There’s an old Chinese proverb which states ‘The journey of a thousand mile starts with a single step’. Isn’t it beautiful? These words have always rung true throughout the many journeys I’ve been on, some of them great and others not so much. But after stumbling across this little proverb over the weekend again it’s made me reflect back on a few journeys I’ve been through, am still going through & those yet to come. One of the most inspiring journey’s I’ve been on is blogging. Not only has it helped me manage my anxiety immensely, but the fun I’ve had and the friendships forged have been totally unforgettable. So with that in mind today’s post is simply a light hearted reflection on a few of the things I’ve learned since taking my first ‘virtual’ footstep with Confetti & Curves almost 3 years ago…
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Hoarding becomes normality…
No, really it will. Say goodbye to your trusty little zip-up makeup bag and hello to a room dominated by skyscrapers of muji drawer sets and decorative Ikea plant pots crammed with makeup brushes. Of course that’s ONLY the cosmetics… your bathroom shelves, bedside cabinets, kitchen table and handbag will become a breeding ground for skincare, moisturisers, lip balms…
There’s no such thing as free time…
If you’re a busy little blogging bee who hits the ‘publish’ button multiple times per week then the likely hood is that your free time is spent scrawling down post ideas, making mental notes of points to mention, scouring beauty magazines, responding to PR companies, replying to comments, attempting to keep up with social media, recharging your camera batteries, cursing the lack of natural daylight, typing into the early hours of the morning – oh, and juggling your job/life/kids/family commitments into the mix too 😉
“But it’s for the Blog”…
Payday should be everyday when you’re a beauty blogger with a wish list as long as a fresh loo roll, but it aint, so funds needs to be juggled with care and the mightiest of resistance to splurge. However there’s always that delicious moment when birthday & Christmas rolls round and you’re handed cards filled with gift vouchers for your favourite beauty havens *happy sigh* In the mean time you’ll keep convincing yourself that every item you pop in your basket is all in the name of beauty blogging. What a selfless trooper you are! 😀
Nothing gets used until your camera says so…
And I mean absolutely nothing. The thought of applying a fresh tube of lippie before it’s been photographed almost makes the eyeballs in your head roll back in horror. And heaven forbid an eye shadow pan gets disturbed or a new makeup tool gets used BEFORE it’s had a photo shoot.
There’s no such thing as “Just popping in”…
Are you serious? When was the last time you actually ‘just popped in’ to any makeup store? When you’re a beauty blogger avoiding the makeup aisles is virtually impossible. We have miniature magnets entwined into our DNA that simply doesn’t permit us to casually dander past a wall of beauty goodies but instead be drawn helplessly towards them. We’re goin’ in and we ain’t coming back out until our forearms resemble a patchwork quilt of many many many colours.
EVERTHING gets critiqued…
Even things your friends and family treat themselves too , you’ll more than likely find yourself saying “Ooh, very nice, but you really should try…” Oh yes, you become obsessed, not only with your own stash but also with the stash of others too. Not to mention the almighty moment of “YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS… No, really you HAVE to, I insist, in fact let’s go RIGHT NOW and buy it for you. Yes NOW!” You become delirious when you find a mascara that does what it promises or a drugstore lipstick that puts your favourite Mac to shame.
The guilt, oh the guilt…
Oddly enough I had this very conversation with a blog buddy quite recently, when we were discussing the waves of quilt from the very thought of not posting. It’s remarkably amazing just how much effort goes into maintaining a blog, including sticking to a routine. Sadly many of us often get swamped into feeling pressured to fulfilling that day in day out. Remember, we’re only human, we need our blog breaks, holidays and time away to recharge our batteries. Blogging should be fun, breaking the guilt is tough but it has to be done to realise that there’s a life to live away from the laptop too.
You’ll have an all year round need for fairy lights…
Your new slogan will be ‘fairylights aren’t just for Christmas..’ as you’ll soon discover that there’s an all round yearly requirement for obtaining that perfect background bokeh effect to woo the eyeballs of your readers with. Yes, your room will partially resemble Santa’s grotto 356 days of the year… 366 if it’s a leap year. Just saying.
Lighting becomes your enemy …
Summer time is a blessing but winter is just a plain old pain in the virtual arse cheeks. With gloomy grey skies and sunlight disappearing faster than your patience cares to admit, you’ll possibly find yourself timing your photo shoots to day-light perfection as you huddle eagerly beside your biggest window… until you spend your entire savings on ring lamps powerful enough to flood light Wembley Stadium.
You’ll become besties with people you’ve never met…
This is by far the best bit, the community spirit. When I started beauty blogging my misconceptions were that it would be a ferociously bitchy place full of ‘Makeup Experts’ just waiting to correct your every damn opinion. How wrong I was. In fact, it’s the total opposite. I’ve met people that will remain friends for the rest of my life, people who have built my confidence, encouraged me, supported me and even spent the time selflessly promoting my little corner of the interweb. These are the people who lift you up on the crappiest of days, they’re the ones that make you feel a very special part of one big cheery internet family. Thank you ❤
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What have you learned from beauty blogging? Do you relate with anything mentioned? What’s been your favourite or most challenging thing about blogging? Whatever your thoughts I’d love to read them in the comments below so do stop by and say a quick howdy!
Wishing y’all a fab day ahead 🙂
Cheerio Chums…
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Catch me on:
I love this post 💕
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Thank you so much Meryl 🙂 XX
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Fantastic post Karen, so well written and so so true. I love reading your blog and this post really made me smile xxx
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Awwh thank you Em’s – really glad you enjoyed reading it and that it made you smile 😀 XXXXX
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You’re welcome Karen. I love your writing xx
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This makes me smile soooo much Ems, and after a few days of the summer lurgies it’s just so lovely to read 🙂 ❤ XXXXXXXX
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I’m feeling your pain about photography and poor natural lighting for around 50% of the year! Damn! I love talking product photos but I love blog posts where I don’t have to! x
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Yes!!!!! It’s a nightmare though I’ve got my ring lamp now which partially blinds me every time I switch it on – from one extreme to the other lol XXX
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I love this post – I’m thinking about doing more beauty posts… It’s gave me more of an insight for sure! ahah x
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Hey Kayley, thanks so much for stopping by huni 🙂 Delighted to hear it has you revved up for more beauty related posts hehe Thanks for the kind comment & glad you enjoyed it ❤ XXXX
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It’s okay sweet, I look forward to future posts! xxx
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🙂 XXXX
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This is so true!! Especially the whole ‘it’s for the blog’ spending justification and that you can’t use anything you’ve purchased until you’ve taken 72 pictures of it in different angles because the lighting isn’t quite right! Loved reading this!! X
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Ahhhh, so glad I’m no alone on his then lol The spending justification is ridiculous but even more frustrating when you forget to photograph the damn things when they’re sparkly new lol Glad you enjoyed it huni 😀 XXXXX
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I’m not a hoarder…I’m a ‘collector’! 😂😂😂 I have been really happy to make some really lovely friends through blogging too, present company very much included. 😊💜
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Hehehe 😀 Collector it is then 😉 lol Awwwh very much likewise lovely lady, that’s such a treat to read *hugs* XXXXX
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Karen this made me laugh so much, because I can identify with everything you’ve said! I think most of us bloggers will. My particular favourite is how we can use anything until we’ve photographed it 🙂 :-), story of my life. Except when I forget something hasn’t been photographed, then use it, then literally want to die!!! Such a great read hun. xx
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Glad it gave you a giggle or two Sorcha hehe Grrrrr that’s a nightmare… forgetting to photograph something! Just breaks you *sob* lol Thanks so much indeed for the kind comments huni 😀 xxxx
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post Karen! I agree with you about not being able to use products until they’ve been photographed and fairy lights although I don’t own any myself but they make blog photos look so pretty! I like to think I can restrain myself and stop myself from buying makeup, I’m starting to feel like I have a decent chunk now 🙂 xx
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Delighted you enjoyed it so much lovely!! That’s so good you’ve yourself trained to restrain… lol I on the other hand have a slight weakness though I must say it’s getting better & I’m determined to use the multitude of things I have before claiming any more. How long do you think that idea will last?! lol xxxx
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A treat now and again is nothing to be ashamed of and if things are on sale, that doesn’t count lol! How long will I last hehe? Xx
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Yes!!!! My thoughts exactly Chanelle 😉 PLUS it’s a shame seeing things go to waste at such good prices hehe I reckon as about as long as me… which aint that much huni lol lol XXXXX
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Definitely, I’d hate to miss out on a bargain! 😂
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Great noted down points and especiallly the one you’ve stated that you could get your besties that you’ve never met. Very true
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Well it’s just how I feel 🙂 I’ve met so many lovely people through blogging huni (yourself included) that I really do consider you all friends, it’s such a warm community to be a part of! XXXX
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Well said Karen, Yes, it brought me so much confidence after I’ve started my blog and so, personally it is very helpful and of course, making lovely friends like you too
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Very much likewise huni 🙂 Great to hear how blogging has brought so much positivity to our lives ❤ xxxx
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Very true
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I can relate so many of these to craft blogging!
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Haaaa I bet you can huni 😀 XXXX
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Love this post, so utterly relatable! That familiar ache staring at products that you really want to try but they have to be photographed first 😦 I prefer collection over hoard, just to make myself feel better about buying more ikea storage and reorganising the entire stash…
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YES!!!! Particularly if you know you’ve still to get ready but really want to try it out lol I think I shall revert to being a collector too…. absolutely justifiable then 😉 hehehe Glad you enjoyed it lovely lady XXXXX
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My word, you’ve hit the nail on the head!! We just moved and as I was unpacking my boxes, yes boxes, of makeup, I was thinking, geez, this seems a bit much, but, well… really, it’s for the blog 😉
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lol lol Good timing then Sharon… it must have been written for you then 😉 I feel your pain as I would dread moving with my lot too!! *sigh* However on a plus note congratulations on the move and wishing you the very best in your new abode 🙂 The worst of the move is over… now to just take your time to arrange your lippies! hehe XXXX
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I RELATE TO ALL OF THESE ON A SPIRITUAL LEVEL. THIS POST EXPLAINS MY ENTIRE LIFE. SO MUCH THAT THIS COMMENT HAD TO BE IN CAPS XD ! No, but really, these are all so true.
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lol lol Oh Hatsy you do make me giggle huni… sometimes caps are simply ESSENTIAL!!!! hehe Glad you relate to them chum 😀 XXXX
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Karen you just made me laugh so much !😂 All of it is so TRUE … Beautiful post my friend xxx
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Awwwh thank you lovely lady 😀 I’m so glad it made you giggle & that you enjoyed it!!! hehe *huge hugs* XXXXXX
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xxxx
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“heaven forbid an eye shadow pan gets disturbed or a new makeup tool gets used BEFORE it’s had a photo shoot” just love this line as this happens with me all the time 😀
Loved your blog, and as a newbie beauty blogger only thing I can say is every experience you have good or bad during your blogging phase turns out to be a learning in later phase.
love xoxo
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What a lovely comment to read 🙂 Thank you so very much for stopping by huni, and my apologies for such a delayed reply as I’ve been sick over the last few days so sloooowly making a recovery onto the laptop!!
Absolutely true – every experience in blogging is all part of the learning curve and a real character builder ❤ Wishing you all the very best in your blogging journey, it's so lovely to meet you! ❤ XXXXX
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Couldn’t agree more 😂👍❤
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Pingback: Keeping Up With Karen… | Confetti and Curves
Oh dear, I must say that I’ve fallen prey to the, It’s for the blog, bit more often than I’d like to admit. 😏 I also do feel that guilt when I don’t post or take a blogging break but it gets a tad overwhelming sometimes trying to keep up with social media, brainstorming posts, etc that you just need some time for yourself. Great and relatable post Karen.
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You know what though huni, at least we know it’s a widespread blogger ailment – we’re not alone in our failings lol Glad you like the post sweetie, and could relate to it also ❤ Wishing you a super week ahead Stephie!! XXXXX
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Haha, so true! I hope you have a great week too! Feel better! 🙂 xo
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Thank you lovely 🙂 XXXX
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Just came across your blog and want to say how lovely (and useful) it is! I’ve only been blogging for a little over a year and it’s slow growing but finally happening, and it’s articles like yours that help me on my way. I also really identify with this list already 🙂 it’s amazing how your perception of things changes when you start blogging!
Liv
staticgypsy.com
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Awwh what a truly lovely comment to read Liv, thank you so much huni, that is such a huge compliment!!!! I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying your blogging journey too – it takes a while to get going and find your audience but once you start networking in such a supportive community it really does boost the confidence levels! Can’t wait to check out your blog too huni and thank you SO much for stopping by, it’s a treat to meet you 🙂 XXXX
Ps: so chuffed you enjoyed the post!!
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Love this post so much and can relate to all, lol (oh too well) 💕💕💕
I am guilt of all these things and the not posting guilt (lays heavy on me, a lot).
Great post sweetie 🙂
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Hey, we all lay the guilt on huni but the major thing about blogging is that true blog chums will always be there when you come back ❤ Life has a wonderful ability to get in the way but we just gotta accept we can only do our best within our means, so no guilt tripping! You're a busy lady but I love having you on Twitter, Insta & FB so I can keep up with you as much as possible 🙂 XXXX
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That is so true ❤
I do try to do my best, my hardest and still stay out of the hospital, lol. The guilt part is still hard, but you are right… True blog friends will be there and will understand 😀
LOL, yeah the social media is a bit easier, as t is on the phone with me always ❤
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