The Friend Friday project by Modly Chic is a way for bloggers to share more about themselves and create a friendly connection with other bloggers. Katy of Modly Chic sends us questions weekly, and we answer on our blogs.
I’ve been MIA from Friend Friday for awhile, but this week’s topic has reignited why I participated in the first place. Friend Friday is about improving ourselves as bloggers and building a community. We approach topics that may seem taboo in the fashion blogging community but help us all to be better bloggers.
1. Have you ever looked at someone’s blog and thought yours will never measure up?
Am I human? There have been many times that I have looked or read a blog and thought “Holy crap, this blog is amazing!” and immediately felt like shutting down my WordPress and packing my up my blogging boots. Early on in my blogging days, I let this affect me and even influence the types of content I put out. My insecurity with my own voice and value led me to believe that there was no way I could reach the level of other blogs. Over time I’ve realized that being envious or feeling like your work is inferior is futile and just because someone’s blog is quality doesn’t make your blog sub par.
There are so many blogs out there that make me want to burn my notebook: Gala Darling, Grit & Glamour, Dramatis Personae, Agent Lover, Beautifully Invisible, Karla’s Closet, but instead of running for the hills and giving up I use these excellent blogs as totems and fuel to work harder on improving myself, my writing and my blog. There is room for every blog!
2. Do you (did you) feel pressure to meet some kind of undefined standard for fashion bloggers?
In life there is this unspoken pressure to meet a standard; we feel pressure from our families, our jobs, our friends. It’s unfortunate but it is a part of life. For me, in the beginning I felt like I had to have the latest American Apparel piece, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, or be a skinny White/Asian/Eastern European teen girl. For the best, I was never able to become a skinny Asian girl and ultimately I had to realize that I could get busy being myself and work on making the best fashion blog that Fajr could.
The only requirement to being a great blogger is to be YOURSELF. There are so many fashion bloggers who subscribe to the formula: latest trend + quirky pose = Fashion blogging success. If that is who you are then I say more power to you. But if you are trying to fit a mold, then maintaining a blog you love and can nurture overtime will be exceedingly difficult. Gratefully, the pressure to fit the mold has passed and now the only pressure I feel is to be the best blogger I can be.
3. Many established fashion bloggers are also extraordinary DIYers, bakers, and crafty people. Do you think you need to combine all of these things to be successful at blogging?
I truly admire bloggers who can take outfit photos, DIY a house, bake a dozen cookies and do mission work in Africa; but is it a prerequisite for a successful blog? No.
4. The most successful blogs are the ones that have their own personal voice – how are you developing your voice or how did you find yours?
In the last year I’ve realized that being true to myself and my instincts is the best thing I can do for my writing and my readers. When I overhauled Stylish Thought, in March, I made a promise to myself that I would only write things that I believed in and could speak honestly about. No sugar coating here. My voice is honest, irreverent and fun and when I write I imagine how I talk to my close friends; open and without airs.
Being a writer since I was 5 years old, I’ve had a lot of practice in honing my voice and understanding my strong suits. My advice to writers and bloggers looking to develop their voice is to practice. Write a lot. Read even more. Find writers whose prose you adore and take it from there. You will eventually stumble into your sweet spot.
5. Toot your own horn… what’s one thing you do that is unique to you and your blog? What gives your blog an edge?
Hmmm…. my huge…. heart?
This will probably be the easy way out, but the thing that is unique to my blog is me. I approach everything I write from my experiences and the experiences of those around me.
Your blog rocks!
I can totally relate to your thoughts and past feelings regarding the “quality” of other blogs! At one point I stopped writing all together because I just didn’t think I could compete! Then it dawned on me… This is not a competition!! Blogging is a way for me to express my thoughts to *my public* (lol) and “be myself”! Since that moment my mentality regarding other blogs has been that of genuine support! No more envy or jealousy, or *BIS* (*blogging inferiority syndrome* haha), bc as you so eloquently put it…”There is room for every blog”
*cheers to “Friend Friday”
~Reese
Thanks Reese! You are so right about blogging not being a competition! Once we stop trying to be better than the next blogger we can truly focus on being the best we can be. It sounds cheesy but it really is true. I’m “borrowing” your BIS (blogger inferiority syndrome) phrase!
LOVE your answer to #3..just saw your link at FF…great post!!
I love the last answer its soo true. Its the personality of the author that makes a blog unique
great answers! I really enjoyed reading what you had to say this week. It does seem that you have to be extra skinny and white/asian to succeed in fashion blogging, daunting arena to get into! You have a good writing style though, so you’ll continue to be JUST fine
I think the way you look to other blogs is a great tool. Use them as totems if you want to strive to their success. Don’t let them dictate what you do, but strive to improve what you do.
The Auspicious Life