Read all about the daily struggle as a blogger and influencer to remain confident, proud, and inspired to continue blogging every day.
Originally published 10/2/2018. Updated 7/29/2020.
Ever since I took the step to focus on blogging seriously as a career, I realized how absolutely insecure I am when it comes to this business. No matter how hard I try, I hear a little voice in my head that tells me I’m not as good as other bloggers. I should be more successful, have more followers, be more well known, land bigger and better partnerships.
My struggle as a blogger is to be confident in my work and proud of my accomplishments.
One morning back in 2018 I fully realized how insecure I felt in my blogging career. I watched a few Instagram stories and without hesitation my insecurities rose to the surface. I saw someone working with a dream brand, someone else bragging about payments from campaigns, and another celebrating their growth in Instagram followers. Instead of celebrating the success of my peers I questioned my own success. How come I feel inadequate? Why do I compare myself to others?
Community over competition.
Empowered women empower women.
We rise by lifting others.
The biggest struggle as a blogger: INSECURITIES.
Many of my blogger insecurities stem from encounters with other bloggers. Unfortunately, I’ve had a brush with one too many women who, whether directly or indirectly, remind me I’m not as successful as them. A snub here, a snarky comment there, actions and words do hurt. Despite my success in the last year, I’ve felt down at the hand of someone else. Perhaps I need a thicker skin, but at the same time it is important to feel. Being aware of my emotions is what motivates me to work harder.
Check out this post about the time I took a break from social media.
Inhale confidence. Exhale doubt.
It’s tough to stand out in a crowd. Blogging has become an oversaturated market, overflowing with talented, hard working influencers. Sadly, there are also the bloggers who buy followers and likes. The inflation in numbers makes it difficult for those trying to grow organically. More often than not brands look at numbers and not detailed insights.
We must ask ourselves, is it all really a numbers game? Do brands value quantity over quality or vice versa? Who is the actual judge of your success as a blogger in the influencer world?
Tips to Boost Your Confidence as a Blogger
- Remind yourself daily of wins – not losses. It’s important to create goals that motivate you and visualize exactly what you want to achieve.
- Reach for the stars and ignore everyone else.
- Practice positive talk.
- You’re on your OWN journey to success – so keep your eyes forward and remember this is not a competition.
- Blog with love, clarity and focus. Blog for YOU.
- Have fun.
I remind myself of the positive in spite of the negative. There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel I sometimes find myself wandering. That light shines bright from the women that inspire me, uplift me, and give me that push on the days where I’m in a funk. I have blog friends I’ve never met in person, family and real life friends who remind me how much I love blogging.
We should all smile and celebrate the success of others instead questioning our own.
Surround yourself with confident women (and men!) in the same business. Collaborate. Share one another. Promote each other’s content. TALK about your insecurities and you’ll soon realize, you’re not alone. If you love what you do then never give up.
girl, you have GOT this. I know it’s hard to not compare, I do it everyday too. But you are doing great things and have such wonderful content that inspires women all over the world. Don’t discredit that or yourself. Keep doing what you’re doing love and you know I’m always here if you need me (or a pep talk!)
Who was mean to you? !! Let me know and I’ll straighten them out!!
Seriously, though, celebrate the wins. A small tribe of truly engaged followers is better than a million bots whose comments don’t even make sense.
I love your view of the world. Your sweet family, your home decor, and your realness about addressing aging and skin treatments , even though you are in no way near old!
I feel this. I really do. Your hard work shines through and I think you’ve built something you should be really proud of. I started my blog in 2012 and have had times where I had crazy pageviews and times where I’m lucky to hit a few hundred. It’s a rollercoaster. I also haven’t successfully grown my instagram like many have. Sometimes I think about the fact that I started my blog around the same time as so many women who are now wildly successful and I get down on myself. Blogging is hard because it’s such a numbers game and frankly, a lot of those numbers are public. At a traditional job your success is measured by so many other factors – including effort. It doesn’t always work that way with blogging. Of note, very few people in my personal life even know that I have a blog. I’m weirdly embarrassed by it and yet here I am, still doing it 6 years later.
Truthfully, I wish bloggers built each other up more but it does feel like the “big” bloggers are in an exclusive club that I’m just not in. I’m working on being okay with that. I’m thankful for women like you who are open about this kind of stuff, validating my feelings, and making the industry more honest and open. It’s what we need. You’re great at what you do and I’m sorry if anyone has ever made you feel that you aren’t.
It is so hard not to compare ourselves to others, especially with social media. It’s almost impossible not to! You have been one of my favorite blogs for years. <3
I think you’re amazing at what you do. I love your ideas and you have a great eye for putting things together. We have very similar taste in styles and decor, which makes me inspired by choices I have made. Like that saying, never let anyone dull your sparkle. The followers you have, you have earned. You have so much going for you, not to mention having a wonderful family who have your back. Bottom line is you are in it for the right reasons. Keep up the great work and know you’re not alone. I totally get how you’re feeling, maybe it’s a Virgo thing, people suck sometimes. Hang in there sweetie!!
GIRL YES, PREACH, AMEN, I AGREE, I AM WITH YOU!
Whew, was that too much?
Seriously, I feel like I could have written this. It’s become A LOT about competition not community and I would love to see that change.
I LOVE reading your blog, you’re creating great stuff and take that and run with it! <3
-Amy
http://www.alovedlifeblog.com
Such valid points – blogging is hard work and it’s so easy to get caught up in how well other bloggers are doing!! Just remember – we’re all at different stages of our journey – chances are they have been doing it longer than you and it is natural for them to be more established! Just keep doing you and focus on your great content! Charlie xo
https://thebarefootangel.com
This is so relateable! It is really difficult to maintain and grow a blog – especially now days when things are ALWAYS changing and people are busier than ever!
I started blogging for fun back in 2012 and then took an extended break just before we started having kids. I jumped back in more seriously about a year and a half ago and MAN how things have changed!
I often see bloggers that I followed back in the day who stuck with it and are really successful and finding myself wondering if I started too late. Is it even possible to grow your blog well these days? Or wondering if I had stuck with it back then, if that would have made a difference now.
BUT, I am learning that success looks different for every single one of us. We all have a unique voice and perspective and so I’ll keep right on sharing what I love.
You are rocking it. I’m so sorry that others have made you feel less than or not good enough; I’ll never understand that. Keep right on doing what you’re doing. Learning, growing, posting, and adjusting when you need to.
You’re rocking it over here!
I think we all have these types of days for sure in this community. I admire you for being so honest. I try to focus on what I can control and put out content I would want to see. Having a supportive group around you is the best way to stay focused!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
I am sorry you are feeling this way. I feel like any blogger who brags about numbers, “success” and the like, are not really that genuine. I have been in this business since 2010 and the good ones don’t talk about numbers etc. I love your blog and I enjoy your posts. You have an amazing business growing here, please keep it up! Hold your head high, flip your hair, and know that your following is genuine and real. The money and numbers will come. It doesn’t happen overnight, except for those who buy it-and they aren’t making money, they are spending it. Keep working hard, and keep doing you! YOU are fabulous!!
XOXO
Cathy
You have got this! You are amazing and never let anyone tell you different.
Love that quote you ended with because it really bring the whole internal thought process of insecurity full circle
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
Beautiful outfit from head to toes! I agree. We should never compare to others, ’cause each and one of us are special and have different things to share with the world. Good read!
XO
Candace
http://www.thebeautybeau.com
I love this post babe and I totally believe that there is room for all of us to succeed!! It is so hard to not compare , but we need to keep in mind that everyone has a different journey and are in different places in their lives. I think you’re doing a great job!!
Kileen
cute & little
such a great post! sometimes instagram is depressing and i have to force myself to step away and remind myself not to de-value myself b/c i don’t have certain things.
This is so beautiful and true! I could not love this more!
Girl I feel you, I struggle with this as well! I actually meet with a therapist once a month to talk about struggles and self doubt and anxiety. It’s helped a lot!
Ugh that’s why I really try hard to surround myself with people who believe in lifting each other up- can’t stand the competitiveness and that’s why I avoid so many events as well.
Comparison is hard. We all do it but absolutely should not. We are our own person and special in so many ways ourselves. You are beautiful gal and awesome for sharing this!
xo Laura Leigh
Louella Reese
The comparison game is such a struggle for me sometimes. I hate that other bloggers make you feel bad about your success because you are killing it! Girl bosses should strive to lift each other up in this industry and not make us second guess ourselves. You’re amazing so keep it up!
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your
site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so
people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of
text for only having 1 or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
Very good pointers for women to remember, whether they blog or not. try to avoid allowing other women to drag you down. Many times they are not your true friends, or even friends at all. Seems he more things change, the more they remain the same….women have difficulty celebrating the true success of each other, unless they are wonderful friends. Even family members can experience jealousy. Keep your chin up and eye on the goal was sage advice from a mentor I had. You are good, keep moving forward.
Great post for bloggers (and nonbloggers like myself)! I still compare myself to others when it comes to things like teaching yoga and unfortunately, sometimes I let my insecurities turn into fear, which turns into a huge hesitation/block from moving forward with things.
I truly enjoy your posts and your Instagram feeds – keep them coming!!
Excellent blog!
You did amazing job.