Major realness today. I feel I have to state a few truths about Blogging. Not in that ” oh I bought a new pair of shoes and they just magically repositioned themselves beautifully on my fur rug next to perfectly positioned sunflowers.”
No.
But before the serious stuff, let’s focus on how I’m entirely obsessed with mesh this season. I may be freezing my bootie off but for mesh, I will gladly do so again and again. I have been on the longest and most tiring hunt for the perfect mesh back top and was blessed by DEKA Company’s presence in my wardrobe. I have worn this top 10 different ways and still has not gotten old. Don’t think it ever will! Paired with my Tobi bomber jacket which I am excited to be talking about in the next few weeks!
Now back to the realness.
Today I am clearing out misinterpretations about blogging aka what really happens behind the blog when you call us and I ask to call you back in an hour because I am super busy with my blog.
One of the things I find difficult about this job is most definitely the vagueness of the field itself. The usual question I get would be ” So, what is it that you actually do?” If you have a family member that is a blogger, I’m sure you have asked them what the details of their job entails. And if you’re a blogger, I’m sure you’ve had people not take you seriously because of the mere fact that this career has been misunderstood more than a few times , time and time again.
I always get weird reactions , especially from adults/ the elderly when I mention things about my blog : Events, meetings, campaigns and what have you. It is a tiny bit frustrating to have to explain the logistics of my career but I feel that I am not only speaking for myself but I know I’m speaking on the behalf of tons of bloggers who have been feeling the same way as I.
I. Tons of people don’t believe that you’re actually busy because you run a blog.
“Isn’t it just taking a few photos and posting your “OOTD” online?” Oh boy does that annoy me so much. Most blogs are businesses and make actual incomes. My blog is a business and a brand before it is an actual blog. Blogging entails more than just a few pictures. It’s photography, editing, writing, replying to emails at least 10297 times a day, graphics, meetings, Skype conferences, accounting, planning events, picking product, scheduling posts, social media stuff, traveling, designing, creating. It is non stop work around the clock. After my 9-5, its 6-1 am just blogging away the rest of my life. So I guess you can say I have a 24/7 instead of a 9/5, and you’ll never hear me complain. I love what I do and I can’t put my foot down to just being your average plain jane with a boring career/ job life. I hate swimming the same way as the rest of the fishes in the world.
II. That wrong perception of, ” Oh , you want to be a model , right?”
So agitating.
No I don’t want to be a model. No I’m not looking to be Victoria’s Secret’s next runway doll nor am I looking to be on some billboard. Otherwise, I would be lining up for Old Navy’s model casting , right?! Let that be known. Just because we post our photos online and on social mediums, doesn’t mean we want to be a model. We simply want to post the clothing ( which is a business and makes actual income from these posts). I’m simply here to be women’s constant source of inspiration. I love to write, create, inspire and show women how to highlight the best versions of themselves.
III. Not everyone is going to like you
Ever heard of “you can’t sit with us bloggers?”
Ohhhh geez…they’re out there. Bloggers can be as catty as the high school cheerleading team…& I’m not interested in the head flyer position.
I’ve sat with a few bloggers who have become my good friends. Over coffee, we’ve sat down agreeing how bloggers get very competitive with each other and of course there’s a lot of gossip and cattiness. I would strongly advise everyone to not get into this and to focus on your own thing, most importantly creating your own original content, original style and stick to that. Energy doesn’t lie, if in the beginning it’s already at a bad taste, leave. You’re better off working on your blog alone and stick to people who support you.
IV. Instagram is as important as your blog
Yes we are picky about what we post on Instagram ( Photos must be uniformed, well edited and spotless most of the time) because it is a huge part of our blog. Without Instagram and Social mediums, there are no blogs. Instagram is the quickest way to connect with your readers.Take care of your Insta handles.
V. Blogging Can take over your life very easily
When I focus on blogging and gaining a lot of followers too much I always seem to lack inspiration so I’ve definitely learned to not only do other things than blogging but also to keep surrounding myself with people who work in a completely different field as I find that this is the best to keep your head in the right place and the inspiration flowing.
I confess, I confess, sometimes blogging takes over my world & I’m that annoying girl at the table who’s on her phone 24/7. BUT. I’m working on it. Seriously though. I am working on being more present.
Jeanne wears [ mesh top by DEKA Company, Bomber Jacket by Tobi, Mesh Platforms from Shelly’s London]
Thanks Varick for the photos
xo, JG