are blogs outdated?

 What I'm Wearing:

h&m denim kimono. - h&m jersey vest top. -  asos denim culottes. - primark sling back shoes (similar)

Some weeks back I ran a poll on Instagram asking if anyone reads blogs anymore. 

42% said YES.

58% said NO.

I wont lie, it was a contributory factor as to why things have been slow on the blog this year. Why make content if no one is going to read it or make the effort to click the "link in bio". But do you know how lazy that last bit sounds!? 

We happily binge watch TV shows or Youtube for a day or more without question, yet we dont blink an eye to the books gathering dust on our shelves, so much so that "read more books" has become a popular new years resolution!!!. And if your anything like me, you have a bunch of online articles saved in your twitter DM's, that you promised yourself you'd go back to read later, but surprise surprise...

While writing this I'm reminded of the hours I used to spend reading Company magazine. I loved that magazine. These days I cant even remember the last time I read a magazine from cover to cover. Do you? I know we all take pictures with them on our instagram though...

Its crazy how our attention spans have diminished over the years.

We have become lazy and time poor...

...and Instagram knows it.

Sure we grumble. We hate the algorithm. The rollercoaster of engagement and lack of visibility of our content. Were tired of comments like "love the skirt" and "great post" and the fake followers, speaking of which, I especially hate that an abundance of hair companies keep following me! Like what is that about??? 

Instagram plays games and yet we are willing participants. 

This highly addictive platform that has us scrolling through our timelines first thing in the morning and last thing at night, was once an innocent platform for photo-sharers, but now the stakes on what you share are high. 

It has become a place of perfectly curated pictures of breakfast bowls, holiday destinations, relationship and fitness goals, makeup tutorials, mini vlogs, a place for beautiful people to look even more beautiful, home decor, fashionova (lol) and my favourite...outfit inspiration.

With one tap, I can find out what he/she is wearing in an instant and just by swiping up I can shop the item there and then.No waiting for a blogpost to load. No trawling through endless text and pictures just to discover the brand name. Instagram have made themselves the place to be and stay, opening swipe up links within the app, so its easier to go back to your timeline by clicking the "x" button. 

Has social networking changed the perception of what a blogger looks like today. Definitely.  

In the past, I have signed up to blogging programmes to help me connect with brands, but the catch is in order to qualify to even be considered, I have to have 15,000 or more followers on Instagram! 

Success within the blogosphere has become less about quality blog content and readership and more about numbers on Instagram, this is evident as some of the big instagram influencers dont even have blogs! Brands look at numbers, because they believe that a influencers following will become their following, but if you know about #instagrambotgate, inorganic growth and bots is a reality of some influencers "popularity". Their engagement is poor. 

And lets talk about this "Influencer" title for one minute. 

"Influencer" takes what i do and makes it about what i can do for a marketing team or brand. I'm a blogger/youtuber. i have influence, but its not why i do what i do..."

Caroline Hiron's quote, from her interview with Diary Directory, sums up my feelings about this title us bloggers seem to be rolling with these days. Personally, I got into blogging to inspire peoples confidence with style and show off my outfits! I've always worn things that my family/friends have been questionable about lol, but blogging allowed me into a community that just got it and understood fashhuuuuuun and personal style. The reality of blogging being a tangible job of course peaks my interest, who wouldnt want the opportunity to work for themselves and with brands you love, travel and have new and exciting experiences?? Hello I do! But that doesn't mean I want to feel like everytime you engage with me that I'm trying to sell you something. I want people to think of me as a source of inspiration and if I inspire you to purchase something great! I have influence, but its not why I do what I do...

wearing: h&m denim kimono jacket

Thats why even though your blog may not be experiencing the numbers of readership it did in the past, I dont think you should give up on it.

There's an audience that dont always want fast content and dont fall too easily down the rabbit hole that keeps them on Instagram for hours. An audience who'll happily check in on the latest posts on Bloglovin', who spend time reading thoughtful, in-depth rambles. Those are the people we write for, blog for, an audience who doesn't think its too much effort to click the "link in bio".

I feel like there is a little more freedom with blogging, people understand if you disappear offline, live life and then finally come back and update everyone on the latest happenings, share stories and thoughts. But with social media having this constantly "switched on" mentality, we now worry that if we dont post often we'll become irrelevant and now some of us spend more time documenting our lives instead of actually living them. 

And its not just Instagram to blame. We post to Tumblr, we tweet, pin away to boards, Snapchat or update our Facebook statuses. Even though we complain about the impacts of social media, we have at least one of these apps on our phone that we refresh and check everyday. We have embraced it as part of our lives. 

On a positive note, like I said earlier if the landscape of blogging hadn't changed who knows if we would have seen women championing this industry and making it possible for blogging to be a career. I mean what a proud and inspiring moment to see Patricia Bright on the cover of Glamour magazine! My 2011 self that discovered her through this video is screaaaaaming!

So are blogs outdated? Maybe a little. 

But dead, nah.

Remember when people thought online shopping was the end of the high street? Well let me tell you, your a fool if you think weekend shopping in Oxford Street or Westfield is a good idea. A foool! Even with the dreadful (but magically beautiful) snowfall, we had a couple weeks ago, the high street was alive and kicking! And just as the high street still exists, so will blogging, for those who choose (can be bothered) to read or write them.

I'd love to get a discussion going and hear your thoughts on this topic in the comments section.

My blog is definitely here to stay so support your gal! Follow me here...hey if you dont ask, dont get lol.

on the dot.

 What I'm Wearing:

berskha polka dot wrap top (similar here).  - mango white frayed jeans. - river island oval sunglasses. 

Happy thursday beauties! The sun is finally shining in London today and I just feel x10 better when the sun is shinning! It's not quite time to stop wearing a jacket, but its better than having snow so I cant complain! Anyways, with the typical British weather talk out the way, lets continue todays post... 

I'm sharing another fashion week trend inspiration, the print of spring/summer 2018: Polka Dots. 

This 60's classic print is replacing last years obsession with gingham and showed up on the SS18 runway in innovative ways, my favourites being Jason Wu (I wish I owned this dress), Jacquemus, Blumarine; and I really appreciated the pop of colour from Dior, Caroline Herrera, Valentino and Prada.

Its never long before runway trends make it onto the high street and us "fashionistas" have adopted them as our own.

I scored my top from the Bershka sale, so unfortunately it's unavailable, but before I owned it, the furthest I'd ever gone with this trend was wearing polka dot hair clips, that my mum insisted I wear to school! It was definitely unheard of to wear it outfit-wise, because you ran the risk of being called "Minnie mouse". Not a good look back then...kids can be cruel lol. I'd see the print, as a teenager, and always steer away for that very reason. We thank God for growth and evolving fashion tastes! 

I paired my top with white jeans, which seems to be the norm and I'm on the hunt for a dress like this to wear with white kicks like Camille Charriere, above. You wont believe how many polka dot items there are on the high street, its so hard to choose! I've narrowed down the selection in my top picks:

TOPS.

TROUSERS & SKIRTS.

DRESSES & JUMPSUITS.

SHOES.
Have you spotted any thing you like? I mean just look at this dress! It's got my name dotted all over it...😏

its ok if your not there yet.

 Dress: Primark (alternatives linked below) - Shoes: H&M (similar here) - Fedora: Missy Empire -  Sunglasses: Asos 

You cant hide from it on social media, I'm always discussing it with friends, praying about it to God and trying to make sense of it all with my parents who dont see things the way I do.

Life goals.

1. Get good grades

2. Secure the best job

3. Become financially stable

4. Settle down

5. Own property

6. Have children

In today's society there is so much pressure to be successful and the bragging culture on social media intensifies this feeling that everyone seems to have their s**t together. 

Jemma's changed her facebook status from "in a relationship" to "enagaged". Mark just got a promotion. Kelly and Ben just posted a picture of the keys to their new house. Ashley's moving abroad for a new job. Camila's bought a brand new car! Nina is having a baby...again.

Does it make me a failure at life, if none of these are my reality?

Sometimes it can certainly feel like it is and its really hard to not to get caught up in the comparison game.

The average life spans 80 years and society tells us that by 30 years old you should have already gone through these life events. But why the rush? Why is success measured by only these goals in particular? What do I do for the rest of my 50+ years. Wait for retirement and death? Why do we consider our lives obsolete past a certain timeframe? 

Its time for a reality check if you feel like your running out of time.

Redefine what success means to you

Its time to get out of your own way by thinking success can only be achieved one way and by a certain age. And its definitely time to shift your perception and realise success is different for everyone. Let go of "should" - countless influences highlight what we should have, should be doing, should buy. Stop being spoon-fed society's norms and you'll have the freedom to make the choices right for you. 

Trust The Process

Yup cliché I know, but if you really take the time to break it down its more than just a clever IG hashtag. 

Its the crux of this argument. 

Relentlessly pursuing a certain ideal will only bring you stress. Put some distance between the goals and your happiness and in time you will learn that the latter is not dependent on the former. Dont let slow progress fool you to believe you cant be proud of the life your living. IT IS STILL PROGRESS. Life is too precious to squander your years feeling unworthy and not enough.

Focus on enjoying the journey, not just the destination.

WHAT IM WEARING

Live out your own timeline.
Dont let anyone else's success define your own. Just because they may be "winning" doesn't mean your failing! The only person you should be competing with is yourself and the only thing that will limit you is your thinking. If J.K Rowling believed she was "past it" and not as talented as other writers we'd never have seven Harry Potter books. A world without Harry Potter...wtf!??

Celebrate who you are. There's only one you and you cant spend your time wishing you were someone else!!!!! Focus on you and take the time to really know who you are. What we think of ourselves is more important than ticking off society's stereotypical boxes.

You get one life, stop rushing it along.

Some things may take a little longer but you have time.

I promise you its ok if your not there yet.