First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR MEGA BABES, I hope 2017 is treating you amazingly well already. Secondly, well erm, there's not really a secondly apart from the fact that I'm about to dive deep into a post which is basically all omg the blogging babes are the best people ever and it's giving me all the happy, warm, fuzzy vibes. Because let's be honest, in all huge groups of people (especially females), there will always be jealousy and negativity and shit vibes and I think sometimes the blogging community falls into this trap. But generally, it's just a bubble of support and creative goddesses (and gods) and I am so grateful to be a part of it.
There were a couple of things that prompted me to do this post, the first was the reaction from the blogging community after my last post which honestly blew me away. In case you haven't seen it, I'll link it here but in short, it's a very emotional look into 2016 which kinda got deep af. But somehow, this post which was purely my free form of therapy way of giving closure to a shocking year reached so many god damn people. Like, a scary amount of people. But behind the number of views on my screen were an absolute tonne of people - mostly bloggers - tweeting/dm'ing/whatsapping etc. - the loveliest messages of support and honestly, I did sweet FA that day apart from stare at my screen and phone in utter disbelief that the internet has provided me, and us all really, with a little army on my side. It's funny because numbers are great but really, that's all they are. To see/hear/read actual people reaching out to let me know my content had made a difference... it's just something I'll never quite get my head around.
The second reason I thought I'd do this is actually because I was kinda drained from talking about my personal life so deeply. I am beyond happy that so many could relate and it touched so many, and it's definitely something I'll occasionally do in the future (where relevant)... but for now, I might just nip back to some superficial, pointless posts with a little less depth that doesn't make me feel like I've been on an emotional rollercoaster/to a therapy session!
So, let's talk about why the blogging community is beyond epic shall we?
SUPPORT
I touched upon the support of the blogging community in the beginning but honestly, I have always been completely humbled by how amazing the community is when things go wrong. I went back and counted - because as I said, I was as useless as a chocolate teapot the day the post was posted because I was beyond overwhelmed - and over 20 people had messaged to say that despite not ever meeting, they felt so proud of me and was so thankful that I'd written something they could relate to. How f**king insane is that? Overall more than 100 people got in touch in some way, shape or form and I just thank my lucky stars that blogging has put me in a position that has made this possible. I think what I've realised over the past few weeks is that despite having significant numbers across certain platforms, absolutely no number compares to a person, a real person reaching out to tell you you've made a difference to their lives. The support of the blogging community is one of the absolute best things about being a blogger, so let's build each other up, support each others achievements and reach out when things go wrong.
INSPIRATION
One thing that makes me so proud to be a blogger is the increasing influence that bloggers have worldwide. Not only are bloggers creating content for their own sites, they're now the faces of brands, bringing out their own products, being flown around the world to help promote countries tourism etc. etc. and in all honesty, I cannot remember the last time I turned to magazines/the general internet/even Pinterest for inspiration, it is always to blogs/youtube channels and Instagram, and I always get the inspiration I'm looking for. I love this so frickin much, because for so long - and still now at times - we were laughed at for being vain and self indulgent and all of those completely missguided descriptions but actually, bloggers are normal people, living normal (ish) lives, doing their thing and providing inspiration for the masses. You Go Glen Coco!
And by Glen Coco I obvs mean every sassy blogger killin it right now [insert high five emoji here].
MOTIVATION
This could definitely come under inspiration but just seeing such epic content created across the Blogging/Youtube world gives me so much motivation to push myself to do bigger and better things. I think the special thing about this community is despite the fact that it is oh so easy to compare yourself to so many people, there really is room for everybody because what makes a good blogger, is actually just being you. So rather than seeing an absolutely stunning shoot and thinking oh ffs, why didn't I think of that, it just makes me think, how can I push myself to do something as beautiful but in my own way? Blogging is an incredible platform, but that's all it is, a platform, it's up to you to do whatever you want with it, take the opportunity and run with it!
FRIENDSHIP
I started blogging because I'd stumbled across blogging and youtube - in particular Lollipop 26 (now Buy now, blog later) and Fleur/Zoe - and I became obsessed with it. I started as a distraction from my hectic job in TV and the only thing I thought I'd gain was just a hobby to take my mind off of the fact that Alan Sugar had just screamed abuse at me for no reason. Never in my life did I imagine I would make some of the best friends that I have from it. That still just blows my mind. The thing is, I have a lot of "blogging friends"... you know, people that you speak to a lot but mostly about blogging and work and you see them at events and they're absolutely wonderful, but you never really go to too much effort to meet up outside of work/blogging. But I actually have made real and true friends that I genuinely would never stop whatsapping even if blogging never existed. And sometimes, I'll be at incredible events, maybe it's at the top of the Shard, or maybe it's halfway around the world.. and I'll look over at these people and just feel so grateful that I'm sharing this crazy journey alongside them.
BRB while I grab a bucket to vom in and then a gun to shoot myself in the face for being such an outrageous sap!
But yeah, I've got best friends from blogging and that in itself makes starting this little corner of the internet the best decision I've ever made.
ACCEPTANCE
Never, in my life, have I felt so comfortable in my own skin since starting my blog and being immersed in the community. I think everyone and their dog knows that I am the world's biggest Harry Potter fangirl, because I shout it from the rooftops with absolutely no shits given. But I think back to my teen years and I literally would've shrivelled up and died and felt like the most uncool person to have walked the planet. This is literally one example but I just feel like if I came out with anything, no matter how random or silly or uncool, the blogging world would just laugh along with me. It's like being in a relationship where you feel totally comfortable to talk about anything which is just so ironic as I haven't met 99% of the people I'm talking/tweeting to. I just feel like I can be entirely myself and that's completely OK because my blog is me. And people read my blog for me. And it doesn't matter if sometimes I am a complete and utter tit... I love that.
I am 100% waffling now, but basically, thank you blogging/social media world for a) providing me with the best friendships, b) bringing the most supportive, inspirational and motivational babes into my life and c) accepting me for who I am. Making me feel like I am doing OK. Making me feel like I am enough.
I would love to know what your favourite things about the blogging community is, is there anyone that's made a real difference to your life? Let's share the blog love below, I always love hearing your thoughts :)
As always, thanks so much for reading!
xx
P.S Wishing you all the most amazing, happy, adventure-filled 2017. Let's see if we can make it the best year yet!
Labels: Lifestyle
