Life as a blogger is not easy. There are plenty of other people who say this. But, time and time again, people overshadow what we think and presume to think that this life is easy, but it most definitely is not. I love what I do, but as a college blogger, my life is not the easiest. I balance 2 Youtube videos with a range of 3 to 4 posts a week, 2 research essays, classes some days from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, activities, and so much more. I’m not complaining, but let me just say, it is tough sometimes.
I can’t stay up until 2AM every night or squeeze in shoots sometimes, but I do what I can, and sometimes that results in what I’m doing now, where I don’t have fashion content that often. I’m being brutally honest right now and I don’t create content like this because I don’t know how it will be received. I hope well, but right now, I just need to talk and tell you all about my blogging experience and why I do this. So ever wonder why I blog? I could say that it’s solely because I love it and blogging is my passion, but that’s too simple and doesn’t do it justice.
One of the main reasons why I blog is because I have seen how beneficial it has been in my life. Blogging has brought me out of a shell and taught me how to interact with people close and far, and drastically taught me how to network. Networking is a major aspect of blogging and although I haven’t done that in the past, I have started to do more so now. I love doing this because it helps me clear my mind.
When I’ve had a bad exam, sometimes all I do is just sit for a while and blog, because it will take me from a low to a high in such a short amount of time. I turn on my favorites on Spotify and I’m set. Blogging has opened my eyes to so many things and especially as I finished out high school, I realized what I truly wanted in life.
This blog has become my life and my love. At this day and time, I can’t think of what my life would be like if I didn’t do this. In those times where I go on a hiatus, I feel a strange emptiness inside from not being able to blog. I have lots of other things that make me happy, but nothing to the point of this. I have a had a lot of people ask me what I do, or why. Mostly, they are just interested in what I have to say and why, but sometimes they’re condescending. When people try to belittle my blog, which I call a career and passion, I get defensive!! Understandably so, right? I love blogging because I can do what I want and it’s not just my “little blog hobby.”
It’s an actual job that requires me to be up until 2AM on some days taking photographs, setting up flatlays, or writing everything I need for my post. It’s not a little hobby at this point. It is a career. It may not pay as well as the medical degree my colleagues will have in 8 years. Thus, it may by the time they finish school. By the time I finish, I’m going to have something to look back on that I loved doing and helped me document my time in school and transition as a human being, which is something a lot of people don’t have.
I started this journey out with a little Blogger site named The Style Selections. Now THAT, was a hobby. The Hat Logic? Now that is the reason why I blog and this site is most definitely not a hobby. It’s more than a hobby. So I’m finally making it a priority to let people know that it’s not just that.
Alright, so there’s two parts to this post. I’ve explained the why I blog section pretty well at this point! So now you get to hear about how I’m going to stop caring about other’s opinions. Okay, that sounds harsh. I actually do care about what others think. What I mean to say is that I’m going to stop talking myself out of posting things like this, in-depth videos about myself or my life, and so much more. I have spent so much time in the last 3 years worrying about how people will receive something I write. In all honesty, I do this because I love it, not to become the next viral star. Having that kind of social following would be amazing. Yet, at the end of the day, I know it takes hard work.
I’m going to stop caring about judging stares I get when I vlog in public while traveling. I’m going to stop caring about people staring as I pose in the street taking shots for outfit posts. And above all, I’m going to stop caring about how negative people can be. There will always be negatives in the world. I can’t scare myself away from everything I want to post just because I may get a few negative comments. For everyone who hates a post of mine, there’s someone out there who likes it. I hope. It’s time that I become more confident in myself and really embrace the blogger lifestyle. No matter what that brings, I’m still going to be around here doing my thing.
I really do hope that you enjoyed this post. I like the new honesty that I’m sharing, and let me know what you thought in the comments below!
maryam
I love how honest you are in this post and I can totally relate ! I started blogging as a hobby but when I started taking it really seriously I felt like I had to follow all these rules and shit. And it started to feel like a chore ! I was stopping myself from writing opinions and personal post because “famous” fashion bloggers were not doing that. But honestly at the end of the day there isn’t just one way to success other than determination and hard work ! You’re doing an amazing job by the way.
Jordan Chapman
maryamThanks Maryam!! I really love what I do and it came to me that I needed to be almost brutally honest while writing this. It always starts as a hobby, but now I’m breaking out of my box and doing what I love, it’s so liberating!!! That’s exactly what I was thinking about famous bloggers, since they all basically do the same thing! I loved your posts!! They’re all amazing and are inspirational!! xx
Anastasia
I like this post!
People, who have never had a blog – never knows how much times and energy it takes
Jordan Chapman
AnastasiaI’m glad you like it!! Totally agree with that!! People NEVER know and then judge bloggers, when in actuality it’s such a hard thing to keep up with!!
Tiffany
I think you are totally amazing! You have grown so much since you’ve started doing this and I truly believe you will get to wherever you set your goals. Keep on doing great things!
Jordan Chapman
TiffanyAww, don’t make me shed a few tears now!! I definitely will and thanks for the support and love!!! <3
Tarah Saint-Elien
Truth! Being a blogger and a full-time student is REAL. Loving all the honesty here. Go girl!
http://adornedinarmor.com
Jordan Chapman
Tarah Saint-ElienBlogger x students have it tough, but we always get the job done!!! Glad you enjoyed it Tarah!! xx
Lisa Jey Davis Schanley
Great post girl. It’s an amazing journey, isn’t it?
Jordan Chapman
Lisa Jey Davis SchanleyThanks Lisa!! It really is and I’m going to keep going on it!!
Jasmine Saunders
Your flat lay game is on fleet , love the photography 🙂
Jordan Chapman
Jasmine SaundersThanks Jasmine!!! I love a good flatlay and glad you liked the photos!! 🙂 xx
Momzcuisine
Just a simple Congratulations and wishing you much success!!
Jordan Chapman
MomzcuisineThank you!! I really do appreciate that!!! <3 xxx
Beth
What a lovely post! I really enjoyed this, and could relate to so much of what you said – people really don’t realise just how much time blogging takes up, and how much you have to enjoy it to persevere with it. Although I currently mainly blog as a hobby, I’m hoping to take it further as you have done and into a career, so it was great to hear about your journey. Keep up the good work lovely! Xx
Jordan Chapman
BethI’m glad you found it relatable and that was definitely what I was going for!! Blogging is such a task, but for people like me, it’s a career!! I wish you all the best as you try to take it further, can’t wait to see what you come up with for content, sure it will be great!!! xx
Sonia
I totally get where you’re coming from!! I blog while having a full time job and I spend all of my weekends doing blog and YouTube stuff while my colleagues or friends spend time visiting friends or going to bars and stuff. And sometimes I do too but it does take serious scheduling skills and I have turned down some of these things just so I could have time to take care of my blog lol
But it pays off and I’m sure it will pay off more and more with the years to come! If other people around you don’t understand what it’s like, because it is a REAL commitment; then, we do!! 🙂
Loved how honest this post was, I’m glad the Fashion bloggers group on Facebook brought me here! I was having a crappy morning but your post cheered me up hehe 🙂
xx
Sonia
Jordan Chapman
SoniaHi Sonia!! You are a true trooper!! Getting this done with class is bad enough, but a full time job, can’t even imagine!!! Blogging + Youtube is so hard, but I love your videos, they’re all really great!! It will all pay off in the end and you’re creating amazing content so missing a few things here and there is all good, especially for the sake of the blog!! It definitely does pay off, even in teensy tiny little ways, but I’m glad you see how much of a commitment it is!! 🙂 Bloggers have to stick together in this world, it’s tough!!! I’m really glad you enjoyed the post and that it cheered you up!! Glad it did some good from across the Internet sphere 🙂 xxx
Sonia
Jordan ChapmanHaha it definitely did!! 😀
I’m looking forward to reading your next posts now and checking out your YouTube videos as well!! 😀
xx
Elkee
Thank you for this post Jordan. I also feel an emptiness when I stop blogging. It has been almost a year since my last post but I have been working on new content recently and I feel reborn. Your words as far as what people think of you when you blog is something we can all relate. Honesty and self reflection takes so much courage, thank you for inspiring me.
Jordan Chapman
ElkeeI’m glad you’re getting back into it!!! It’s such a great feeling coming back to something you love and I bet you’ll come back with more fresh content!! I can’t wait to see what you come up with and I’m glad you like the post so much!! 🙂 x
Jackie
This was such a great post! I’ve been blogging for almost 3 years now, and can’t imagine life without it. It’s become such a big part of my identity and while it’s not my full-time job, I still consider it a job and not a hobby, so I devote a lot of time to it. In fact, my blog is one of the reasons I got hired at my current job…so you never know what opportunities can come up because of it.
Thanks for sharing about your own journey and thoughts!
Jackie
Something About That
Jordan Chapman
JackieHi Jackie!! So glad that you enjoyed the post and I feel the same way!! It may not be full time (yet), but still a job!! I can definitely tell how much effort you put into yours, it’s lovely!! I’m excited to hear your story and hopefully mine will be as eventful!! 🙂 xxx
Chuky Reyna
Love your post! I can totally understand what you mean. I strated blogging three months ago and there’s a lot to learn! But definitely what is more important is that we do love doing it and that’s what people want to find on a blog! Keep up with your good work!
Jordan Chapman
Chuky ReynaI’m glad you liked it!!! Blogging has such a learning curve, but that’s what I love about it! I will definitely keep it up and can’t wait to see what you do with your blog as well!! Best of luck!! x