Last week I decided I was going to start a new blog where I could write whatever I wanted with no restrictions and this would also give me a group of loyal followers who enjoy what I write. I've now changed my mind and decided to stay where I am and keep the memories of this blog but still write about anything I want. I felt like I had to blog regularly and stick specifically to beauty and because of this I had no inspiration. I've also realised that the number of times I post is up to me and people can enjoy my blog regardless of if I post everyday or once a month. At the end of the day this is my blog and I should be myself, write whatever I want and just enjoy it. If people don't like the things I blog about then that's their choice and they're more then welcome to unfollow me.
I think part of the reason behind stepping down from beauty blogging is that i've become a little bit less materialistic. I recently sorted out all the makeup I have and I feel like I have enough and I should appreciate what I have rather than buy any more. I thought I wanted the Urban Decay Naked Palette but do I really need it? No, because I have the Sleek Storm Palette which has similar colours as well as some other Urban Decay shadows which would create the same effect. Another thing is that once you're wearing a product people don't know where it's from and that's one of the reasons why I own so little high end make-up. My foundation is Maybelline but people aren't going to look at me in the street and know that are they? They might think i'm wearing MAC or maybe Natural Collection but for me make-up is how you wear it, not what the name is on the packaging. I'm not saying I hate high end brands because I don't; there are a few key staples that are probably worth every penny but if I can buy something that carries the same effect for a lot cheaper then I will.
My interests are changing and this is something i'm accepting and really enjoying. I'm now reading more fashion blogs than I did before and i'm finding that post after post of the same beauty product review just isn't appealing. I've lost a bit of weight and that's given me the confidence to feel like I can wear more of what I want to rather than hiding behind jeans and a faded t-shirt which has definitely influenced what I want to write about. I won't be blogging much about fashion simply because I don't have the money to spend lots on clothes but i'll probably write a bit about the things that are on my wishlist as we can all dream! I suppose I see the community as a bit of a jigsaw and we all fit into it in our own ways. Where I was once firmly in the beauty side of things I now feel like i'm connected to fashion, life and food blogs just as much and I want this to be reflected in what i'm writing.
I also feel like another reason behind my lack of inspiration was that I was taking my blog too seriously. I'm really passionate about writing and I don't think I could ever completely stop blogging. I think about my blog a lot more than i'd like to think I do and this is something I want to change. This year is a big year for me; I have my A-Level exams and i'll hopefully be starting uni in September. I want to prioritise my work for 6th Form and for my blog to come second. My blog is important but I can't risk doing badly in my exams and messing up my future can I? I think what i'm trying to say is i'm putting my foot down and getting my priorities right. I've been blogging for 2 years now and I feel like it's time for beauty blogging to take a back seat and allow me to write about other things. I'm not sure if i've really shown it in my other posts but i'm also really passionate about food, music and just blogging about life in general. If I think back over the past few months the posts i've honestly loved writing are my Sunday ones. I read back through a few of them before I wrote this and the memories they brought back were really special. I want that feeling when I read through my whole blog and I want it to be something I can look back and reflect on through everything i've experienced. I already have lots of posts i'd like to write and I think with a little bit of luck I can turn this blog into a true representation of me.
If you've read this far then thank you! I love the support from everyone in this community and without it I would have made the wrong decision about the future of this blog. I'm not normally the kind of blogger to pour my heart out into a blog post but I think being honest about your feelings is always the right thing to do.
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i love this. i've just started blogging, but i'm not just narrowing it down to beauty. i love cooking and reading and general writing too. i want it to be more like a journal and all in one place :)
ReplyDeleteI personally really appreciate your honesty and think what you're doing is right. This is YOUR blog and if you want to blog about food, music, your life, beauty/fashion then it's up to you. I for one shall continue to read your blog because i enjoy the way you write and think you're a lovely person too! x
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you for writing this post lovely, I follow your tumblr and I love all the beautiful pictures and quotes you post and I don't think anyone will unfollow you for writing about food, music or your life as I've said before I love your blog and enjoy your writing a lot and can't wait to see what this turn around brings. You blog is 100% about you, and the more passionate you are about what you're writing, the more your readers will get a sense of you! :) :) x x x
ReplyDeleteI love this post
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful honest post. I can relate to those feelings and appreciate you putting it out there! I will of course keep reading your posts no matter what and I actually prefer blogs that switch up what they write about! x x
ReplyDeleteJust because you blog mainly about beauty, doesn't mean you should stick to it. If you want to write more personal posts from now on then go for it because your loyal followers won't leave, and you may gain other followers that weren't so interested in beauty. It's a good thing to go through change so if you are then your blog should change with you. :)
ReplyDeletexo
good for you!i really hope no one stops following you because of this because it sounds like it will be more interesting to have a range of topics, why should you have to stick to makeup all the time?
ReplyDeleteI completely understand where you are coming from Caz! At the end of the day this is only blogger and if it all stopped tomorrow your life will still go on therefore you should always put living your life before blogging because ultimately it's only a hobby. I also know what you mean about posting because you feel you have to rather than because you want to, with the greatest respect to them some people don't go to school or have a job so obviously they can post very regularly but we've got school work to focus on which should come first (:. I am so pleased to hear that you're still going to be blogging and i'm very much looking foward to the future of thisiscaz (:<3
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! Blogging isnt a job, it should be fun so you should be able to write about whatever you want; when you want! I'll definitely continue to read your blog as I love your style of writing and for me, i dont follow blogs purely because of the makeup side, but more because of the person behind the blog :) x
ReplyDeleteI love this post too! I love your blog - don't ever leave.. focus on your alevel exams (you won't get this time back!) and do what you enjoy (life is far too short for that). Thank you for being so honest xx
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of blogs which started out as beauty are branching more into life, cooking etc, but i think its a good thing. As you said reading about the same products over and over gets boring, so a bit of real life mixed in holds interest.
ReplyDeleteI love your summary posts and will definitely keep checking back :)
x
Great post, it's your blog and definitely up to you what you post about and how often you post it. I'd hate to see you stop blogging so if a change of direction feels right then go for it! I started my blog as a "beauty blog" but quickly realised that as I didn't have the money to buy every Mac collection (I'm jealous of anyone who does!) and because I wasn't being sent products to review every week I just couldn't keep up with the ideal of what a "beauty blog" should be. Now I just blog about whatever takes my fancy and probably less than half of my posts are about "beauty". I think you're right about interests changing as you get older too, I feel as if I'm kinda over my "make-up phase" now - I know what works, what doesn't, what brands are worth the money and which aren't etc and I actually can't remember when I last bought make-up!
ReplyDeleteGosh, this is turning out to be an essay of a comment! Looking forward to reading your future posts, whatever they may be on :) x
Well done for being so mature etc and I think I shall enjoy your blog even more once it's more personal and less make-up, more everything else :D xxx
ReplyDeleteyou could write about bin bags and i would still read your posts. do what YOU want, this is your part of the internet. xxxxx
ReplyDeleteFab post!!
ReplyDeleteI love blogs which are personal and you can get to know the person. Some blogs lately are like QVC channels with post after post of free stuff they have been sent or duplicates of the same thing that everyone has been sent/bought - it will ve great to see just you :)
This is an amazing post and I agree with all the things you've written as I very much feel the same. Thank you for the advice on Twitter, I really appreciate and I'm glad to see you'll still be blogging, just on things you enjoy and not things you feel compelled to write about. I also agree with the priorities point too, I suppose you just have to find a right balance. I think I've pretty much decided what I want to do with my blog, i just need to take that plunge!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, great post, I can completely relate to it!
xxx
Absolutely right - your blog is exactly that - yours, and it's natural that it will evolve and change over time as your interests do. I've always enjoyed reading your posts and have much more of an interest in blogs where people write about their lives, and what they've been up to, than beauty or fashion blogs to be honest. You should definitely stay true to what you want to write about, and I will look forward to reading it!
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Hun, I totally understand and that's why I created my new blog. I have a few followers and even fewer commentors but I'm happier knowing I'm blogging about what I want to. Saying that though, I still feel I'm battling to keep everyone happy and find interesting topics people may just want to comment on.
ReplyDeleteI'm fed up of reading beauty post after beauty post, or outfit post after outfit post (especially when I'm needing to lose weigt and still hiding behind the leggings/hoodie combo!)
I'm much more interested in real blogs, personal blogs. I want to know about the person and create a "friendship" with them.
Well done for sticking to what you want your blog to be! I think it's important to blog about things that you enjoy, otherwise it can become too much like a chore. Looking forward to reading your new posts :) xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you decided to post such an honest post sweet, my blog has changed "direction" so many times, but now I feel like it's just what I wanted it to be. I've always loved both your more personal posts and beauty posts and can't wait to see what else your blog will bring once you start making some changes (:
ReplyDeleteI have been feeling a little like that, my GCSEs are taking up so much of my life! I have had to get my priorities right, but blogging always takes over again.
ReplyDeleteI have recently started wearing MAC makeup, and it's obvious the better quality. But there are people out there that can look absolutely amazing with Natural Collection or Elf foundation for example, I think high end makeup is just a easy way of doing your makeup as it gives you a better outcome with less work. :)
xoxo
a very honest and a very refreshing post, I loved reading it! I think it's good that you're so passionate about your blog, and I do believe lack of inspiration can sometimes mean you feel a little detached from it. love what you've said about buying expensive products, I honestly think people will enjoy reading about how good a Maybelline blusher is and how amazing a Rimmel mascara is, and won't care if you don't blog about MAC this or UD that...you're definitely entitled to writing about what you want to write about, I love your writing style and judging by akl your followers, they do too. So anything you write will be amazing!
ReplyDeleteEmma x
http://www.handbagstogladrags.com/
I'm really looking forward to your future blog posts :) Do what you love Caz!! I read your blog because I like you and your writing style, not just because I'm interested in products etc. :) xoxo
ReplyDeleteGreat post...my favourite quote is 'follow your bliss' Its a good thing to have balance in your life,not to be pigeon holed by anyone including yourself,and write about what is making you happy at the time
ReplyDeleteGood luck chick
Love Natxxx
http://www.pixielashes.com
I totally understand where you're coming from. Your exams are way more important than blogging!
ReplyDeleteIt will be lovely to see some different posts from you, and I'll still be following regardless! Take your time, and I wish you all the luck for your exams. x
I agree, your blog is yours, to write about what you love and if people read it then that's a bonus. One thing I've stuck to is to blog about what I want and then it makes me doubly happy when people enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteblog about whatever makes you happy! :) xx
ReplyDeleteBlog about whatever makes you happy! It's your blog and if your readers don't like what you have to say, then they don't have to read it. I for one, love your blog, plus a little bit of change here or there is never bad! But seriously, continue writing about what you love! xx
ReplyDeleteAh Caz, I think a lot of people have been feeling this way lately. I think that's why I started a 'lifestyle' blog, I mean I love fashion and beauty, but I knew I'd never have enough money to buy all the make-up, and I have too many fat lazy days to show people my outfits all the time, I wear the same stuff anyway!! You're right about having a few key high end things, but not having everything doesn't make it the end of the world. I think a lot of people in beauty and fashion feel under pressure to 'keep up' with the new things, and yes it can get repetitive, if I see one more post on backomb in a bottle I may cry hahaha. If writing is your passion, you do what makes you happy, you write so well. I'm sure you will be fine and lovely readers will stick around, it's nice to have the freedom to post what you want. I hope you feel better, have some glitter *sprinkles glitter and runs away* xxxx
ReplyDeleteLiterally had this lyric in my head as I saw it in my reader!
ReplyDeleteI think a blog should be personal but interest others, so as long as it's not too specific to things others won't know about, post as wider variety as you can, on whatever you're passionate about.
I really like this post and I agree entirely, I think a blog is just a little space where it's about you and what interests you. If it turns into something you don't enjoy or no longer interests you then what is the point? Keep blogging about what makes you happy and for as long as you enjoy it! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteGreat post - I totally agree. My blog is all about fashion, makeup, whatever I want it to be about. It's YOUR hobby, you own it!
ReplyDeletexxx
Fantastic post, even though I have just started blogging I do worry about whether I post enough or if I am blogging about what people want to read about, so it's good to know I am not the only one who feels like that!
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I totally understand where you're coming from :). I'm really excited about seeing where you're going to take your blog and I love reading different perspectives on things so whatever you want to blog on will be fab I'm sure :). You're good at writing anyway and your posts are always interesting so I'm sure you'll be great! I understand what you mean about feeling restricted. Sometimes I'm half way through writing a personal post and I start thinking, does anyone even care? haha. But I think to just write whatever and not worry is the best policy! xxx
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel, many a time I have felt a little caught up in my blog and what people expect of me. For me I initially started out doing a little bit of make-up (not very well) and general chit chat. Now my blog is completely different, much more the real me.
ReplyDeleteI never really got into beauty blogging, but I know I read a much smaller portion of beauty blogs now than I used to, as I don’t enjoy make-up as much as say fashion and lifestyle. It’s okay to change interests xxx
I'm so pleased you're addressing this and that you're sticking with what you want to write about. Your blog readers will stick around for sure lovely, and it's always best to write about what you want to. I wish you all the best with it my lovely.
ReplyDeletexoxo
good on you for writing this caz and being honest. i do think that through beauty blogging, you can become more materialistic, and start to obsess over the 'it' high end products, reading this has made me realise that who else is going to know that im wearing the lastest MAC lipstick?! No one unless i tell them haha! i will still look forward to any posts you write, your blog is lovely to read and is a true inspiration for anyone else out there who enjoys writing as much as you do. All the best with the new direction! :) x
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel. I decided to start all over again though.
ReplyDeleteI felt like it was taking over my life and I was trying to be someone i'm not. Like you, I enjoy writing so I wouldn't want to stop altogether. I felt so much pressure trying to write about this and that and trying to post most days so people wouldn't get bored. But now i've decided to blog for me <3
you and your blog are gorgeous, I have thought it for such a long time. I think you should write what makes you happy, and I think almost all of your readers would think the same thing. I think its hard to go one way with a blog, as it's our lives & obv we have more feelings that just beauty or just clothes, etc.
ReplyDeleteand just be who you are, don't try and keep up with other bloggers, I don't think that ever works & tbh, you don't need to as this one is lovely. BUT it's the way you write, so this or another blog would be just as good
<3
xx
awww caz, this is such a heartfelt post :) you should totally just do what you want to do, your followers will atleast be people who are genuinely interested in you for you! i really hate the amount i think about my blog, im having a major rethink myself at the moment because i look through my posts & it really only portrays the smallest smallest segment of what im really about. its a tough cookie i guess, but you have to do it for yourself above anybody else & if that means moving away from beauty blogging to things which inspire you more then so be it :) x
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