Keeping it Real....

So, welcome to my typical chilling out garb. Pom pom slippers and trusty sloppy trackies. Bet you never thought you'd see tracky bums on a 'fashion' blog! But there again, I thought I'd take the opportunity to talk about the nature of blogging in general and how some bloggers feel pigeonholed by their looks, wealth (or lack thereof!) and followers in terms of how they rate their own blogs.
There are probably a handful of really, really popular blogs who most people will have on their blog roll. Then I think there is a tertiaty level where there are 'big' blogs who have maybe a couple of thousand follwers-again, maybe you follow a few like these. Then there is a third level, with blogs with maybe a few hundred followers (I think my blog would fall into this category) and then there are blogs with a few followers, maybe bloggers who are just starting out.
Over a couple of other blogs just lately I've been reading posts around the subject of 'it's not fair-itis', where some bloggers are posting around subjects of 'this blog has more followers than mine because...' and usually these reasons evoke feelings of unworth or even a little envy. I suppose the only thing to do in such circumstances is consider a moot point: Why are you blogging? What's your purpose? My blog was only ever concieved as a platform to promote my written work. I love to write and I would like to freelance maybe at some point in my life so I thought it would be useful to have a blog as a sort of 'living portfolio' of all the pieces of my work. As my confidence with blogging grew I decided to branch out into outfit posts; these were recieved with mainly positive reviews and so I carried them on, but that was never the purpose of the blog in the first instance.
I've made no bones about the fact that sometimes I find it hard-I sometimes lack inspiration, and of course, I have the same moments when I look at other style blogs and feel like the elephant in the room, like, what am I doing here? I don't feel like my style of blog fits in with what a fashion blog should be like, but there again, thats what makes it mine. All my followers are really important to me, but I've got to stop hanging my hopes on getting a lot more; it feels like a popularity contest! You guys always leave me great comments and I really appreciate them, but here's the rub: I'm not a model, nor an excellent photographer (Adrian is, which is why my outdoorsy shots are so much better!) and yes, I wear tracksuit trousers and pompom slippers of an evening. I am THAT cool. (not!) I think I can write a little, and I appreciate the fact that you guys read and comment, it's of great wonder to me that anyone would take the time to read and comment but I relish every comment I get and I do really enjoy writing my posts and so it's just a lovely outlet for me to be able to put my thoughts and ideas and wants out there and to get all the reactions that I do.
Blogging is FUN and I think thats what it should stay. Whenever I get to a point where I think 'I can't be bothered' I walk away from it for a day or so-whats the point in forcing yourself to do something that you should want to do for the sake of interest? I always think that if I have nothing important to say, I won't waste your time! If I wouldn't want to read it, I shan't bother writing it.
Without wanting to sound all Brady Bunch on you, you guys are unique: keep it so. I don't want to read ten of the same blog-which is why I follow blogs of all shapes and sizes, covering all sorts of topics; and I relish in the fact that they're all their own.
Bloggings a funny old world isn't it. Do you guys have ups and downs with it too? Are you hell bent on making your blog the next big thing, or are you quite happy to just use it as a platform for a creative outlet? I'd love to know your thoughts.
xoxo
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Anonymous said...

Girl, I couldn't agree more! :) I love your comfy look! Keeping it real is the way to go! <3

I feel ya! I blog when I want to. I don't force myself to do something I don't want to. I blog because I enjoy it and it doesn't matter how many people comment on mine or follow me as long as I enjoy writing and sharing things about my life!

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo, Bree

http://vivalabreee.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

On the subject of followers, I'm your newest! So just, hi, and wanted to say that I love your blog. Only discovered you recently but I'm enjoying reading some of your archives. I mostly like craft/crochet blogs but do like the odd fashion/foodie fix. Loving the pom pom slippers, glam in an odd way! :-)
Nicki xx

Anonymous said...

I have no idea what initally sparked my blog, other than the fact ive alllwaayss had something to say about fashion, and i think my friends were getting bored of me nattering on about it! haha

I think i was inspired when asos launched their own mini-facebook for fashion lovers!

I try to write everyday but sometimes i just dont know what about.. and others i find myself wanting to do about 20 posts!

Your blog is great.. and one of the few i actually read rather than just flicking through the pics!

xxx

Lyndsey said...

I am SO glad you posted this. Lately, I've been striving to find my purpose in blogging since I have such an odd style and since I can't wear heels. I feel that heels make an outfit eccentric, and I don't wear them because they make me ten feet taller than I already am. I also fall in the few hundreds followers, I feel like I have repressed thoughts in my mind always knicking at me saying, (well if you had good style, wouldn't you have more followers by now? wouldn't more people want to read and comment on your blog?) But I repress them and search for inspiration endlessly. Sometimes it works.. other times it makes it worse. My body shape isn't the most flattering when it comes to the lastest trends, and I feel that my style is very boring to those I see dressed on chictopia, lookbook, etc. But reading this made me realize that I should be thankful for my style, that I'm different in my own unique way, and that fashion is just an outward expression of who we really are on the inside, not what we want others to see. We all have to remember that we are just human beings, we all eat, we all sleep, and we all have a life to live. We should be happy just the way our life is, and if we're not, well change it! But do it for YOU. Not for popularity, followers, or imagination! Pretending gets old fast. Be who you are and say what you feel on your blog. If you've gotten followers now, you'll be sure to get more in the future. Followers aren't just followers, they're your sisters too!

You're amazing Amie, don't ever doubt yourself and you keep this amazing blog going! I love your unique style and I love reading what you have to say. I may not comment every now and then but that's because my life is so hectic and moving that I have to keep up with it! I'm always lurking in the shadows, just remember that! <3

And sorry for the freakishly long comment! lol

xo
lyndsey of hellolyndsey

Paint it Black said...

Amiee you are amazing and it is your writing that I love you have a great way with words I on the other hand have no creative writing skills at all and of course you have amazing style which you know I love.

I feel like this too my pictures are not creative they are all done in my garden I did invest in a better camera but do find it hard to use the features as it is stuck on the end of a tripod lol but I do it for me it is great that people care enough to follow and comment but I only really started it coz I had a lot of free time on my hands and wanted a hobby.

Keep on with what you are doing as I think we all feel like this and I suppose it is life xoxo

wee-h said...

Its weird, I've been seeing all these posts on my reader about people complaining about popular bloggers but I have yet to see an actual complaining post!

Who is writing this stuff - do you know? Or is it one person moaning?

Anyways, thanks for the blog, I am relatively new but enjoying reading, whatever you are doing, I like it :)

Smidge

P.s I can't comment with a self hosted blog, so you are getting my weird google profile!

Vix said...

Amie, I love your writing style, your intelligence shines through your posts and you're stylish and beautiful, too.
I follow a multitude of blogs, I don't think there's a common theme, I'm more attracted to a witty and warm writer than a blog laden with professional photographs and a wannabe model in contrived poses.
I agree, there are a lot of blogs I read bitching about not having many followers or not getting the concept that to get supportive followers you have to reciprocate. One can be gorgeous and stylish as can be but people won't leave comment if they can't bond with the blogger and get some conversation going.
Hope that makes sense. x

Anonymous said...

LOVE this post hun - I agree with everything you say! When I first started I did have 'ups & downs' and I felt that I 'should' post about certain things. Now I just blog for myself, and I use mine more as a scrapbook/photo diary - it may mean that sometimes I don't do outfit posts for AGES which some people might not like, but I don't want to be pressured into doing something that I'm meant to get enjoyment out of! I love your blog especially because it is a 'normal' one (if you get me!) and your personality really comes through every post! xxx

Anonymous said...

Love this post. I've definitely had ups and downs with blogging. Mine actually started as a part of my degree, but I decided to carry it on. Wanting to get into Journalism one day means its an ideal place for me to practice my writing as well. I sometimes wonder if I should include outfit posts, as they seem the most popular element to blogging, but I don't think I have to confidence for it. A lot of the time, I don't even have inspiration for blogging so it can be quite sporadic.
But for me, I like a blog that has a personal element, that feels 'real', and is well written. I like to look at 'normal' girls own style, as opposed to designer-clad girls, as it feels a lot more inspirational, like it's something I could actually achieve myself.
I absolutely love your blog. I love that your style is yours, you suit the whole tailored look so well, and I love that you always add your own little quirky element. Yours was one of the first blogs I came across and loved, and I still love it now.
I've rambled on, argghh. sorry! ha :) but yes, I love your blog. And you should definitely be proud of it, no matter how many followers you have!

xxx

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