These pictures are from Memorial Day Weekend. It goes without saying that I am more than a little behind on posting. For the past couple of weeks I've been a one-post-a-week kind of girl. I was a little caught up living my tangible life. That's the one where I get together with friends for mid-week laughs, take myself on romantic dates, and go for long afternoon runs with Lua. And I got to do all that without pressuring myself to rush back to my apartment to get a post or two done before my eyes would start to close for the night. It ended up that I took an unintentional breather from blogging.
I've written about similar issues with finding a balance between blogging and real life before. I bounced back from those breaks with a fresh take on how to approach this whole blogging business. Maybe this is just the breather I needed to kick myself into gear again. Blogging has become so important this past year and has opened up endless opportunities for me. In some ways, I feel like I'm being unfair to my blogging persona by taking such a step back. It's amazing to be even a small part of this vast community. I absolutely love the people I have met, and am so grateful that I've been able to use this space as a way to make some incredible new friends. I almost feel I'm being selfish in my relationship with this blog. It seems that I want to reap all the benefits, without putting in all the hard work.
I honestly don't know how some of you do it. Full time jobs, full time blogs, some full time parents, all while balancing a seemingly active social schedule that keeps you healthy and happy. I was putting a lot of work into my blog, until I realized that I was putting more work into my blog then into some of my face-to-face relationships. And with the addition of gorgeous weather I really began to feel the itch to be outside my apartment after work, instead of cooped up, spending even more time sitting by a computer screen.
I have a few options. I can continue to blog in a less than predictable way, constantly feeling guilty than I'm not providing enough inspiring, new, or thought provoking content. I can go back to the days where I came home from work to immediately sit down at the computer and work on the blog way past my bedtime. Or I can dive head first into this blogging world, start accepting sponsors, offering giveaway upon giveaway, spend all my time outside of work shopping for new clothes, networking with companies, and scouting outfit photo locations. Now, that doesn't necessarily sound terrible at all, but it does seem like more occupied time I'd have to take away from the time that I like to leave unscheduled in my life.
My problem with going down the road of sponsors, is that I think it would change my blog tremendously. Right now, it's all me. I get to post whenever I want, write about the topics I want to, and say pretty much anything, all this over sharing included. If I start having to be a voice that represents different companies, that will unavoidably change. Personally, I would feel a responsibility to keep a certain level of professionalism on the blog. I'm just not sure I'm ready to be held accountable to anyone besides myself for this space. I share a lot here (probably too much). I'm not sure a clothing, jewelry, vintage, handbag, etc. company cares that I share my deepest darkest feeling with their target audience. Yet, I'm still being contacted. What am I missing here. What should I be doing here?
AG Top, Brandy & Melville Skirt, Espadrilles from DSW
Friendship Bracelets from Madewell, Coral Bracelet Gift, Pendant from Clyde's Rebirth
Friendship Bracelets from Madewell, Coral Bracelet Gift, Pendant from Clyde's Rebirth
I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on all of this. I know it's hard for everyone to juggle all the things they have going on. I'm not giving myself an excuse, or saying that I'm more busy than anyone else, I'm just asking for advice. I know that most of the people who read my blog are also incredibly busy, want-to-do-everything-but-just-don't-have-the-time people too. Maybe you have some inside advice you wouldn't mind lending me. Or any advice on partnering with companies and how it's changed your blogging experience for the better or the worse. I'm all ears.
Thank you again for sticking around while the posting has been so spotty here. I'm going to try to do my best to get back up to speed and start sharing and interacting with you all more because that's what this is really supposed to be all about right?
24 comments:
i love this post honey :) I often feel exactly the same about blogging - actually all the time. I love it so much, and yet sometimes, i feel like it takes away from my real life. It's hard to find a good balance. I'm not sure when i'll find it!!
About sponsors - i don't think it's necessary or a big stress. I accept sponsors in a really casual way - and i like it. I don't hunt them down, i don't do sponsored posts, so it's more like just ad space. I guess that's an option for you too? i dunno. hehe
Hugs will you figure all this out!
Girl, do I feel you or what? I basically treat my blog like homework when it comes to time management. I give myself Wednesday and Saturday off from blogging. If I get bored and want to peruse the internet I'll read some post and comment but I try to keep that to a couple of hours.
As long as your doing what makes you happy, isn't that all that matters?
i hear ya. my blog is mine. it may not be much but it's mine. if i had sponsors i'm afraid i wouldn't like it the same. i could be totally wrong and that may breathe new life into it and take the pressure off of coming up with my own content all the time. but blogging for me is just a fun thing. but i do think that you can still have sponsors and it not change you. you just have to work with the right people :)
What a great post. Other than you looking fabulously casual chic, I say do what makes you comfortable and don't worry about anyone else. If you are blogging as a career, that's when you need to worry about that stuff. For me, blogging is an escape. It's a hobby, an interest and a way to meet great people! My blog is still a baby, so I don't have any sponsors yet. I don't know quite what I feel about that, like you. This also brings up the point that by sharing your life with the blogosphere, you are undoubtedly reaching out to someone. So far, you've related to three girls and that's just the people who have commented! That says a lot! If you love to do it, do it. Let it be a joy and not a burden. No one will think less of you whether you post three times a day or three times a month. ;-)
I feel like I could write a giant novel in response to this, so I'll try to keep it semi-point form!
Truthfully, I threw myself way more into my blog since I've moved away and have no friends and no real social life. I kind of need this hobby to keep my life full at this point. Sad, but true. It was much harder when I lived in Fredericton and worked in an office and had a thriving social life.
Also, sponsors don't have to affect your content at all. You have complete control, so don't forget that. At first I kind of just jumped on every opportunity that came my way, but now I say 'thanks but no thanks' a whole lot more, when companies want to do sponsored posts or they suggest something I feel would be awkward for me/my blog. I do lots of giveaways, but that's only to give my readers free stuff. Sometimes I worry that it cheapens my blog, but I have changed my terms also to keep it simple and no longer require people to follow, etc, to enter... it's just to give the people who read my blog a little gift. You define your own terms when it comes to sponsors, and if they are coming to you, you could just accept the ones that feel right for you - no need to chase them down or change your content!
And on my final note, I hope you at least keep posting sometimes. I love your posts. I love reading what you have to say. And that's a rare thing in this style blogging world! xo.
I don't have any sponsors for my blog either (but it is very new territory for me).
I would definitely consider them in the future though. It's your time and your 'space' just do whatever feels right.
P.S. Your outfit is adorable, love the striped skirt!
I agree on sponsors, I say go for it, just choose the ones that reflects your interest and not the other way around.
A Girl's Next Best Friend
I don't have a blog, but just wanted to say that I like reading your blog and totally don't mind if posts are a bit irregular: I don't see my real friends all the time because they and I are sometimes busy otherwise, but then we catch up. I feel it's similar with blogs: it's fine when you are busy doing other things...at some point you'll post again and let me "catch up" with you.
I completely agree with you on all of this. Sometimes I get caught up with my daily life and blogging takes a backseat and then I feel guilty that I'm not posting regularly and I see that my visitors are low and then I think "oh no, gotta post gotta post.." but then I have to remind myself that that should never be what blogging is about.
What it comes down to is that blogging should never overtake your life. Because I'm a homebody introvert, I'm on the computer the majority of the time anyway, so blogging is just something to do, but I also love it so I continue to do it.
I feel like you should blog as much or as little as you like and not feel guilty about either. Loyal followers will always continue to come back even if you haven't posted in awhile, and I doubt anyone is going to come back mad at you for being MIA haha. I also agree with Kate about the sponsors. They shouldn't have to affect your content at all. It's YOUR blog and you have the right to post about anything you want, just the fact that people are inquiring about sponsoring you in the first place means they like what you're doing and what you have to say, so don't change that just because a company sends you a few kickbacks every now and then.
and that's my two cents :)
I love this outfit, especially your wedges! Great photos! Just discovered your blog and I'm definitely a new follower! :)
xxx,
Fashion Fractions
First, lovely colors in all of these photos.
If you begin to accept sponsors, I would be less likely to read your posts. That's not a threat, but I've watched myself do it with other bloggers that have grown in that direction.
I took the month of May off from blogging...hard at first and then refreshing. I read eleven books and looked around at the world I'm living in. I snapped photos of things besides outfits. When I resumed I cut back on what had been a daily blogging schedule. I have found a new rhythm that works for me...three times a week. I can keep up on reading blogs that way, plus I do have a life (and a happy lover).
I love the fact that you over-share! I have left a lengthy comment here before about how I feel that I can relate to you and your search for balance in life and work and blog.
My advice to you is to do what your intuition tells you to do. And don't worry about what potential sponsor think about you, if they are contacting you they are obviously interested in what you have to say, if not screw em!
Good luck with your decisions!
p.s. I love your blog and the fact that you share parts of your life that aren't super sunny and perfect!
You definitely hit on an issue I constantly think about... Is it worth it all? Running out at lunch for outfit pics, busting your (ass) to get brands to notice you, networking...
There is no answer... It is all what works for you - whether 1 post or 10. And it may change from time to time, but your loyal followers will always be there :)
I am not a blogger, but understant you absolutely, you started your blog as a little space just for, without any masks and predictable posts.
You is really a fresh air in blogging, of course, all of us, girls, like to watch haul videos and outfit post, but when i feel really bed, it just doesn't help me, i go to "Morgan and Lua" blog and feel that i am not alone.
Please don't change anything, just keep yourself this way, honestly and touching, remember, that it is firstly reflection of you
I've only been reading your blog for a little over a month (loved it so much I went back into the archives!), and I don't have a blog of my own, so I'm not sure I have a whole lot of helpful advice for you. But I will say that I don't mind infrequent posts at all - it doesn't make me want to read your blog any less. I kind of like that you are off living your real life and then come and give us updates and pictures every now and then. It gives you interesting things to share, as opposed to those fashion bloggers that only talk about what they are wearing. (Something that gets tiring and shallow.) The internet is not real life, and I honestly don't think any of us are going to come to the end of our lives and wish we had spent more time online. We need to get out and experience real, face to face relationships and experience life and the world with all of our senses! So I think it's awesome that you do that, and it's one of the things I love about your blog. It's what keeps me coming back. Just my thoughts.
I have to agree. It's not important for me whether a blogger posts every day or every week. That's not why I like/read a blog. I really like your blog, so I'm going to come back no matter what. To be honest, sometimes when my favourite bloggers post every day I get a little anxious because I don't always have time to read and I don't want to miss out on anything! As for sponsors, I don't know anything about that since I don't have any. But I don't know if I would, only because my blog is not my livelihood.
Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the summer and thanks for sharing tidbits here and there :)
Girl. Do it.
If your instinct is to avoid taking sponserships follow your instinct. As a reader I don't care one way or the other if you do or don't but I agree that 99.99% of the time it changes the blog for the worse, especially fashion blogs. When I see c/o all over the place in outfit posts I start to tune out because the outfit no longer feels authentic or attainable to a non-sponsered 20-something clothing lover. Just my two cents!
love the whole Nautical stripes look
great style, and awesome photos
cool blog, you should checkout mine
we should follow each other :)
www.bobbieaustinscloset.blogspot.com
regarding the images: great outfit, even better pictures!
regarding your thoughts: feed readers were made so that we could never miss a writer's post regardless of the frequency. placing unnecessary demands on yourself will lead to burnout and no one wants the results of that. there is no blogging bible that says when you must write. do what feels right, without questioning yourself. trust me, it will feel right to us, too.
may your summer be magnificent,
becky
OH, wow. I am so obsessed with your blog. I just found it. And you are GORGEOUS. I am loving your style and your hair is amazing.
Ask the Duplex
Such a gorgeous outfit! Love the shoes!
I guess it is difficult to find a balance between blogging and "real life". I really love spending time with my blog and thinking about new locations for shoots and all that. But I do try to get out and do "real" stuff as much as possible! I guess for the bloggers that blog for a living it's harder. They have to blog...but otherwise its a wonderful hobby and it's really up to you how much time you want to spend on it!
I hear you.
For me, blogging is a creative outlet without rules or obligations.
And an awesome community to make friends.
Period.
But to each his own.
Those who treat it as a business - more power to them.
Just a different kind of blog.
Hi Morgan--
I was reading your blog and I must say, it's become one of my favorites. (I know you probably get that a lot but really, it's true!)
Aside from loving your fabulous & unapologetic style,I love that you're honest and you do really just keep it real.
Thank you for sharing with us a glimpse of your world. Although I don't have a blog myself, I can relate with a lot of the different topics you put out here. Mostly, I admire your courage to share with us your journey to finding happiness and fulfillment, and your own identity.
Thank you, Morgan. Without knowing it, you've been inspiring and for that, please keep doing what you do. xo, E.
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