Thoughts On The Blogging Industry & Why I'm Focusing On My Journey
Some open thoughts on recent changes in the blogging world, future predictions and why I'm doing my thing!...
Images shot by the INSANELY talented Alex Cameron - wearing ALL John Lewis (here)
I thought it was about time I opened up and shared some honest thoughts on blogging, how it's changing and my current focuses within the industry!...
Blogging is a funny old thing, eh?!
I started my blog a little over six years ago and oh how it's changed over the years (mainly for the good, a little for the worse).
I used to take #OOTD snaps against the brick wall of our uni house using my old iPhone or write about internships and what I was spending my *lack of money on. So, in that sense it's changed DEFINITELY for the better LOLZ.
The other week I was in Barcelona with my best friend (who is in no way shape or form a blogger or social influencer), and she was the one who brought up the subject of the blogging industry and the nastiness within it, that particular weekend a few catty remarks had gone down on Twitter and the whole industry was having a shit storm.
She was like 'Woah, somethings going down on Twitter and to be honest it makes all bloggers seem like bitches', I could totally see her point but was like that is absolutely NOT the case.
I have met (both online and offline) SO many incredible bloggers within this industry, who have supported me during my blogging career and personal life, who share my tweets or comment on my blog posts, or who have offered a shoulder to cry on or snap some outfit shots.
It's an industry that I'm SO proud to be a part of, there are so many pinch-me moments that I see daily of incredible bloggers launching their own clothing ranges, or books, or becoming the face of a beauty brand, or just sharing a bloody amazing post that I want to share with the world!
It made me sad for our industry, sad that people feel the need to call others out, and sad that people that aren't within our industry are making opinions based on the minority. I was always bought up with the mentality of 'if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all' and I genuinely can't SECOND THAT enough right now!
Don't get me wrong, of COURSE we aren't going to love everything we see (the world would be a darn boring place if we all likes the same images/outfits etc), we're well within our rights to have an opinion, but unless it's constructive or supportive I don't agree with sharing it.
I just don't believe in negativity at all to be honest with you all, I think there's no need for it. I'm a true believer of surrounding yourself with loving, supportive people both online and offline as it makes my world a much brighter place.
If a friend said to me 'Oh Hayley, I loved that image, but how about if you shot it like that?' - I'd be like thanks babes, I never would have thought of it and I'd always appreciate the advice/feedback.
Think about it - you unleash one crappy remark/tweet on someone, but yet you don't know what's going on in their life.. what personal battles they are fighting. Yes, they might be strong enough to take on your hate, or they might not read it. But you might have affected them in a way you fail to realise.
I don't believe that anything good actually comes from sharing something bad, so this is just a small note from myself to this community that I'm SO very proud to be a part of, one that I have watched grow and flourish, that let's be kind to each other, let's support each other, comment on each others work and share some love.
And remember, if you don't have anything nice to say, then that's absolutely fine, but maybe just don't say anything at all!
Sooooo, this blog post absolutely WASN'T meant to be a negative/rant post - just sharing a few thoughts on the industry and how I think it could bounce back for the better! With that in mind, I'm going to share some of my favourite blog posts that I've been reading lately and some absolute GIRL BOSSES who inspire me on the daily! Let me know who your favourite bloggers are - I'm always looking for new blogs to read!...
- Victoria from Inthefrow shared her '5 Girl Bosses That Keep Me Inspired' post this week which I LOVED!
- The lovely Hannah announced her pregnancy and I'm literally overjoyed for her and Chris - mum of the year award goes to... <3
- One of my favourite ladies; Sophie only bloody got MARRIED, had a honeymoon in NYC AND got a kitten (YES, you need to visit her blog right now!).
- My girl Jess shares 8 thing that she learned on her first solo trip (you know I'm an AVID solo traveller fan!) - a great read!
- My WIFEY shared the most INSANEEEEE ASOS swimwear look book which will make you want a holiday/ASOS swimsuit right now! (I most definitely bought the gingham bikini after reading Amy's post!).
- The lovely Lindsey opens up in an honest post about how she juggles two jobs - bloody adored this, so refreshing to read!
- Ultimate BABE Lizzie shares some UNREAL snaps of her ASOS holiday outfits from her recent trip to LA, and I'm literally in LOVE!
- It's 25 Happy Moments for my GALS birthday over on Megan's blog - this post made me smile from ear to ear the whole way through!
- A BEAUTIFUL post from my love Megs on body image and how are are all ENOUGH! A must read! <3
- A refreshing & honest post on orgasms from Carly - I genuinely couldn't love/agree with this post anymore!
Having shared some of my favourite bloggers and their recent content that I've been loving, I wanted to shine a little light on how I'm favouring working, going forward!...
I started distancing myself from the blogging community recently, I don't think it was intentional, it just kind of happened. Don't get me wrong I'm still very much active in terms of supporting others, commenting on stuff I love and sharing their bloody amazing work.
But when it comes to industry events and meeting with other bloggers I just tended to shy away from invites, I kind of realised that it just wasn't making me happy. I've made some wonderful friends in this industry who I speak to and see regularly but I realised that I just didn't want to attend events, have to feel like it was my first day of school as I walked in and felt like I knew no-one and proceeded to make small talk.
A while back I was thinking about what's really important in my life, and figured that rather than rushing about to events, I wanted to spend time with the people who matter in my life, my boyfriend, my family and my girls. I still love supporting brands and seeing my blogger pals but I just found it all too overwhelming, and well a little bit fake.
I wanted to just DO ME. To focus on my own blog and what was going on in my life rather than meeting with other people and hearing all about their incredible stories, only to walk away feeling a little bit like a failure.
Sometimes we have to do what's best for us, and so from here on in, whilst I'll be supporting my blogger pals left, right and centre, I'll also be taking a little bit of a back seat to focus on my own journey.
"Self Confidence Is A Super Power. Once You Start Believing In Yourself, Magic Starts Happening" - Pinterest
What are your thougths on the blogging industry right now? What are your favourite blogs to read! I LOVE discovering new ones, so please share!