Blogging is indeed an interesting hobby, it so can be so varied, be motivated by many different things, and the outcome can range from just a unknown hobbyist site to something that can feed an entire family.
I started blogging way back at the end of 1998, it was called Liquification. I was still in high school back then and would blog about my every day life. At the time I also ran an anime domain called SuzakuNU, which had shrines to various anime characters I loved! (still around if you’re curious :D), so most of my readers back then were anime fans who took an interest in my personal life.
My personal blog took many forms, blogger.com, live journal and finally word press. But it was always an outlet for me to celebrate / whinge about what happened to me on a day to day basis. I think however as you get older, you learn to filter what your share with the world. That’s pretty natural, you become aware as to the sensitivity of the people in your life and how they are portrayed on your blog (not surprisingly very one sided), and you grow aware of how your audience can judge you.
That is why I decided to push forward a more topic specific blog, like Fables. If you don’t know -me-, you can’t judge me.
And with that comes it’s own set of issues, among those who blog in your field, those who don’t blog in your field and those who don’t blog at all. Everyone has their own opinion on how you should run your blog.
And that’s completely human. Back when I wrote personal posts, my high school friends would want me to change my blog posts so they would appear more favourably to my audience, the same types of opinions carry through no matter what you blog about.
I’ve always been the sort of person who wants to make everyone happy. I’m a people pleaser. When my friends, family or random readers criticise me, or tell me what I should and shouldn’t do. I take it to heart, I try to change to make them happy. But often the advice one person gives directly contradicts advice from someone else.
Then I realise, I’m not happy. The thing is you can’t please everyone, and till the day you die, people are always going to love / be in different / hate what you do. It’s called being human.
Blogging is a life choice. I choose to spend close to 40hrs a week working on my videos and blog, in turn I’m lucky enough to have people such as you who come to read and watch what I do, I get to know each of you better and eventually we become friends 🙂 As my audience grows, PR companies take notice and invite me to events or provide me with products to potentially feature on the blog. And if you’re extra lucky, you even get a chance to appear in print media!
These are all life experiences that enrich and add to the sort of person I am and will be one day. I’m only afforded these experiences because of this blog and you guys, there is no other reason.
I’m nothing special, I’m not better nor worse than anyone, I’m just another human who decided to spend her time away from her day job creating a blog. I want to make sure I provide content you guys want and are happy to read because you are genuinely interested.
But how do I separate advice / criticism from someone who is honestly interested in me and my blog, from those who don’t understand the whole concept of blogging to those who are actually jealous of the opportunities I get? I can’t 🙁
So I have to make my own decisions, adjust my own perceptions and hope with my heart that I am making the right choices.
Fables in Fashion is a journal of my adventures as a topic specific blogger, and when I’m well into my 60-70s, it’s going to be a great journey to reflect upon. A wonderful life experience 🙂
Sorry to getting so contemplative, not everyone will want to read, nor care what I have to say here. But I hope each of my readers know how precious they are to me.
I love personal blogs. I wrote mine for years…and I wrote whatever and whenever I wanted…UNTIL I got hate mail….and THREATS….and it put me off…I got scared and uber-sensitive…and then it’s kinda stopped…but I’m trying to get back into it…
However, I discovered beauty blogging and it’s taken over my life and I LOVE IT! Unfortunately, I’ve learnt that people can still judge you as a beauty blogger…people think I am shallow and vain! Ah well, it’s somewhat true anyways 😛
Love your blog and I remember devouring every page when I first read it. Keep doing what you’re doing Celina! 😀
Isn’t that the saddest thing Ling? To be judged, abused and even threatened because of the self-centered rubbish we go on about on our OWN blogs in our OWN time? It’s absolutely disgusting if you ask me, but it happens 🙁 It’s exactly why my personal blog for the most part remains locked away in Live Journal, where you can filter and control who reads what.
And like you, beauty blogging brings it’s own set of judgements. I guess no matter what you do in life, there will always be someone with a strong opinion. Thank you btw, you keep doing what you’re doing too! I can’t wait to see you soon at MBBE 🙂
<3
Mau <3
Hee. I didn’t realize we were so similar! I found myself nodding my head in agreement to everything you said; it really resonated with me. Like you, I have a few domains that are interest-specific. It’s a little odd to me sometimes – like i’m compartmentalizing parts of my personality, but at the same time not everyone wants to read about everything.
Well I -do- have an interest in this post and i’m glad you wrote it. We love you too!
Wow 🙂 I’m so glad you could relate to me! 😀 I never thought of it as compartmentalising my personality, but now that you highlight it I can totally see what you mean! 😀 Aww <3 You're amazing 🙂
This was lovely to read! Brought back memories of my first blog written as an escape from my troubled early 20’s, then my next blogging attempt which led to abuse and threats from people I thought were friends to my metamorphosis into confident, happy blogger who doesn’t let anyone get me down anymore. I think some bloggers start worrying more about giving the readers what they want rather than following their own heart and instincts. Never forget why you started blogging in the first place and always be true to yourself.
Oh wow, it’s so great to know other people feel the same way and were blogging way back when! 🙂 Thanks for reading~
i started blogging in that era too! it started off as personal blogs, but knowing how people in real life would judge / criticize me, i always keep them away and still managed too. personal blog is a great way to know people and you get more ‘involved’ with the blog. though i didn’t get hate mails nor threats like ling did, i decided to shelve those memories away because internet is not what it was like and blogs aren’t how they were like too. i still miss the good old days.
Oh wow, I had no idea so many beauty bloggers originally started out writing personal blogs too 🙂 We’re all in the same boat. I miss the good old days too 🙁
I really enjoyed reading this! Kind of made me think of my own “blogging”/internet journey. I started out as a reviewer in an anime site, switched to doing a more personal webcomic, got tired of drawing whatever my friends wanted me to draw, moved to a private diary and now swtiched back to a more public blog (less about me/family/friends , more about crafts, technolgy and things I enjoy writing/talking about)
One thing I struggle with is how infrequently I post, but mostly b/c I feel I’ll never post frequently enough to create a stable readership.
But this post really put my mind at ease. I can make my blog what I want it to be 🙂
Whatever that might be.
I really enjoy reading this blog and looking at all the pretty pics. 🙂 Also, I really admire folks like you that dedicate themselves to making their blog exactly what they want it to be.
Thank you, I’m really touched that quite a few people enjoyed this entry, I was worried it may come across too whingy 🙂
You should def let your blog be exactly how you want it to be, whether you up date it everyday or every month, it’s totally up to you 🙂 So long as you enjoy what you do <3 🙂
What drew me (and keeps me coming back) to your blog is the quality of your photos! I find it alarming that there are so many beauty blogs out there with no product swatches at all, photos that are taken in bad lighting, and photos that are out of focus. Keep up the good work! 🙂
Aww, thank you so much for the lovely compliment Jeanne 🙂 I work hard to produce the best photos I can and am working hard to make them better! I’m really glad it shows 🙂 Thank you <3
Have to agree with Jeanne’s comment – the effort that you put into your photos, your reviews and your tutorials is seriously amazing, and so useful and valuable. I love that your blog is visually clear, and your approach to reviews is consistent and always so thorough. I’m not a blogger, (but if I wasn’t so private/scared of the big bad internet I’d give it a go) but I’m sure it’s not easy. Remember you’re doing a fantastic job!
Seriously, your comment just makes me smile from ear to ear 🙂 I’m really honoured that you guys notice this and even take the time to compliment me on it! I’m really flattered, thank you so much!!
Good post, Celina. Your post completely resonated with my approach to blogging as well. It is an outlet for us, and most certainly an avenue at which we must maintain our integrity and beliefs at. If we’re true to ourselves, then blogging will always be a happy venture. 🙂
I was happy I discovered your blog through last year’s MBBE as I really love your writing style, awesome pics and of course, your gorgeous makeovers! 🙂
Aww thanks lovely 🙂 I can’t wait to see you on Saturday, it’s been quite a while! I too am so grateful for MBBE, it’s given me a network of friends and exposure to so much more in my blogging life 🙂 Truly amazing 🙂