When I Became a Blogger
It’s back to school week – and even though I’m not personally going back to school (and haven’t gone for some time… sad face), September always holds a spot near and dear in my heart. 1. Because I’m super basic and love fall, but more importantly 2. because back to school means setting goals and intentions, and reflecting on where you are. For me, that included some reflecting on blogging and what it means to me. About a year ago, I started thinking about starting a blog. A couple months later, The Luxi Look was born. Some of you already know this, but blogging isn’t my full-time job – I actually work in entertainment during the week. Because my corporate job was a full-time thing and blogging was just something fun I did on the side, I didn’t identify myself as a “blogger” for a long time.
I won’t get into all of the thoughts that I’ve gone through, but I finally came to the realization that yes, I am a blogger. I can’t pinpoint the exact day I became a blogger, but I do know that it came with a shift in attitude and an appreciation and respect for all the work that I’ve put into my blog over the past year. For the longest time, I felt that because I was so new to blogging and honestly had no idea what I was doing, that I wasn’t a “real blogger.”
I’d show up to events and people would ask me “oh, are you a blogger?” – and I’d squirm and be uncomfortable and say “well, um, no, not really… I mean, I blog, but as a hobby, on the side, sometimes…I actually have another job…”
Ummm, NO. The lesson I learned – you need to own it! If you’re putting in YOUR time and YOUR energy that could be focused elsewhere, into your blog, then YES, you are a real blogger!
Blogging is hard, guys. Before I started I thought, “Well, how hard could it be? You take a couple photos and write a couple sentences.” WRONG. The answer: it’s tough work! And can be as much as you want it to be. There is always MORE you could be doing. Which is why I have SO much respect for all the girls out there working and putting their heart and soul into it – most of them balancing other commitments including other jobs, a family, and more! You can spend HOURS on a single photo, and even more on a single blog post!
It’s easy to compare yourself to other people. Like many bloggers, I read and followed other blogs for years before starting my own. When I finally did, I saw these other girls with huge followings and years and years of experience and immediately compared myself to them. Also wrong. As my boyfriend loves to remind me, “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”
I’m still working on myself and my blog and learning new things every day – which I love. Do I still feel uncomfortable walking into a room full of people I don’t know? Yes. Do I still get nervous and wonder if I belong? Yes. But if someone comes up to me and asks if I’m a blogger, you can bet that my answer has absolutely changed. Now it’s always a “Yes.”
xx, Amy
First of all, that dress looks stunning on you Amy! The color is so bold and beautiful and the lace detail is amazing. Second, I know exactly how you feel. I felt it at first and still do from time to time. When I first started my blog I was really shy about telling people, especially at events in my city. It’s still a work in progress for me but it’s nice to know that I’m not alone.
Hope you have a great weekend!
xo, Jackie
stylemydreams.com
Thank you so much Jackie!! Means so much to me that you stopped by and read this post! I’m really glad to hear you can also relate – isn’t it crazy how so many of us have the same insecurities and think we’re alone, when in reality we share many of the same thoughts?? Congrats on making it this far babe, keep up the amazing work! xx
Really well written Amy, own it and be proud 😊 You’re growing so fast on social media, it’s great to see!
Xx
Lauren
http://www.shoesandsashimi.com
Thank you so much Lauren! That means a lot coming from you. Happy to be sharing this journey with you! xx
Oh my gosh! I completely feel you on the “not a real blogger” thing. I also work full time during the week and I always get really shy and never feel like a “real” blogger either at events. It makes me so happy to know that there is 1. someone else out there who has a full time job AND trying to hustle their blog, and 2. feels or felt the same way at these events that I do. I need to follow in your footsteps and tell the world that yes, I am a blogger! 🙂 Happy Friday, Amy!
Happy Friday beautiful Camille! Thanks so much for reading – I feel like we are totallyyyy on the same page! Keep on rocking and doing all the great work you’re doing – you’re not alone! Thanks for being my blog babe 🙂 xx
I agree that blogging is a lot of work! I decided to start blogging when I had my son and became a SAHM at the beginning of the year. I was very inconsistent with my posts at first and would sometimes go a month without posting anything since I was learning how to be a new mom. Nowadays, I try to work on my blog while my son is napping or late at night when he’s in bed. I know blogging is hard and requires a lot of dedication but I continue to do it since I love what I do. This is such an excellent post!
Polly
http://gemsandjoy.com
Hi Polly! Thanks for reading and sharing your story. Blogging while trying to raise a newborn does not sound easy at all! But you always make time for what you love to do : ) keep up the great work! xx
Wow Amy this post is so amazing! Thank you so much for being vulnerable and genuine as you share your story, I can totally relate to it. You are truly an inspiration and I cannot wait to see where life takes you <3
Love,
Fe
http://www.fesamaia.com
Aw, thanks Fe! Means so much coming from you. I’m so happy you can relate! My goal is to always be real and honest – I’m really glad this post resonated with you. xx
I love this post! We totally understand where you are coming from since we just started blogging ourselves a few months ago and sometimes it feels like we didn’t earn the term “blogger” title yet. You have a wonderful blog and I love your boyfriend’s quote 🙂
http://www.pennyanddash.com
Thanks girls! You’re the sweetest – and you’ve definitely earned the blogger title! So much respect for you putting yourself out there and setting out to create. Keep up the great work! xx
I think this is something so many bloggers struggle with when they first start out, I know I’ve definitely been there! It’s such an odd thing to say out loud the first time, but I think your advice about owning it is great advice 🙂 Your photos are always incredible by the way! Love coming here for inspiration <3
Vanessa
http://www.theretropenguin.com
Thank you so much Vanessa! I’m so glad you’re able to find inspiration on my site – your feedback means the world to me. I’d love to hear more about how you handled these thoughts and moved past them : ) thanks for reading xx
I super admire your thoughts about blogging babe. I love how honest you are in telling your journey as a blogger. You’re right when you said “If you’re putting in YOUR time and YOUR energy that could be focused elsewhere, into your blog, then YES, you are a real blogger!” We should own it and be proud of it. Thanks for this inspiring post. Keep doing it ’cause you’re amazing. xx
http://www.prettyweirdbombshell.com/chantz-clothing/
Awww thank you babe!! Your posts always make me laugh and your support means a lot to me! You’re a total inspiration xx
Amy,
First of all, you look amazing in this dress! It’s classy, chic and sophisticated. This’s one o my fav looks of all time after i’ve been following you on IG. And I gotta tell you that you’re freaking awesome! I admire you a lot in term of your thoughts and your choices to show up your love doing something that you believe. When we choose to do something, we choose to do all the way without knowing what outcome is. You’re REAL fashion influencer. Not you just conquer the world with your sense of style, but also your attitude to empower one another. Thank you so much for this amazing post.
xo,
Anita
PS. I seldom have time to read much of blogs anymore, but I just wanted to tell you that you’re amazing and people out there love you, included me for sure. Keep up your work beautiful doll!!!
Hi Anita! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to come by and leave that supportive and wonderful comment. That sort of feedback is what keeps me going and motivates me the most – I’m really happy this post resonated with you and I’m so thankful to have connected with so many wonderful people, including yourself, during my short time blogging. Thanks for brightening my day and for all your the love and support : ) xx
Amy,
I just started my blog so I’m connnstantly reminding myself not to compare my beginning to someone else’s middle. I tend to get caught up on wanting every single little thing to be perfect right away (I’ve definitely spent at least an hour on a post/photo), so my boyfriend also has to remind me to just take everything one step at a time and to stop being so hard on myself. I never thought blogging would be easy, but it is definitely harder than I thought. The struggle is too real! Haha! But I’m happy I’ve finally started my blog after just thinking about it for the longest time, and I’m super excited to learn so many new things. It feels so good to know that someone else gets how I feel. Thank you for this inspiring and genuine post!
& this dress is amazing and I LOVE. THAT. COLOR! (:
xx Rori Nicole
http://www.luxebohemianonline.com
Hiiii Rori! You’re such a sweetie. Thanks for coming by and reading. I think blogging is a very different and personal journey for everyone. I love hearing about different journeys and appreciate you for sharing your honest thoughts on this. I think there’s a definite balance that’s important to find (I’m working on it too : )) but would love to hear more from you. Feel free to reach out if you ever need anything! And congrats on the progress of your blog xx
[…] being kind to myself. I’ve shared before that for a long time I didn’t feel comfortable calling myself a blogger because I didn’t feel that I had earned the title. It made me realize that I needed believe […]
Hi Amy! I have been following you from a long time on IG but since recently i started reading your posts and i really want to thank you for sharing you amazing journey with us! Its very inspiring and its indeed true and has happened with me. I also started blogging as a hobby few months ago and initially i was enjoying it a lot but later it started consuming me. Reason being i was intimated by other bloggers! I started comparing myself with them sooner or later and didn’t realize that its going to affect me. I took a break from blogging because of this reason and started reading inspiring stuff instead of over-thinking about them. I read your posts last week, mostly all the recent ones and felt really good! You are absolutely right that we cannot compare or beginning to someone else’s middle, its truly wrong and we have to take our own time to do our own thing.
Really love your posts! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us <3
Thank you so much babe!! This means so much to me – trust me when I say I totally know the feeling and it has taken a lot of hard work and time to learn to focus on myself and cut out noise and negativity. It’s normal to have these thoughts and expectations, so just know you’re not alone! Glad you are back and better than ever, and so so thankful you came by to the blog!! I LOVE IG and connecting with other bloggers on the platform, but blogging is really where my heart lies because you are able to say so much more! Keep in touch babe and have a wonderful week xx
[…] confident. The way I see it, it’s all about conveying confidence. I wasn’t comfortable calling myself a blogger for a long time. In fact, there are some days when I still don’t feel like I’ve truly […]
[…] being kind to myself. I’ve shared before that for a long time I didn’t feel comfortable calling myself a blogger because I didn’t feel that I had earned the title. It made me realize that I needed believe […]