Two Year Blogging Review.......
Okay, wow. Last Thursday, my little space on the internet turned 2!!! I cannot believe I have been blogging for two years! I have learned SO much in just a short amount of time and I know this is just the beginning. I've got big plans for my blog in 2018!!
But first, I wanted to review why I started my blog and my high's and low's over the past 2 years.
Before I started my blog, I was following several bloggers and had been for a few years. Every aspect of their life looked perfect and it really intrigued me. I wanted to know more - I began to wonder if I had what it took to do what they do. I started researching what all went into blogging and how they actually made money from it and it looked pretty easy...but that's just it. It's HARD to make it look easy. Blogging is FAR, and I mean WAY FAR from easy. And I haven't really even started taking it seriously yet (that's going to change).
I have always had a love for clothes, says every girl ever haha. No, but seriously! When I was 2, my dad bribed me with panty hose and make-up to stop sucking my pacifiers - and it totally worked haha!! I blame my parents for starting my shopping addiction early!! My mom said I would constantly change clothes throughout the day; she couldn't keep up with what was clean and what was dirty haha! As I got older, I remember always looking for and wanting the newest trends. I eventually got a subscription to Seventeen magazine and could not wait to see the new season's trends and beauty tips every month! I have always been that girl that would rather dress up every single day than wear a t-shirt and yoga pants. In high school, People always asked me why I never wore t-shirts and it was honestly because I loved dressing up!!
All of this to say, I 100% have a passion for styling outfits, and the bloggers I followed for years pushed me to start my blog. It most definitely wasn't a decision I took lightly. I was so afraid of what the people I knew from my hometown would think of me and also wondered if people would even want to follow me. My biggest fear was failing. I am a very observant person and I do not do anything without having everything thought and planned out. It took me months to decide on a blog name. I had a little notebook where I would write any words that came to mind that I thought described me, in hopes something would come from it. I think I originally was going to do MorganBlake.com, but that was taken So I decided to add something to it and couldn't think of anything better than Simply!! Because it really is just simply me! 100% my honest opinions!
After I had my name picked out and my site created, I started freaking out. I really did not think I had what it took to be a blogger. I remember asking my mom to take a few pictures of me, and then I was going to decide if I could do it or not! I thought the pictures turned out pretty good, and from that moment I decided to really start the blogging journey. The picture below is from my very first blog post!
And here I am, 2 years later and SO SO thankful I took the plunge and joined the blogging community. I had NO idea how saturated it was until I actually started. There are literally so many fashion bloggers!! I am blessed to have met so many sweet girls through blogging. I still do not know everything there is to know, but I'm learning. I believe there is always room for improvement and this blog is definitely getting improved this year!!
The low's of blogging.
The #1 thing I hate to do is take pictures. Shocking, I know!!! But when it's below freezing outside and you're shooting Spring looks, it sucks. BTW VERY thankful for my photographers, my mom and John!! They have to brace the weather too and stop what they're doing when I decide I want to take pictures haha. They are always up to the challenge with minimal complaints!! But seriously though, I just get tired of changing in the back of a car and doing the same poses over and over!
Another low is the pressure. Like I said before, I felt that there was a certain standard I had to meet in order to start blogging. In no way did I feel that I met that standard. I, and I'm sure most of us do this, get caught up in comparing myself to others. Now that I am a blogger, I follow a ton of others that give me inspiration - it's a huge community. However, this is the root of the problem. I get stuck into thinking there is a certain way to look/dress/act, and this is a big no no.
All of that to say is just BE YOU. Do what you love, and it will all pan out! Eventually, you won't think twice about what people think.
The high's of blogging.
Hands down - you - my followers!! Blogging would be nothing without those that follow along for daily inspiration. I am so appreciative of yall that follow me. I absolutely love connecting with yall through Instagram - P.S. if yall ever purchase something from my links, please share with me! That is my favorite part by far!! I love seeing what I do actually make a difference.
Whenever yall wanna say hi or ask a question or whatever it may be, just do it! I always reply :)
Another high is the community!! I have met some of the sweetest girls through blogging! When I lived in Memphis, we had several blogger meet ups and they were literally the best. It's so weird meeting people that you see on social media everyday, but in a good way haha!
And last but not least, the amazing companies I have worked with!! I have collaborated with Rocksbox, Happy Mane, The Mint Boutique, Smile Brilliant, Jord Watches, Aden and Claire Jewelry, Sugarfix by BaubleBar, Eva NYC, Printable Happies, and so many more!!
My goals for 2018.
My goal for 2017 was to get 5K Instagram followers, and I exceeded it!
My goal for Instagram this year is to get 10K and I'm going to work really hard to do so.
For my blog, I am going to put a ton more effort into it. Honestly, I really don't take care of this blog like I should. Instagram could stop tomorrow, and all I would have left is the space. This year, I am going to push harder. I'm planning on working with some amazing companies and cannot wait to see what this year brings!! My main goal is to put this blog first.
THANK YALL SO MUCH FOR FOLLOWING ME!! Seriously, I could not do it without yall.
XO, Morgan
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