What Keeps You Up?
I took 8+ months off from blogging. I didn’t miss it much. I didn’t miss blogging in the form that I once experienced it.I enjoyed taking a step back from publishing so that I could appreciate what 7 years of sharing looks like. I took time to read my old posts. I laughed, I cringed, I felt appreciation. But nothing about the “influencer,” promotional or lifestyle side of blogging appeals to me.
I’ve spent the last 8 months feeling like I was wearing a muzzle. It was my own doing. The election here in the U.S. pushed me deep into a cycle of fear. I very much feared to share my ideas, my thoughts, saying the wrong thing. I pulled back from tweeting because I was afraid I would miss a tragedy and appear tone deaf. I deleted Facebook. I stopped getting personal.
But I did create. I created a lot. I started making shit that kept me up at night. I collaborated with women instead of competing. I took portraits of women on my own terms and cried when they finally saw their own beauty.
This space has seen a lot of evolution. I’m excited to enter into the next phase. I felt guilty creating art for the majority of this year. My hope is that by resurrecting this space, I’ll find my voice again. And create some rad stuff.
Photo from my 100 Days of Styling
A Consideration
A weekly email where I share things that made me stop and consider. Never sponsored, no affiliate links.
Comments (9)
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Thank YOU for these kind words, Briana. Instagram has been a gift in that I’ve continued to share and connect. There are totally seasons to it all (creating, art, writing, sharing). Thanks for always being so present and intentional with your words!
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I’m glad to see you blogging again. I missed your words. I miss blogs like yours, actually, where I could connect with the people behind the words, or be inspired, or feel like there’s a human writing… Everywhere I look today I see bloggers trying to be influencers, with words that are SEO-friendly. It all sounds so fake and so tiring.
I’m also trying to find my voice as a writer, so I’m glad to have your blog to inspire me once more. :)-
I feel 100% the same way. I miss the old blogging ways. I hope to bring it back. MAKE IT COOL AGAIN! The influencer/promoted culture has become a lot. I appreciate it for what it is, though. I’m glad people can make a living doing this but it’s just not something that I want to consume all the time.
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Corey
“I collaborated with women instead of competing. I took portraits of women on my own terms and cried when they finally saw their own beauty.”
Yesssss!
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Allie, I am so glad you are coming back to blogging! You are so inspiring and I love how you challenge yourself. It always inspires me to try and challenge myself in different ways.
I agree with you, blogging has become more promotional and there are sponsored posts everywhere. Every post now-a-days seems to be list style. I miss the blogging world where people would share stories and thoughts. I think others do as well. I am looking to start a personal blog where I log my memories and thoughts and I think it’s great you are coming back. Can’t wait to see your posts :)
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I blogged (the old-fashioned kind of not-for-money blogging) regularly from 2005 until the election, and then have struggled since then to find my voice, too. I mostly just find myself keeping my mouth shut—for many legitimate reasons, but I miss the old days of being able to write so much more effortlessly. Anyway. Heard your interview with Elise and it was nice to know I’m not the only one. I have wanted to get myself restarted for a while now, and may give it a shot again soon. Likely not for 100 days straight though ; )
Briana
Taking time to step back, create art, and reevaluate is a beautiful and necessary step in life! I’m going through a similar season. Even with pulling back from writing your thoughts, you’ve impacted people with the work you’ve done, the kindness you’ve shown, and the way you go about enjoying life. It’s like a warm little hug on instagram! Even the products you guys released through the Wonder Jam gave messages of encouragement!
But now, you’re back in this space. Excited to see what comes.