Not Sponsored: A Very Sweet Blog turned NINE January 1st, 2021 (past blogiversary's). I would like to share my thoughts with you today regarding my present feelings, past experiences and A Very Sweet Blog's future.
1. To Keep or Not To Keep, That Was The Question - When A Very Sweet Blog turned SEVEN, I think I had a 7 year itch of whether or not to keep this blog. When I first started blogging, I LOVED BLOGGING! I felt the blogging world was a beautiful place. It was fun! It was educational! It was a place to share information. Blogging was a plethora of gifted and talented people. I subscribed and learned so much from other bloggers. They in turn embraced me. We wrote each other. Communicated. It was really good. When Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and YouTube became popular, it became stressful, competitive and jealousy reared its ugly head. I had several bloggers to write and ask HOW did I get free products from big brands such Sulwhasoo, L'Oreal, Aveeno, Pixi etc. with such a small follower-ship. I replied, I didn't do anything ... they contacted me. But they (not all - some were sincere) made me feel, like I didn't deserve to receive those products because I had a small blog. Blogging started becoming more about numbers. At one point, I started getting frustrated and stressed out. I didn't like that feeling. I noticed others feeling the same way. It became an unhealthy climate. Another factor ... I started reading people's personal opinions and beliefs on Twitter. I started seeing other sides to people I thought I knew (hatred towards Americans, racism etc). I loved their blog, but I started not liking the person behind the blog. I started deleting people. I became so despondent that I ended up deleting everyone (even people that never did me anything). I didn't want to follow anyone. I even stopped reading blogs for two years. Something that I use to enjoy. When you unfollow people, many times people get mad. Some have written me, asking why I unfollowed them. When someone unfollows you, there is a reason (good or bad). People unfollow me. They may close a social media account. They may not read blogs anymore. They may not be in alignment with your opinions, beliefs etc. They may not like your political affiliation. Sometimes a person may have a different interest than they did 7-9 years ago (hopefully so). It happens. I'm 48 years old now. I'm at a different place (and mindset) than I was 9 years ago. I have different interests. Same for others. Many bloggers that I unfollowed on social media (and also personally), I still love their blog and visit their blog today. But some of their personal beliefs, I can't deal with or listen to on a daily basis. I'm telling you all of this, because I want you to understand why I was despondent for about two years. When you lose a follower, it HURTS. But know, there is a reason ... accept it ... move on with the comfort of knowing there are others that love what you say and do. Someone that doesn't want to be there, wish them well and let them go. I've decided to KEEP A Very Sweet Blog. It's a place where I can share my opinion on products. It's a place to learn about an assortment of topics. I asked myself is there potential GROWTH with A Very Sweet Blog. There is. I discussed all of this with a couple of my long-term blog friends. They encouraged me to keep it. I'm re-envisioning it, will make some more changes and move forward :)
2. Vision - My current vision for A Very Sweet Blog is what I ORIGINALLY saw for it nine years ago. A place to share my opinion on products. I always see people online, saying "she BUYS BUYS BUYS"! Well guess what? I've always bought, bought, bought (except last year, because I chose to help others that were greatly in need instead). I LIKE TRYING THINGS! Sometimes when I tried something, I thought it was GREAT! Other times, I thought it was BAD! I use to say, OH HOW I WISH I COULD TELL OTHERS DON'T BUY THIS STUFF, DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY OR I WISH I COULD TELL EVERYBODY THIS STUFF IS REALLY GOOD AND THAT THEY SHOULD BUY THIS! Blogging gave me that platform! I would read blogs and after reading someone's review it would either encourage me to buy that product or not buy that product. I'm only trying to be helpful. Give my opinion. Share my experience. I'm not a shallow person. If I can save you money, I feel that's helpful. I've had many people to say Kim, your review helped me make a decision on a product. That's a good feeling. That's what I'm about.
3. Sponsored Content - Various businesses that create online content have connected with me. They have written and supplied content for my blog (paid advertisements). I find these articles very informative and educational. I've learned so much from them myself and I hope my readers are doing the same. They encompass topics such as working from home, starting your own business, healthy lifestyle and living, home improvement, medical topics and personal finance. These topics will help you as a whole. I desired a blog that provided fresh content on a daily basis. This can happen now through my writings and others that contribute content. It also provides an income source for me. I pay taxes on this supplied content every year.
4. Another Blog!?! - Yes, I thought about it and plan on starting another blog. It will work in conjunction with A Very Sweet Blog. Its still in its developmental stages. Its going to be a personal blog, almost like a daily diary. It will be a place where I can share my personal thoughts, daily activities etc. Products will be showcased on the new blog, but a full review of that product will be on A Very Sweet Blog. I'm excited about the idea of a new blog. I want to take this year to pull it all together. So fingers crossed for 2022.
5. Just Do It! - I'm not going to list goals this year. I'm just going to do things. Actions are better than words. A Very Sweet Blog has been a little neglected and needs some attention. I need to update some things and pull it together. I will be personally writing more content. Reviews of products will begin again. And so much more! I want to thank everyone that is still here supporting me. Your support really means a lot to me. MAY GOD BLESS AND PROTECT YOU!
