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| I'm wearing: Baseball jacket - ASOS Denim tee - New Look Necklace - vintage Leather look jeans - New Look Trainers - Superga |
I mentioned a few weeks ago that one of the things I learnt last year was that this blog actually means something to me. Whether it's scribbling away post ideas in my battered notebook whilst waiting for a plane or editing photos whilst sat on my sofa and watching Parks and Rec on repeat, my brain is always buzzing about what I can do next and how I can improve what I put out here.
It's an odd feeling because I already have a career path. I've worked in social media for six years and I'm doing pretty well at it. When I left to go travelling last year I wondered if I was pursuing the right goals, but now I actually like my job (now I'm back working in an agency, anyway). It's just that this blog is a weird hobby/job hybrid that I just can't seem to decide what to do with. I make a few pounds here and there which is nice, but I mainly love creating something. I'm no good with my hands and I'm not what you'd call 'artistic', but I love to publish things here. It's digital but it feels tangible.
So at the weekend, I met lovely Katy for brunch to pick her brains about what I do next (because she is absolutely smashing it right now so is basically my blogging guru). We chatted about Pinterest, photo editing, content planning, tone of voice, the dreaded Instagram 'theme', and I realised something. I like my blog. Do I want more traffic? Sure. Would I want to do it full time? Of course! But do I want to sacrifice everything else I have for that goal? A well-paid job that allows me to travel, socialise and pay off my credit card? Actually, probably not.
Walking around Notting Hill post-brunch we nattered some more and snapped away at pretty coloured houses whilst waiting patiently for our turn to pose in front of them (that area is like catnip for bloggers). I scoped out new places to add to my never ending brunch wish list and made a promise to myself to head back to west London more often. I'm starting to feel comfortable with wanting to be creative but not actually wanting my blog to be my job. I've watched as other people grow and develop and bring in the moolah, but honestly, I just don't want to. And I'm OK with that!
I'm not saying I won't put effort into this blog, and things definitely aren't going to change drastically around here; but I am determined to shake it up a little. Blogging may just be a hobby, but it doesn't mean I don't want to do my best. Stick with me, lovely readers!
Well you're looking all kinds of fabulous, I really bloody love those leather look jeans. And, weirdly, I wrote a blog post on this exact same thing today-I have a job I like and sure, it'd be nice to create constantly but actually, I like the contrast. I like what my little blog does and I'm not desperate to change that. Love yours too, whatever you're doing is working just fine and dandy. But if you're going to pick anyone as a blog guru-Katy is the one!
ReplyDeleteM x
Ahhhh, Charlie, I wish we were closer and could meet for brain-pickings and coffee and photos in front of pastel-coloured buildings!
ReplyDeleteI've been wrestling with a lot of the same questions recently: I've never wanted to blog as a job, primarily because I've been doing it for so long that it's more an extension of me (and also: I like a stable income) but I spent much of last year trying to figure out how I can be more creatively fulfilled within that secure bubble I wrote about it, a little, here. It looks as though, very very soon, that's going to involve going part-time at the day job - and I am so excited to find the thrill in doing things with words again!
Lis / last year's girl x
Well if you're ever in London, let's definitely do that! Excited to see where 2017 takes you and your blog, sounds like you have lots planned!
ReplyDeleteCx
I love your style. I wish I lived closer to London. There is such a wide variety of stores there, I can get lost for days on end!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I don't tend to shop in London all that much because if I let myself loose on the thousands of stores I'd never be able to afford a holiday ever again!
ReplyDeleteCx