As you might have noticed, I took a short hiatus over here, and that’s because I was doing a bit of soul searching.
I was feeling a bit lost and purpose-less, and in such a saturated sphere, like the internet is nowadays, I felt like I was talking into a void and no one was listening. With so many bloggers, creators, and other types of entrepreneurs and influencers, was there even a point anymore? Was there space for me? I honestly wondered.
I’m someone who needs purpose to get things done. I can’t feel like a hamster spinning around and getting nowhere or I start feeling trapped and pointless, you know?
So I took a moment to analyze and re-asses this whole blogging thing, and had a bit of an epiphany.
While I still follow some big bloggers and some huge influencers, I have stopped following many of them. Why? Because they got so big, they are no longer relatable. While I enjoy seeing some magazine-quality photo editorials taken in Santorini now and then, I much prefer following and talking to smaller bloggers and artists who, while traveling, still lead mostly regular lives, share their struggles, and actually take the time to reply to other people’s comments and questions.
I think social media nowadays is often lacking in humanity and genuine connection, and it’s in our hands to change that.
I understand that we are busy, and can’t often reply one-on-one to everyone, but at least make an effort, you know? Answer a few questions, reply to some comments, even if it’s just the first X amount. Make an insta story answering the most asked about topics. I don’t care how you do it, but show that you care, acknowledge your followers, and treat them like more than a number.
Most of the “big” personalities I have stopped following suffer from these issues: Either they became completely relatable, or they don’t bother interacting. Or both.
And this is the opportunity I see for smaller and new bloggers and creators.
Not only do I believe we all have voices worth being heard and a distinctive point of view, but I think we can work better at keeping it real, forge a connection, and you know, actually be social online. We don’t have crazy budgets and demands set by Cartier, and we don’t think (or at least I don’t), that we’re above replying to another person’s comment because we’re just “too important” or busy.
Let’s restore blogging to its former glory. Let’s make genuine content. Let’s connect and care.
I think there’s no one better suited for this than smaller and newer creators online. The big players have already moved onto their own universe, and might as well be a digital version of Vogue, and as much as I enjoy Vogue, it is not all I read, nor what I want to consume most of the time, content-wise (and I definitely don’t feel particularly “close” or “connected” to it).
The whole point of blogging was always to be more real than glossy magazines, and to see people who were more like us. Let’s bring that back! It’s about time! So yes, if you’re wondering if you should continue or get started on this online game, I think it’s the best time to do it.
We need a new generation of REAL bloggers, not smaller-scale celebrities, and you could be part of it :)
(If you have an awesome smaller/newer blog or another online space you think deserves more attention, link it in the comments. I’d love to check it out!)
