Teddy Coat: Shein // Pants: New Yorker (got them in Poland) // Cowgirl Boots: Corral
Many people have asked me why I blog over the years, and a few people even told me that I shouldn’t blog because there’s no point and that I would never be successful with it, so why waste my time. When I first started this blog in 2010, the purpose was to connect with other bloggers and share my fashion. Blogs were a fairly new thing, and not many people that I knew saw a point in blogs. I was a fashion minor in college, and I have loved fashion from a very young age. When I was in high school quite a few people had told me that they had nominated me for the most fashionable in our grade, but I lost because I wasn’t a popular kid. However, I will say, even hearing that I was nominated was an amazing feeling. Anyway, in 2010, I was dating this guy who was not supportive of my blog at all and refused to take anymore of my pictures, so I stopped all together. A lot of people have asked me if I continue to blog because I “get free stuff.” I honestly dislike when people ask me this. I’ve worked hard to be able to work on sponsored posts with brands. That is just a perk to this little blog of mine. The time it takes to create photos, edit the photos, create content for the post, and sometimes submit for approval to brands is not just a 1, 2, 3 done type of a deal.
Then, come 2013. Blogs were a huge deal, and one of my coworkers found out I had a blog and told me that I should start back up again, so I did. In the beginning I didn’t have the best content because I was taking pictures with my crappy iPhone which was completely cracked and I didn’t really know what to write. When I first started, my number one goal was to inspire at least one person in the world. I accomplished that goal when I received an email from one of my readers. Then I wondered what my new goal would be. I wanted to keep inspiring people, but I also found blogging really fun. I went to a few blogging conferences, one of which I went to California for the first time and got to see Marilyn Monroe’s star! I met some really great people through my blog, my blogger bestie included.
There were a few times during these past 5+ years of blogging that I thought maybe I should stop because I haven’t gotten anywhere with my blog and I was really discouraged. My parents and fiancé who have been my biggest supporters told me not to. They saw how happy blogging made me and convinced me that just because I haven’t grown as much as I would’ve hoped, that I still loved doing it. This blog is my happy place. It’s my voice. In the past 5 years I’ve talked about a lot of things that matter to me, especially within this past year. I’ve posted about my triumphs, and my struggles. I want to be relatable.
The reason why I blog currently, is for fun. This blog gives me a place to have my voice heard. I’ve become friends both IRL and cyberly with some amazing and inspiring people. I still haven’t grown as much as I had hoped, but I enjoy doing this. Once I stop enjoying this little space of mine is when I know it’s time to move on to the next thing. For now though, I’m still going to stick around.
**Please note, I received this teddy coat as a review, however all opinions are my own.
xoxo Monica
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Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies says
This is a question I’m facing myself right now. Maybe it’s because of the stage I’m going through (2 dogs and a nan going through cancer and a flu virus I just can’t shake). But I’m questioning the whole thing. Blogging is such a full on deal – although I can now make enough to pay my daughter 3 hours a week – which is a drive for me. Thanks for writing this – it’s very apt for me right now xx
Jersey Girl, Texan Heart says
That’s awesome that you can make that much! That’s always a great accomplishment is when something that you enjoy turns into income.
Maureen says
I am convinced that blogging is a labor of love and that it needs to be fun. It takes a lot of time just for it to be something to do you know. I would like to eventually grow my blog as well but deep down in my heart it needs to be fun. The minute it isn’t, is also the same reason I would leave it. You are doing a fantastic job Monica and I enjoy reading your posts. I am glad you are doing what you are doing. Fantastic boots btw!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Jersey Girl, Texan Heart says
It definitely is a labor of love. I totally agree with you. Unfortunately to grow a blog in such a saturated market right now it’s so hard. I wish I was more knowledgeable when I first started and I kept going.
Jessica A Jannenga says
Love this outfit and the color palette. I understand what you are saying, it has been almost 5 years for me, and it can be a slow go. It s a saturated area, more so than when we started. I continue because love interactng with ladies and sharing the fashion.
thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylsh.com
Jersey Girl, Texan Heart says
Yes, I’ve met so many amazing people through my blog who have become real life friends. It’s definitely a great community!