15 Things I Learned This Summer As a Blogger

I was originally going to make this just an outfit post, but I honestly believe there’s more to telling you guys how to style something, what I like in what I’m wearing in the post or what I’m currently craving.

So today, I wanted to share with you 15 things I learned this summer as a (fashion) blogger.

If you’re thinking about becoming a blogger or aspiring to be one, I hope my experience this past summer helps give you a behind-the-scenes (BTS) perspective.

1. It’s okay to be stuck in a fashion rut. Sometimes your passion can lose steam. You’ll have those low days where there’s just nothing to write about and that’s okay. Don’t. It’s better to create quality content than quantified content.
2. Taking a Sabbath day is incredibly important, no matter how much you have on your to-do list. I do this once a week to recharge. One day a week, I don’t brainstorm, post on social media, shoot a look, or do nothing related to my blog/brand.
3. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is scary. When I took blogging seriously this year, it was scarier than I thought. Heck, even as a fashion blogger, this dress I’m wearing in this post is a little outside of my comfort zone.
4. Even if you love fashion, it’s okay to love being in comfy clothes. I thought that a true “fashionista” would love to dress up all the time, but you know what? I also love jeans and a tee or changing into my jammies as soon as I get home.
5. Health has a lot to do with your confidence in your style. I firmly believe that fashion can boost one’s confidence. However, if you don’t feel good in the clothes you’re wearing, it affects your confidence too. I learned that if my clothes aren’t fitting me right, I tend to doubt my styling abilities.
6. Posing for photos is harder than it looks. Kudos to professional models out there! It’s a work in progress, but until you have a coffee cup in your hand, it’s hard to figure out what to do with your hands without looking awkward…especially if you’re an average Joe. It’s true. Thank goodness for these pockets, haha!
7. Consignment shops are heaven-sent. So many treasures are waiting to be found at consignment shops. In mint condition, sometimes items are brand new with tags and go for a fraction of the price (like this Kate Spade dress I’m wearing)! If you know how much KS dresses run retail-wise, you’d die if you found out how much you’re saving!
8. Makeup can be addicting. Even if you have a ton of makeup already, there’s something so appealing about trying new makeup even if you already have that kind. Like, wanting to buy a new contour powder when you have and are already using a contour palette.
9. If you love what you do, you won’t mind doing it on the weekends as well. Yep, I definitely don’t mind having the television on in the background as I put together posts. Whether it’s browsing makeup/clothes, writing a post, reviewing my editorial calendar, I love working on my laptop even on weekends.
10. Know your morals/values right from the get go. As a blogger, there were times when I almost gave in to taking the easy route. However, my heart didn’t allow me to because I wanted to work hard to build my brand on integrity. So I set rules for myself: 1) Relationships with readers are #1, 2) Do not buy followers or likes. and 3) If a brand reaches out to you and you know it’s not a good fit, respond anyway. Decline with respect and tell them why. It’s a win-win for both sides.
11. Blogging is hard especially when you have a day job. Balancing a blog with a day job is a lot harder than I expected. I usually take my lunch break to write my posts. If I can’t finish a post, I’ll wrap up my post on my iPhone. Typing on my iPhone is not my preference at all. However, I’m blessed I have the ability and means to do what I love.
12. Vloggers can definitely be a source of your inspiration. Some people are good at writing. Creating videos are others’ gift. Some can do both. Sometimes watching a vlogger’s work can add massive amounts of inspiration when you find your tank is empty of inspiration.
13. Investing in luxury designer goods starts to get more and more appealing as you get older. There’s no point in buying five inexpensive pairs of jeans in a year that’s made of cheap materials (and supporting dangerous working conditions) when I can buy a pair or two of nice jeans that will last me for years.
14. Don’t take every opportunity that comes your way. Even if you’re a small blogger, it’s okay to turn companies away that don’t fit your brand. It’s okay to ask questions before you commit or sign a contract. If they don’t respond or communicate often, you’re not a good fit. Put that email in a folder labeled ‘DNR’ (Do Not Resuscitate) and do just that. Leave it alone. You’ll thank yourself later. There were times when I almost gave in to taking everything that came my way, but my heart stopped me. If a company and I don’t fit, I just won’t do it. I don’t care how long it takes me to build my brand/following.
15. The blogging world has catty girls, but there are some amazing ones. I had a hard time with this at the beginning because I heard a lot of stories of bloggers sabotaging one another, broken friendships and the like. So it was natural to be leery about this saturated industry as a whole. Until I saw how amazing women like Lydia, and Marianna treated me and others, I began to see things differently and that not all women are bad. This area is something I’m still working on because I had bad experiences with women growing up.

What about you? If you’re a blogger or not, what is it that you’ve learned about fashion lately?