Blogging: Serious Business?

Okay so this is a bit of a different post to my normal beauty rambles but its something I feel I need to get off my chest and share with you guys. Perhaps I can get your opinions on the matter too? It’s probably something we’ve all thought at one time or another. So, here goes. My question is ... When did blogging become so serious?

Back in 2011 when I sat down to write my first ever blog post – I didn’t imagine for one minute that even ten people would read what I have to say, never mind over 11,000. With this being said, adjusting to the constant pressures of blogging has been quite tough for me. I know everyone says ‘you should blog for you and not care what anyone else thinks’ and although I don’t particularly care per-se, there’s still a pressure lurking over me that I have to always be the absolute best version of myself because if I’m not, there’ll be people waiting to jump on my weaknesses and pick me apart. I just find it pretty sad that blogging has gone from something I did to escape the pressures of day to day life to one of those pressures itself. Whether its feeling like my photography doesn't compare with other bloggers, feeling like my posts aren't interesting enough, not being able to reply to tweets or emails as quickly as I'd like or not having flawless makeup and hair in an Instagram photo - there's always a pressure of some kind. I wish it wasn't like that but unfortunately, it is. Standards are set in the blogging world by some phenomenal bloggers - people who do this as their full time jobs and people who are constantly pushing out creative and inspiring content. However, as someone who blogs on the side of a full time job for a bit of fun (which is the majority of us), the pressure of feeling like I have to keep up can get too much. 

Now I’m not trying to say I don’t enjoy blogging anymore because that would be a lie – I absolutely love writing my blog. I’ve met some amazing people through it and have had some wonderful opportunities. I did journalism at university so writing has always been a passion of mine and I view my blog as a creative outlet – somewhere I can escape and write about the things I love. I just wish it didn't come with so many pressures. Blogging for me was never and never will be about the number of followers I have or how many likes I get on an instagram photo. I really couldn’t care less. Those things come gradually with time and although its amazing to know people enjoy what I write and I do feel proud of myself for what I’ve achieved, it really isn’t my main priority – just a nice bonus. Now I’d be lying to you all if I didn’t say I’ve had moments recently when I’ve thought ‘this is crazy’ after expressing an opinion or making an innocent comment only to be made to feel bad for doing so. Over time I've learnt to accept that this is just part and parcel of being a blogger but the point I'm trying to get across is - should it be this way? Have we found ourselves in a day and age where we can’t express a harmless opinion online and have to 'put up' with things just because we choose to write a blog? Would we put up with these things if we didn't? Probably not. I wish people could be kinder to each other and speak to one another with more respect. We’re all different people and we all have our own likes and dislikes in life - if we didn't, the world would be a boring place.  However, blogging is supposed to be fun and having a blog shouldn't mean we're a target for negativity. We're all still normal people after all. I bet most bloggers day to day lives really aren't as exciting as you'd imagine - mine certainly isn't - quite the opposite in fact! Just a bit of food for thought :)

I guess what I’m trying to say here is – what happened to the friendly blogging community I used to be part of? I always viewed it as a place I could  turn when I wanted a chat with fellow bloggers about the ways and woes of life or have a ramble about my favourite beauty products. I really think blogging gets taken waaaaay too seriously these days and bloggers are put on some sort of pedestal as people that should never dare do or say anything that might (unnecessarily) offend someone. If people would take a step back into the real world and realise that bloggers are in fact completely ordinary girls (and boys!) that share a passion they want to write about it, maybe things could get put into a bit more perspective. Life is way too short for that rubbish and I just want to enjoy writing my blog the same way I did when I first started - when nobody was reading other than my nanna and my auntie. After all - blogs are only a place on the internet where people write about the things they like or their day to day life - it shouldn't get so political. 

Blogging is something anyone can do - you don't have to have any special skills to get involved - just a passion for what you're writing about and the motivation to keep it up. My friends often say 'Kayleigh - how on earth do you find the time to work, blog and socialise - you must have serious dedication' and although it is a struggle sometimes, I continue because I love it. I also really enjoy getting to know lots of likeminded people but I'd much prefer to do that in a more friendly environment without any added pressures. If I want to make a lighthearted joke or upload a photo looking like a scruff - I should be able to do that without any repercussions. We should be supporting and encouraging one another - not putting each other down or making each other feel bad because there was a few typos in our latest post or we looked less than perfect in a selfie. Isn't there more to life?

I think its so important to just enjoy your own little space on the web and don’t get so caught up in everyone else’s. If there’s bloggers you love - make their day by telling them. Its nice to be nice. If there’s blogs you aren't so keen on, my advice would be... don’t read them. Its pretty straight forward when it comes down to it and everyone should be able to enjoy blogging in their own way and their own style without feeling compared to others. As the saying goes “you can be the juiciest peach in the world and there’ll still be someone who doesn’t like peaches!”. Just remember – this is blogging, not a competition. Its meant to be fun and enjoyable - a creative outlet, a hobby or our own little 'happy' place to share the things we love and enjoy in life. If we could all just appreciate that and more importantly appreciate that its okay to not be perfect or the best at everything, blogging included, the blogging community would be a much happier place. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this and sorry if I'm coming across as a ranting Rita - I'm really just trying to be honest with my thoughts and I hope you can relate to what I've said in one way or another.

Do you wish blogging wasn't taken quite so seriously?

Lots of love,

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