Don’t Be a Perfectionist
I’ve been getting a lot of messages lately asking for blogging tips or advice. I’ll be doing a Q&A post soon (if you have any questions leave them below) but I wanted to quickly touch on the question I get most often, which is “what advice do you have for new bloggers?”
If I had to sum it up in one phrase:
Don’t be a perfectionist.
Seriously.
I alluded to it in this post. If you’re trying to start something new, Nike said it best.
Just do it.
Who cares if you make a mistake or it’s not perfect? You’re starting from scratch. The only thing worse than doing something to get started is doing nothing. Does that make sense?
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So take your first step. If you’re trying to study for a test, you have to read the first page. If you want to lose weight, you have to go to the gym for the first time. And if you want to learn a new language, you have to learn that first word. We all start at square one and go from there.
I was really adamant about just starting my blog and learning how to put posts together on the go. Were my first posts amazing content that changed people’s lives? No, but it was a start. I had zero readers anyway (except my mom, LOVE YOU) and if I was going to fumble around and make spelling/grammatical errors and misformat my posts, that was the time to do it. I still make lots of mistakes. It happens. You learn and you grow. You move on. I could have spent months preparing my blog, choosing between three different blog themes, writing and re-writing posts until I was 100% satisfied. But then I wouldn’t have launched when I did. In fact, I might have never launched at all.
When you’re just starting out at anything, chances are you’re experimenting and learning.
You’re bound to make mistakes. But you’re going to get better. When I first started blogging, I didn’t know anything. Arguably I still don’t know anything, ha! I didn’t know how to set up a website, edit my photos, organize my Instagram, look at blog or social analytics. And I didn’t know what I wanted to write about, how to write a post, what it meant to “find my voice” or “create content.” Seriously. I was starting from ground zero. And unless you’re a social media maven or digital expert, you’ll be in a similar situation. But that’s what was so exciting to me about starting a blog.
I’m not saying you should be careless in your actions and do bad work. But being a perfectionist, while having its bonuses, can also leave you paralyzed in the face of action and overly self-critical. The point is you are always changing. You learn and you grow. I’m not perfect and I’m not always content with where I am (although I’m trying to be more present and happy with the now). Who cares if the blogging market is “saturated”? I’m on a journey to improve myself and my blog, to learn something new every day, and focus my energy on creating better content. It’s not realistic to look at someone who has been blogging for a long time and hope to start today and be where they are.
Not gonna happen.
You need to take your own time to find your own voice, figure out what sparks a fire inside of you, and how you want to express yourself. That’s the best part of having a blog, or any sort of “creative outlet” – you learn a lot about yourself and the story you want to tell. At the end of the day, isn’t that what matters? #cheesybuttrue
Thanks for following along with me on my journey.
xx, Amy
How beautiful, love it. 🙂
http://www.selestyme.com
Thank you! xx
Love your outfit and I agree with you! The good thing about a blog is that you can change it any time. I think mine has changed quite a bit from the beginning and I have the freedom to take it in any direction I want to! x
So true! Your blog looks amazing! xx
So inspirational, I couldn’t agree more with you! This is a journey and if anything, we should get better at it and learn from mistakes along the way! Beautiful post, Amy! xo
Sabina | I’ve Got Sunshine
Thanks Sabina! I’m so glad this relates to you – thanks so much for reading : ) xx
great style and post!
– http://www.youthofthesun.com
Ahh thank you SO much!! xx
What a beautiful skirt! I love the leopard print but personally can’t pull it off so I’m glad to see a beautiful outfit put together like yours here! And how inspirational too with your advice to take baby steps to achieving a goal – yes the journey begins with the first step! 🙂 xo~ Lena
http://www.thewanderliste.com
I think you could SO pull off leopard print Lena!!! TBH I shied away from animal prints for the longest time, but now I LOVE them. Try it out! Thanks for reading babe! xx
It is hard for me not to be a perfectionist! Great post girly!
Briana
http://beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com/
I know!! Same!! But working on it – trying to focus on action and execution this year. Thanks for stopping by xx
This was such a empowering post!! Love it 🙂
ps: your style is amazing!
http://www.blossomikebana.com
Aww, thank you so much Paula! Hope you enjoyed. xx
Love this look so much hun! Animal print is always one of my favorite trends… you styled it perfectly! Hope you’re having an amazing 2017 so far 🙂
Would LOVE for you to check out my new music video!
Xo Jessi,
http://www.mywhitet.com/body/
Thanks Jessi! Love the new music!! Hope you had a blast at the Globes xx
You look amazing! Very inspiring post x
Jessica — NinetyCo
Thanks Jessica! xx
This was truly and amazing post and I was sooo happy whilst reading!! But I completely agree, just because the market is saturated, there is no reason as to why you shouldn’t just jump straight in a begin!! Amazing post babe! Have a great week!x
Millie x
http://queenmillie.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/what-university-has-taught-me-letter-to.html
Thank you so much Millie, love your blog. Have a wonderful week as well xx
I love everything about this babe
Filipa xxx
PlayingWithApparel.com | Instagram
Thanks gorgeous girl xx
LOVE this post so much! It’s so hard to not be a perfectionist and we have to remind ourselves everyday to just BE OURSELVES!
xo,
Gem+Elli | gemandelli.com
Preach, girl! Thanks for following along xx
This post is exactly what I needed, as I tend to be quite the perfectionist. I really don’t know much about blogging, but I truly want to get better and freely express myself on my blog! I need to remind myself daily that if I’m striving for perfection, I’m not going to go too far xx
Keep up the amazing work!! Thank you for reading : ) xx
That is some really great advice! I knew nothing when I started blogging but have learned a lot along the way and have met so many great girls who have also taught me a lot!
Couldn’t agree more babe! xx
I really love your perspective on this topic! Super thoughtful!
xx
http://www.dylanasuarez.com
Aw thank you, Dylana!! xx
Love your outfit but more importantly love what you said on being new at it and striving to learn instead of perfecting! I believe in the same and glad to see someone do the same! Im sure you will succeed:)
xoxo
Dhwani
http://www.quirksofme.com
Aw, thank you Dhwani! Glad we can relate on this topic : ) best of luck to you babe xx
Great post, love your outfit as well!
http://www.gloryofthesnow.com
Thank youu! xx
Such a great post! Totally agree with everything you said. The first step (especially when it comes to blogging) is to throw yourself out there. What comes after that is an evolutionary process. We learn, change, discover, and we grow. It’s an uncertain but exciting path. And every since throwing myself out there 1.5 years ago, I haven’t looked back 🙂
XOXO, Ashley
http://reasyume.com
Couldn’t agree more, Ashley! Congrats on your success babe : ) xx
Shoutout to all the moms who read our blogs when we first start, LOL. But seriously, I love that you shared this. Perfectionism can often stop us from even starting, which is worse than just messing it up in the first place!
Kathryn • simplykk.com
LOL so true, right?! Thank you moms. So glad you stopped by Kathryn : ) xx
Your outfit is super cute! I enjoyed reading this post 🙂
http://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/
Yay! So happy to hear babe. xx
Love this outfit, so cute! Great advice for bloggers of all levels of experience! Thanks for sharing.
xxxx from Emily // http://www.diamondsanddachshunds.weebly.com
Thanks so much, Emily! Glad you enjoyed. xx
So poignantly written 🙂 I can’t tell you how much I can relate to this. When I look at what I did in 2016… all the 43 published posts could’ve been 60 if I was just a bit daring, and bit more organized. But you are so right! Sometimes you just gotta do it!!
Jessica || Cubicle Chic
True, but quality > quantity sometimes, right? You put your best work out there and that’s nothing to scoff at! xx
Some really great advice babe, and I totally agree with you! Learning as you go is always the best way to learn something!
Ps. Totally love your leopard skirt!
x Emily
http://shedoes.com.au
Thank you so much Emily! x
This is potentially one of the greatest things I’ve read this year, thank you thank you thank you!
Wow thank you so much Elie, that means so much! xx
This is such a gorgeous look (especially the leopard print skirt!) and I adore the photography. Your advice is brilliant; funnily enough, I’ve been trying to let go of my perfectionism lately when its comes to blogging, in favour of ‘just doing it’!
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x
Yay! Glad you can relate. I’m not trying to say you shouldn’t do quality work, but I do think we could all in general be a little less tough on ourselves and focus on executing : ) thanks for stopping by and your kind words!! xx
It was the same for me when I first started blogging, but time and effort can get you places! You seem to be doing well with your blog, I love your photos and content! thanks for visiting mine 🙂
http://www.samanthamariko.com
Thanks Samantha! Anytime, love your posts! xx
Thank you for the tips !! I’m always get stressed trying to make my blog look pretty
X,abril
The color palette
Haha well it’s worth it, your blog looks amazing!! xx
I totally agree with you darling! Nobody is perfect and the world would be so boring if everyone of us would be flawless.. This outfit is so on point as well!
xx, Carmen – http://www.carmitive.com
Thank you babe! Totally agree with you here : ) xx
I really needed this post! I’d love to know how to pose for blog photos!!
xo | Cindy
http://www.boringclothes.com
Thanks Cindy! I feel like whatever is most comfortable to you – it helps to take note of photos you like and practice in the mirror ; ) xx
Babe- this post is so on point and relevant to all bloggers no matter how long they’ve been doing it! 7 years into blogging and I’m STILL guilty of trying to make everything perfect! But the kicker is, my fave bloggers are those who simply fly by the seat of their pants and just do it- you are so money! ;D
Xx- Julie | Haute Khuuture Blog
Wow, 7 years!! Congrats on sticking with something for so long and continuing to stay committed! That is some true passion, dedication, and growth!! Thanks for reading Julie! xx
love the look! xx
Thanks SO much Tania! xx
Great selection, i’ve been reading the Widow which is a great one!
Definitely need to check that one out! xx
You look amazing!!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: GUCCI BAG GIVEAWAY!! // ¡¡SORTEO BOLSO GUCCI!!
Thank you so much babe! xx
This outfit and post are both beautiful! Wishing you a wonderful rest of your week <3
Blessings,
Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.com
Thank you so much, Edye! Have a great week!! xx
I love your laid back approach and I couldn’t agree more, it’s so important to enjoy life and not take it too seriously, besides it’s there to enjoy 🙂
It’s important to keep a positive and productive outlook on life however it’s also important to remember nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes, but we often learn from them which moulds us into stronger people 🙂
Great post!
Laura xo
http://www.shehearts.net
Thank you so much for reading, Laura!! I’m really glad the message resonated with you 🙂 xx
Could you be anymore gorgeous? Love this look so much! So FLAWLESS darling. Happy Wednesday!
Much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
You are really too kind, Len! Happy Hump Day! xx
Dear, thanks so much for these tips! If I’d have only read this earlier in my life.. But hej, change is still possible right. 🙂
xx Frederique – http://fablefrique.com
Lovely outfit girl, thanks for sharing your tips
Come and visit my blog.. bisous
https://gallech.blogspot.com
I completely agree. It took me a while to start my blog but Im glad I did it. Sometimes you can waste so much time on the minute details that really doesn’t matter.
http://jamieonthings.com/
love Jam,
Love this look and I love that you offered some words of wisdom along with your amazing outfit inspiration!
~Jessica Linn
http://linnstyle.com
Such a great blog, beautiful girl an stylish outfits <3 added to my favs!
Carmelatte
Love your shoes;) Looking great:)
http://www.bridgeofmemories.co.uk