What I want to talk about is blogging and self confidence and the odd relationship between the two. I say odd relationship because I wouldn't necessarily describe it as bad, it just definitely affects it in certain ways. Blogging has had a very positive effect on my self confidence. I think it's something to do with putting myself out there and pushing myself out of my comfort zone that has given me a renewed sense of confidence in myself. I'm no longer embarrassed taking outfit pictures while members of the public wonder who the hell I think I am, I don't hide my blog from anyone anymore and I'm more comfortable with myself and my style. I'm also lucky to have lovely blogging friends and readers who big me up and make me feel more confident by being so darn nice (thanks you guysss). I'm still not the most confident person, but when I think back to how I was three years ago before starting this blog to how I am now, somewhere along the way I've learnt to accept myself for who I am.
Then there's the other side, the little creeping thoughts of doubt telling me more people would read my blog if my photography was better, telling me I'd have more Instagram followers if I was thinner, telling me that there's no point in writing anything because I'm never going to be as successful as x, y or z. A more common name for this side is comparison. Comparison is, as they say, the thief of joy and every now and then it drags me down and completely demotivates me. It's actually a lot of work having a blog around a full time job and sometimes comparison makes me want to stop altogether because how can I produce my best work and a blog that I'm truly happy with when I simply don't have the time I'd like to dedicate to it? I'm sure this feeling is something that a lot of people can relate to. (Can we just take a moment to appreciate that 'Beautiful' came on as I was writing this paragraph and it made me giggle a bit because is there a more fitting song? Big up Christina you babe.) At the end of the day I can't compare myself to a full time blogger because I'm not one, but I still do. I think the most important thing to remember is that everyone else does this at some point. We all compare ourselves, self criticise and doubt our abilities and as much as I think we shouldn't, I know it's not something anyone can just switch off.
With the positives of self confidence through blogging there also come negatives, but I suppose that's like everything in life and as long as the positive outweighs the negative (which in my experience it does) then I'm OK with that.
Does blogging give you self confidence?
Amy x
With the positives of self confidence through blogging there also come negatives, but I suppose that's like everything in life and as long as the positive outweighs the negative (which in my experience it does) then I'm OK with that.
Does blogging give you self confidence?
Amy x
I used to be so afraid about other people's opinions of my pictures and blog posts, my friends still tease me for trying to get flatlays of our food. But I agree, my self confidence has rocketed writing my blog and I've found so much enjoyment in writing and photographing for it, that I don't care anymore about opinions on my blog, it's more for me to use as a creative outlet now. I loved reading this post Amy.
ReplyDeleteIgnore my google name from 2007 aha,
Molly x
goodgollymisssmolly.wordpress.com
Ah that's so lovely to hear Molly! I'm glad it's helped your self-confidence too, it's so nice to see how many people blogging has done that for! xx
DeleteSuch a great post and I'm so pleased to hear that blogging has improved your confidence. I can see coming through in your photos in the recent months. It's great to see.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a lovely day!
Gemma x
www.jacquardflower.uk
Ah that's so nice to hear that you've noticed Gemma! xx
DeleteI totally get what you mean Amy, especially with comparisons. Its so frustrating and really serves no purpose! We all blog for different reasons at the end of the day, and no two blogs will ever be the same (nor would we want them to be) xxx
ReplyDeletewww.natalieleanne.com
Yes that's so true Natalie! We definitely wouldn't want to be the same so we shouldn't compare :) xx
DeleteOMG I used to be OBSESSED with Stripped! Such a good album, think I need to dig it out for the car!
ReplyDeleteI'm probably the least confident person you could ever meet and blogging has done wonders for me! If you'd told me 4 years ago that I'd be brave enough to take photos in the middle of a busy restaurant, meet with local PR companies and walk into events on my own I never would have believed you! I'm so thankful every day that this little project pushed me so far out of my comfort zone. I honestly think it's completely changed me as a person!
Ah that's so nice to hear and I'm so glad blogging has done that for you! It's done exactly the same for me, funny isn't it, I totally wouldn't have expected it! And yes Stripped is SO good! xx
DeleteGirl I LOVE how real this post is - I couldn't agree more, I feel the same as you! Blogging really has given me the world of confidence when it comes to putting myself out there and snapping shots, BUT like you said, it's also super easy to compare yourself to others, where it's physically or comparison to their work. I think it's so important to just do what's right for you (especially as you're SUCH a babe!) <3
ReplyDeleteHayley xo
www.frockmeimfamous.com
Aw thank you so much lovely. It's amazing how much confidence it's given me, but yeah the comparison side does suck! I'm sure it happens to everyone though! xx
DeleteAmy these photos are STUNNING. Your outfit pics have been incredible recently! I also completely agree with everything you've said; I can already feel my confidence developing through blogging after a few months, since I've now told a few people about my blog and feel far less awkward taking outfit photos than I initially did. On the flip side it is SO hard to blog alongside a full time job, more so than I ever imagined, and it's incredibly frustrating when you're not able to put your all into the blog through lack of time. I'm the kind of person who likes to do something properly or not at all so I really struggle with the fact that I'm just 'kind of' blogging and am unable to throw myself at it completely. Loved reading this gal and completely relate xxxx
ReplyDeleteSophie | Sophar So Good
Ah thank you so much my lovely. Yeah that's exactly my problem too, forever beating myself up for something I can only realistically do a couple of times a week! Glad your confidence is growing already :) xx
DeleteYou are such a BABE! I've definitely had all the same thoughts as you - I'm constantly comparing my success with that of full-time bloggers which is so toxic because I blog part-time at best! I'm so happy for you though that your self-confidence has gone through the roof and you can tell how comfortable you are with these amazing photos - also your hair looks AMAZING like this girlllllll x
ReplyDeleteAlways, Alice
Aw thank you so much lovely lady! It is toxic isn't it, we need to give ourselves a break! xx
DeleteOne of my all-time favourite quotes is 'comparison is the thief of joy', though like you say, I think we all find ourselves doing it in some way or another, at some point! I love that you're learning to accept yourself as the way you are babe; that's what our twenties are all about, right?!
ReplyDeleteps. LOVING that you're listening to Christina Aguilera's Stripped album ;)
Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice | Estella Bartlett Jewellery Giveaway (Open Worldwide!) x
It's definitely a twenties thing! Haha that album is the best. Thanks so much lovely! xx
DeleteI don't really compare myself to other bloggers - if I see something cool that they do that may inspire me to try something - but I do have friends that always compare themselves to others and it makes them so depressed. The worst is when they say things like "Well on Facecbook, etc" Facebook is not real life! Of course people look shinier and happier on Instagram - I say you do you and make everyone else deal with it ;-) ;-)
ReplyDelete♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.
http://shoe-fiend.blogspot.co.nz/
That's great that you don't compare yourself - we all need to remember that Facebook/Instagram isn't real life and nobody will post a bad picture of themselves! xx
DeleteI feel like I'm still unsure of myself! Sometimes I care other I don't haha!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos as always :D
Alex ox
Yeah it's a bit of a seesaw isn't it! Thanks lovely :) xx
DeleteYou look beautiful! It's nice to know that you've grown as a blogger and you've started to get out of your comfort zone. :)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
SHAIRA
www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com
Thanks lovely, yeah it's so nice that it's happened! xx
DeleteComparison is really a killer, it demotivates and is always something like a friend told me last month, it is like if we feel guilty for our choices in life - and it's not healthy. A very wise friend :) So, we are excellent the way we are, and I am glad that you write and share confidence posts with us! You look very beautiful, I loved the background and your dress is super cool!
ReplyDeleteDenisesPlanet.com
That's an excellent way to think! Thanks so much Denise xx
DeleteWhat an awesome album!! I used to not tell anybody about my blog but now I don't care what people think as much!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend :)
Rosanna x
Rose's Rooftop
That's great that you don't really care anymore! Have a lovely weekend hun xx
DeleteI could not agree more about comparison being the thief of joy! I constantly compare my blog to other people's - there's always someone out there with slicker photography than me, who looks better in their outfit photos, who can actually make a flatlay look good (unlike me), the list goes on! I do think (just like you) that blogging has increased my confidence in that I am now less embarrassed to talk about certain topics (I even addressed sex on my blog this week), but I still need to work on not comparing myself to others! After all, we're all unique and that's something to be celebrated!
ReplyDeleteAbbey 🌻 www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk
It's definitely something to be celebrated! The post you wrote this week was so brave and your blog is so uniquely you I love it! xx
DeleteStripped is such an amazing album! It was so amazing to see the tour too, Christina has a sensational voice! Can complete understand the overwhelming sassiness from listening to this album! Go girl! Blogging has boasted my confidence immensely and my Facebook page was the last one I set up as it took so much for me to air it to my nearest and dearest. I love writing and taking pictures but didn't want to look like I'm showing off. I love how as you get older you care less and less what others think. I'm loving it and not looking back!
ReplyDeleteJaz xoxo
http://www.thelifeofasocialbutterfly.co.uk
Ah wow so jealous you saw the tour! I'm so glad blogging has boosted your confidence! xx
DeleteFirst of all, I CAN'T BELIEVE I MISSED THAT YOU WERE ENGAGED CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Secondly, your blog, and you, are gorgeous and your content is absolutely killing it right now. Be kinder to yourself girl, you're doing so well!
ReplyDeleteElle
xx
Aw thank you lovely! I didn't broadcast it loads haha. And you babe thank you so much that made my day <3 xx
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