I’ve been blogging for a long time, not quite one of the grandmas of blogging but maybe a great aunt. After over four years in the game, I suffered a bit of blogger burnout. Over the last few months, my passion has just dwindled which has been more than evident in my posts. Truth be told, blogging has really changed. It used to be friendly and there was a great community, lots of the girls I met along the way have become close friends. But things have changed a lot since those days. Now, blogging seems to be about competition and being better than the next person; going to event after event and working with X, Y and Z brands in a quality rather than quantity capacity. And don’t get me started on the blagging: a dress here, front row seat at a fashion show there.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m really grateful to have attended some incredible events and it is lovely getting the occasional PR present in the post but that’s not what this is all about, and a lot of people seem to have either forgotten about it or never knew that in the first place. Over the years, things like integrity and principles seem to have been sacrificed in favour of stuff, stuff which doesn’t really mean anything. As a blog reader, I want to know what you like, not what someone sent you. Moreso, I want to read what you are interested in, not what landed in your inbox that afternoon. Whether anyone has implicitly said this or not, there is an element of competition between bloggers and a pressure to become friendly with PRs, to “get in there”.
I know people who have written things or tweeted things just because they want something from a PR. I know a PR who received chocolates from a blogger to thank them for an event invite. I know a blogger who heard about an organised trip then sought out the organiser to “get chummy with for the next one”, her words not mine. I’ve seen blog posts which are nothing more than a carbon copy of a press release. This is not blogging. This is why blogging gets a bad rep.
On a personal note, I got so sucked into daily blogging and trying to keep on top of my inbox that I lost sight of any I even started. As the volume of blogger-savvy PRs and then events increased, keeping on top of everything just became impossible. I have a career too so as work life began to take off, my window for blogging got smaller and instead of scaling back, I tried to carry on but that’s just not sustainable. Press day season became a mountain of invites and life outside work became a never ending list of fashion events. How do you shoehorn a social life in between all that?
Once upon a time, that was my life, it was great and I loved it. Blogging may not have evolved as much as simply move forward, but I have. Fashion used to be what I lived and breathed but my life is richer now and I don’t want to be a slave to events just to show my face. I don’t want to go to the launch party for a brand I’m semi interested in, I want to have dinner with friends at that restaurant with the amazing view instead (if you haven’t been to Duck & Waffle, GO). I’m still inspired by fashion and I can’t help but gasp at couture but I’m as inspired by music, food and travelling.
After a few months of halfhearted posts, I’ve come to a decision. Blogging used to be something I loved and I’m making the decision to go back to basics. I loved blogging because I blogged about what I loved, and that’s all my blog is going to be from now on. Whether it’s fashion, music, food or travel. I hope you enjoy this new phase and continue to grow with me.
Well written, Reena and I agree with a lot of it. looking forward to reading your future posts 🙂
I hear you, brother. Spot on. I've fallen out of love with blogging myself, but you're right – we just need to focus on why we started in the first place.
I look forward to seeing your upcoming posts, totally agree with your points!Maria xxx
I will totally be here. Love you and love your blog, girl!
I was reading this and it looked like it was leading toward you saying you were going to quit! I'm very glad it didn't end that way :)I can really relate to what you're saying (although it's not so pronounced in my niche). If I wanted to read press releases and glittering reviews of everything I would buy a magazine, I read blogs to get a real person's view, so I'm happy to see you're going back to what inspires you.
couldn't have said it better myself hun, sooooo true. Keep blogging though , you're on my blogs to read list xx
You know I still love you Reena. xxx
Tired of reading the sponsored posts, fake 'rave reviews' and everyone wearing the same sponsored posh crap – *bored*! i like originality & refreshing ideas that's why i read blogs.. if not i can just buy more magazines, right?! Anyway, can't wait to read your new posts! 🙂 xxx
What an interesting read – half way through I thought you were going to say you were giving up!Glad to hear you are carrying on. I agree with you, there does seem to be so much competition amongst fashion blogges especially, as to who can get invited to the best show, event launch, star in an advert etc etc,.I prefer, like you, to read blogs where is it the person behind the blog who is talking and you know it is real.Will be following your blog now for future reading.
I think blogging has to about something you love otherwise it loses its appeal. Such a shame that blogging has got so competitive. One of the main reasons that I enjoy blogging is that I like the community aspect. I don't live near London and go to any of the events though so I think I do miss out on quite a bit of this side of it.
I check in on your blog regularly and your post was quite refreshing. I, too, am tired of reading advertisements disguised as personal blog posts. Happy to know you will continue blogging and I promise to keep reading!Natasha
Oh thank goodness for that! I thought you were about to say you were quitting! I started blogging because you told me to. Lol, ok because you said that other people may like to hear about my random child raring mishaps. It was your passion and the sheer excitement in your eyes when you spoke about blogging that made me give it a try and for that I am eternally thankful. You are such an interesting woman, blog about all the things that excite you and I'm sure we'll all love it too x
Oh thank goodness for that! I thought you were about to say you were quitting! I started blogging because you told me to. Lol, ok because you said that other people may like to hear about my random child raring mishaps. It was your passion and the sheer excitement in your eyes when you spoke about blogging that made me give it a try and for that I am eternally thankful. You are such an interesting woman, blog about all the things that excite you and I'm sure we'll all love it too x
Well said, Reena. I often have to fight the urge to "improve" my blog and make it more professional looking. But that would mean taking fun out of blogging. thanks for this post,Mayahttp://byebyesoccermom.blogspot.com/