Happy FRI-YAY! I am so glad it’s FINALLY Friday. I slept in, I didn’t have 9am yoga (not that I don’t love yoga, but I love sleeping in ), last night I had an AMAZING dinner out with some sweet girl friends (ps it is SO important to have friends as an adult)…it’s been a KILLER week and I was inspired to write about how I’ve totally changed since starting my blog and how blogging has made me a better person. Let’s do this.
SHOP MY OUTFIT HERE (similar):
How Blogging Has Made Me A Better Person
SO. Full disclosure. I don’t actually love the term “blogging”. To me, it doesn’t encompass everything I do on a daily basis to build my business and my brand. I prefer the term “influencer marketing”, because that’s more of what I do. I think people tend to brush off blogging as an actual job, and when I would say I was a full-time blogger, people cast knowing glances at each other and would roll their eyes and say, “no, what’s your REAL job?”. So to avoid negative connotations and to more fully describe my job, I’ve gone with Influencer Marketer. But the title “How Influencer Marketing Has Made Me A Better Person” just didn’t roll off the tongue as nicely. So here we are. Anyways. Read on.
Reason #1: I am a LOT less judgmental.
I think this is because I KNOW what goes on behind the scenes of a perfectly curated Instagram post.I have been there. I know what it takes to get the perfect shot, or write a beautiful article the night before. It’s HARD trying to plan your life around picture perfect moments so you can have a beautiful feed on every social media. I don’t judge those girls taking selfies of their food anymore. For all I know, that could be content for their biggest sponsored post that month. OR they could just REALLY like their food and want to stick it in a memory book someday. On the flip side, I’ve stopped judging people who don’t clean their house top to bottom every day. That’s LIFE. Somedays, I barely get the house straightened up before A gets home because even though I work from home, I am SO BUSY. All. Day. Long. So, I don’t judge as much anymore. I don’t have TIME to. I’m too busy building an empire over here. You do you!
Reason #2: I have a LOT thicker skin.
Let’s face it. People on the internet are MEAN. Now I know what you’re saying. “Taylor, you are a ray of yellow sunshine. How can people be mean to you?” and trust me I had the same thought (sarcasm in case you didn’t catch my drift). But for some reason, when someone is sitting behind a computer screen, they can say some pretty nasty things. I’ve gotten lots of mean comments, emails, inboxes. And it hurt. It hurt my feelings a LOT. However, at the end of the day, I have to remember that what they choose to do to make themselves feel better is more of a reflection on THEM than it is on me.
Reason #3: I have learned what kind of friends I want to surround myself with.
I’m a lucky, lucky woman. I have the BEST friends. Some of my best friends in the world? I met through blogging. We talk everyday, FaceTime once a week and have supported each other through a lot more than just our blogs. That carries over into my regular in-person life, too. I love surrounding myself with strong and empowered women. Women who build each other up instead of sneakily tearing them down. I want to be around women that celebrate each other’s accomplishments rather than boil with envy. I know what kind of friend I want to be because of this, too. My girls cheer when I cheer, cry when I cry and back me up 1000%. They aren’t wishing I would fail so they could surpass me. They want us to win together.
Reason #4: It is OKAY to not be perfect.
In fact, most people prefer it. When I started blogging, I wanted to showcase a beautiful and perfectly organized life. Not a thing out of place, bright white walls, expertly decorated rooms…and while I’d still like to get there at some point in my life, it’s not where I’m at right now. I’m in an apartment. With a limited budget. And a kitten who knocks EVERYTHING over. Sometimes I forget to fold all the laundry, or a pan is left in the kitchen sink. People relate better to that anyways. I don’t want to be unattainable.
Reason #5: I developed skills I didn’t know I had.
Being an influencer marketer is kind of like working 20 jobs 24/7. I am a graphic designer. I am a web developer. I am a writer. I am an editor. I am a photographer. I am a videographer. I am a video editor. I am a marketing specialist. I am a social media specialist. I am a coding genius. I am an office manager. I am a brand marketer. I am a home decorator. I am a makeup artist. The list could LITERALLY go on and on and on when it comes to what my job fully encompasses. Please keep in mind that my degree is in Biochemistry. Does that sound like ANYTHING I just named? Nope. No it does not. That means everything I just listed, I learned by myself. On my own. Using a computer and Google. I am proud of how far I’ve come.
Reason #6: I am less selfish.
My entire goal in life is to bring you value. Every day. All the time. Every post I make, every blog I write, every picture I take is done with the intent that it will help someone, somewhere, some time. Yes, it’s fun, but it wouldn’t be any fun if nobody was reading what I was writing. So many of you come to my blog everyday to read my posts and if just ONE person out of those hundreds is helped by what I do, it’s worth it. 100%.
PIN THIS FOR LATER:
There are more reasons that I could name. But I think these are the MOST important. I am growing everyday while I experience this with you guys. There isn’t a formula for my job. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all handbook.
ALSO: The beautiful jewelry showcased in today’s post are from the shop Her Silver Lining. I am literally obsessed with all her pieces. SHOP THEM HERE.
I am SO grateful to have you all as my friends. If I’ve helped you at all, or brought value to your life in anyway, shoot me an email! I’d love to hear about it. 🙂
Love love love this post! I can relate on so many levels. I’m still in the beginning stages of blogging, but I feel like I’ve learned so much too! Influencer marketing is definitely the all-encompassing title that we deserve to have. You go girl! Thanks for the inspiration and motivation. <3
Jenn
http://www.honeydewblog.com
You are SO welcome girl!!! <3 I'm glad you found it helpful!!
Reason #4 and #1, #2 are my favorites! You always need to stay grounded as a blogger, but at the same time not be phased by the haters! Go girl!
http://stopdropandvogue.com
Thanks Taylor! 🙂 #hatersgonnahate
I am so glad I found this post, I have even saved it so that I can keep reading it from time to time. Blogging has changed my life too given me a sense of purpose and an opportunity to express myself wholeheartedly in this big wide world. By the way I just adopted the name influencer marketer, it sounds way better.
Yay! That makes me so happy!! And I’m glad you like the term! I think it is WAY better and sounds so much more professional!
You go girl! I totally feel like blogging has made me a better person as well. I agree with nearly all of the points you’ve made.
I’m so glad!!! 🙂
I have met some of my best friends through blogging as well! The community is priceless <3
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
AMEN! I am so grateful.
This is awesome! I am new to blogging, and I often feel overwhelmed with all the different hats I have to wear in one day. Blogging is NOT just writing as I originally thought. I spend every minute of every day trying to figure out how to edit photos, navigate social media, and resolve technical issues… and it can get discouraging. Thanks for being the light at the end of my tunnel!
Yes. EXACTLY. You are SO welcome!!!
I am on board with what you say in this article right from the beginning of why the term “blogger” does not quite suit you. I too have learned alot and grown as a person.
Thanks Elise! It’s a great thing to see yourself grow as a person!
Such a great post! I can so relate! Answering the “what is it that you do?” question is definitely hard and complicated.. I usually answer, marketing 😉
Have a great weekend!
xo, Jessy | http://www.currentbliss.com
Yep! I always say something along the lines of marketing!! It’s easier!
Such a great post! I love the term influence marketer.
It’s a great way to describe what we do!
This post is so true. You definitive grow has a person when you have a blog. The world is much bigger.
Thanks for reading Jessica. You are so right!
I love this so relatable and true , blogging really makes you see things in different ways. I am still pretty new at this but from when I started up to now I can actually say that I am proud of what I am doing and it gives me motivation to keep going. This was a really inspiring post for me, thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome! It is SO worth it at the end of the day!
Love this post! I can totally relate. I think I definitely have a thicker skin now then I did before I started blogging. Also I am more comfortable in my own skin.
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
Me, too. I feel more confident than I ever have!
omgoodness these are great points! I never thought about it but I can so relate especially to #3 and #5. I have come so far since I started blogging I like to look at it as therapy.
Me too! I feel so proud of how far I’ve come!
Love this post SO much, Taylor. Love your honest and I am totally with you. Blogging has definitely made me a better person for sure, and happier too. <3
Thanks Kristen! I am SO happy you liked it! <3
Wow I totally agree with all of these. This is such a great post and very well written.
xo,
Steph
@trendyinindy || trendyinindy.com
Thank you so much Steph!!
I love this post girl! I completely agree with all your thoughts. I think blogging has also sparked a creative side in me and a more business side that I didn’t know I had
– xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
Completely agree! I know more about business now than I ever have!
You already know how I feel about this cos TWINS. Also I lovelovelove the Bloguad shoutout HOLLAH! I’m with 1000000%. Always. PS we’re overdue for our Facetime today. 😉
Coming Up Roses
I KNOW TEXTING YOU RN
This is such a great post babe!! I totally agree with every single thing you mentioned in this post and agree that blogging definitely makes you have thicker skin!
Thanks Ashley! I am glad you liked it!
You are a total #GIRLBOSS!
Thanks Lady!!!!
i’m so intrigued!!
Taylor, this is so so lovely! Not only do I love the lessons you’ve learned, I also love how raw and real this post is. My favorite posts are when I feel like I know the person behind the screen better. Thank you for building a blog that keeps bringing me back!
You are so welcome Amanda. I so appreciate your kind words!
This post resonates with me SO much, especially #2. You’re SO right, when people make mean comments, it’s really about THEM and their insecurities. And, I love the point you make about the term blogging not encompassing all that we do. Thanks SO much for sharing your heart.
You are so welcome. Thank you SO much for reading. <3
This is amazing! I absolutely LOVE this!
Thank you girl!!!
Yes to all of this! Especially the thick skin!
Totally agree with all of these, especially the thicker skin one!
ALL. THE. YES. Girlfriend this is SPOT on!! I love all of your points and was nodding “yes” to all of them! Especially having thicker skin and developing so many things you didn’t know you could do before. Also, it really isn’t fair how freakin’ perfect you look with a bun! 😉
I really love this post. As someone who is pretty new to blogging, it is definitely a lot harder than most people think that it is. But I learn more about it everyday.
This post makes me so excited about being a new blogger! Great read!
#3 and #4! I really began connecting more with my followers after becoming more vulnerable and open about my personal life.
I can really relate to your six reasons. I love the person that I’ve become since starting my blog almost two years ago. It’s amazing!
Beth || http://www.TheStyleBouquet.com
Love this post, so relatable!
You ways have the loveliest posts. This is so relatable from 1-6 ????. I hope to continue to grow and progress the way you have.
All of these reasons – yes!! Hands down, yes.
It’s amazing how blogging changes you! I have love all the things I’ve learned about myself as well as all of the new friendships I’ve made along the way!!
Joy
http://www.basicallyjoy.com/
I literally love this post so much! First off, I had no idea your degree is in biochemisty – that is seriously cool (I have mine in forensic anthropology so I totally understand). Secondly, even though I’m a new blogger, I found myself nodding along with so many of your reasons. Especially about being less judgmental and discovering skills I never knew I had!
What a great post!! I can definitely agree with everything you said!! And I love the pieces you shared here, they are gorgeous!
I’ve been blogging for 8 years, and blogging has changed my life too. I think it’s so cool that you have a degree in biochemistry!!
Totally agree with you on the part about developing a thicker skin – for better or worse, blogging has definitely done that for me too!
That is so amazing, i think it is so nice to hear a positive note and result!
Taylor, I absolutely agree with all of this!! I began blogging almost 10 years ago, but the way it has morphed has definitely led to a thicker skin and less judgment! Plus, I’m pretty sure I talk to my blog besties more frequently than my IRL besties
Fantastic post! There is so much that goes behind blogging, and a lot of people don’t realize that. You just do you!
-Lauren
Aww this is such a sweet post! Thanks for sharing your stories of blogging!
Beautiful Post! So heartfelt and real!
Yesss!! I’m obsessed with this! I relate so much.
http://www.maggiealamode.com
This is such a great post and I relate to it so much! Thanks for sharing!
I seriously stopped to read this post and I applaud you. I hate the word “blogger” as well! You are totally right about the negative comments and the strange looks and the whispers when I tell people what I do. Also get to hone in my skills as a graphic and web designer and I feel like in a general having my blog has helped me grow into something I love. I did not fit well in the 9 to 5 category. I have always been a creative type. My blog has allowed me to do that. And while I do have freelance gigs on the side, everyone knows who runs a successful blog knows its blogging is 24/7. No breaks or vacations!
I loved reading this post! There are so many great things I have learned from blogging as well. The amazing friends and the ability to be creative has just been amazing and my favorite part of the journey!
Anna || A Lily Love Affair
This post is amazing. And so true. I love reason number 5. It is so true how you become so many different roles just to become a blogger.
Thanks for sharing!!! The friendship part is soo true. Made some of my best friends blogging but also learned quickly who weren’t my friends as well. Thanks babe! Xx Julien
#5 is so true!!
awe I love this post!! So honest and inspiring and has made me reflect bit on myself too. beautiful!
Hi Taylor! I love this post! I agree with you that sometimes saying I’m a Blogger tends to leave a bad tastes in people’s mouths. I have started using the term Social Media Influencer when describing what I do. It covers a broader spectrum of skills, responsibilities and even opportunities!