Real Talk: What's it Like to Be a Professional Blogger?
I'm writing this post in Reno, Nevada. I see a view of the mountains from the floor to ceiling window of the hotel room. Fred & I are literally in fluffy white robes, working on our laptops. I'm sitting on a king size bed with four pillows placed behind me.
The Travel Channel plays quietly on the television in the background. There's even a telephone & TV in the bathroom. I hear Fred typing & the subtle noise of muffled music coming from his earbuds.
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My phone & camera rest beside me. My laptop sits, as per its namesake, in my lap. I'm working on a post right now. Three actually. I Air Drop a couple photos from my phone to my computer. I respond to some emails. I take a swig of coffee.
This is what I had in mind when I thought of being a blogger, digital influencer, digital nomad, blogging + social media coach, whatever you want to call me. However, this is not my every day. After nearly 3 weeks of entrepreneurship, I'm usually at home in athleisure wear, messy hair, no make up on.
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| View from the Campsite |
I'm normally hunched over my laptop with a sexy view of my apartment parking lot. I adore being spoiled & traveling & enjoying afternoon hors d'oeuvres, but it's not my every day. I think it's important to say that.
As a digital-focused society, we tend to see bits & bobs of someone's life, not knowing what happens the rest of the time. We don't often witness someone's four-day-old greasy hair or their brand new batch of pimples or their stress of negotiating with brands.
The cozy white slippers & the tasty pillow mints are super awesome & utterly appreciated. Just yesterday I was packing up my camping gear. We camped in the desert. We tossed & turned in the evening heat, then tossed & turned some more in the cool morning air.
Just yesterday there was no TV in the bathroom. There was no bathroom at all, except the portable unit about a 10-minute walk away. Just nature. Just birds chirping. Just you & the world. No pillow mints. No robes. No hors d'oeuvres. Just a browning banana, lukewarm water, & some melted chocolate granola.
Yesterday? Yesterday I was melting in the desert with a few fresh pimples, wearing the same clothes two days in a row. Today? Today I'm in a fluffy white robe on a king bed in an air-conditioned hotel room. Tomorrow? Well, who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Blogging can be glamorous. Blogging can be monotonous. Blogging can be relaxing. Blogging can be stressful. Blogging can be difficult. Blogging can give you purpose. Blogging ranges day to day. That's the reality of being a blogger. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Make sure to follow along on Instagram Stories for blogging behind-the-scenes.
How does the reality of being a blogger sound to you? :]
Great post! I love blogging because you never know who you're going to meet or the people's live your going to impact!
ReplyDeleteAlexis||https://lidsandtricks.com/
Nice post, still sounds better than 9 to 5 in a corporate office!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this and truly the life of a blogger is really interesting.
ReplyDeletewww.underaytedray.com
Absolutely! That's why I quit my corporate job - it was sucking out my soul! This is so much better. :]
ReplyDeleteSame girl <3 Keep doing you, boo
ReplyDeleteEnclothed Cognition
I feel this on a personal level! It is important to put out good content even if it isn't showing everything in your life!
ReplyDeleteBriana
http://beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com/
The life of a blogger is really interesting sometimes. You can know new people and amazing places!
ReplyDeletexx
http://www.mybeautrip.com
Lovely post! Thank you for letting us know we are not alone!
ReplyDeleteStaci
http://gingeredstate.com
I think readers LIKE reading about the not-so-glamorous days too, just as much as we love your incredible travel posts. More of both please 😊Xx
ReplyDeleteKirsty
portersthoughts.com
Great Post!
ReplyDeleteSo true! It's so enriching! :]
ReplyDeleteIt is. It ranges day to day, which I prefer to my old office job! :]
ReplyDeleteLoved this. You have a great prowess but yes. The reality of being a blogger still sounds incredible to me.
ReplyDeleteTrue that!
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh but these lovely details are what makes life so juicy! We're all so caught up in the 'highlight reels' that exist on social media, we forget that everyone is still imperfectly awesome. And we think that's way more fun :) . Keep being real girl!
ReplyDeleteSusie | http://milehighdreamers.com
I think it's important people see the not so glamorous side. I truly believe some people get into it without even realising the hard work it takes x
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this! I'm a travel blogger, so 100% of my content revolves around the places that my family and I get to visit as a result of my blog. However, my day-to-day life usually involves me hauling around my kids, trying to work with them screaming the background, and desperately searching for dinner about 5 minutes before the hangry hits for everyone! That daily grind still makes me happier than any other job I've ever had, but it's definitely not all luxury hotels and plane rides!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a fashion blog which got too big for me and started to become all about sponsored posts... I lost my voice.
I have always had problem skin, and I have a lot of experience with solving skin issues and the best products to use... So I started a skincare blog.
For my readers and for myself - coz I do enjoy blogging.
The reality of blogging for me now is - doing what I love and trying to help others.
It is far from glamorous - however I think I have more meaningful connections this way.
I am always on my cluttered desk, blogging on my laptop in my PJs.
That is the reality for me.
Kiri
Set to Glow
http://www.settoglow.com.au
Love this post, carmen! It's so true. I used to think bloggers had this amazing and fab life (& there are a few who really do portray their life like that!) but it's not. Just right now I am sitting in my kitchen reading blogs. My hair is greasy and in desprate need of a wash, I'm wearing yoga leggins, I have no make-up on, and my skin is honestly not looking good at all, and my nail polish is a week old and half of it is gone... So yeah, not very glamorous at all! But sometimes it is but most of the time it's really not glamourous at all behind the scenes!
ReplyDeleteHeidi xx
https://theglowingyogagirl.com/
I love reading how blogging isn't what it seems in the blog posts! I'm trying to keep my blog as real as possible and just hoping that my readers like it as much as I do. Loving this post!
ReplyDeleteHeidi 🍓 | Heidi's Planner | Instagram
It's a wonderful life but it's also a ton of work, a lot more than non-bloggers would ever imagine. There is a series of highs and lows, successes and failures. But always learning and growing, and I put a lot of value on that. Great topic!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being honest, people forget the pictures on blogs, Instagram etc are just a small glimpse of time and doesn't mean its has or been always that way.
ReplyDeleteVery very true! loved the post.
ReplyDeletewww.thekaytimes.com
Thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteSo true!
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot that goes into blogging & it's definitely important to see all aspects of it! :]
ReplyDeleteThat's so true. There are people who portray their lives like that, I am not one of those people. :]
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your story. :]
ReplyDeleteHa ha, Love that! There're so much more than meets the eye. :]
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
ReplyDeleteGot to love those juicy details! Thanks for reading. :]
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is incredible - I love it! :]
ReplyDeleteThanks. :]
ReplyDeleteDuly noted. Thanks for reading, Kirsty. Any subject matter you'd like to see in particular? :]
ReplyDeleteWe're in this together. :]
ReplyDeleteThat's certainly true. :]
ReplyDeleteGood, authentic content is key. Gotta be you at the end of the day. :]
ReplyDeleteThanks Keri <3
ReplyDelete