlGang (formerly #Girlgang) created by the wonderful Jemma from Dorkface has completely changed how I feel about the blogging community. This (not so) little community of 1000+ people is one of the most supportive networks I have ever found. If your feeling like shit, you will always have someone telling you how great you are and offering support. It's just a really lovely community and I am so thankful to Jemma for having the idea and spreading the blogger love. 

I hope this post actually made sense as to be honest it is a bit of a ramble!

I think to summarise, I just wanted to say. If you're feeling isolated and left out of the blogging world, it's nothing to worry over. You are not alone. It's something we are all susceptible to feeling. 

So pick yourself up, brush yourself off and keep being awesome. 

Pressure in the Bloggersphere

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?