I can definitely say that everyone and their Mums are blogging nowadays.

Blogging is a great creative outlet to share some insight into your life. I started blogging because I wanted to share my personal style with my readers and slowly get into lifestyle and other activities like photography. Two years into blogging and I have become familiar with what the blogging community is like, both the pretty and the ugly. I have shared the pretty side about blogging and its community, so this post will be about the ugly side.

1. Having a large following is all that matters

This means bloggers and brand collaborations. With that being said, Brands do want to work with Bloggers with a substantial amount of followers so their products can reach a large audience. BUT what really grind my gears is the fact that these brands are looking at certain bloggers' numbers and not the quality of their content.

Example being:

Blogger A- Instagram ( 10k+ not so active followers ) - content is decent

Blogger B- Instagram ( 4k or less with active followers ) much more engaging content

It bothers me that Blogger B wouldn't get a second glance because of their following, but Blogger A would receive sponsored content. Why? Because they have more of a following.

Just because someone has thousands of followers doesn't mean they're getting thousands of likes. Remember that.

2. So maybe you think you're better than everyone else?

Continuing on the topic of followers.

I have been to a few Fashion Blogger events and I have come across certain bloggers (who will remain nameless) and ' cliques ' who think they are better than everyone else. They think that their following and collabs with brands make them above everyone else, but they need to realize that we are all in the same field. I hate the divisiveness that creates. I personally think that if you have reached the point where you think you are better than everyone else, it is time to take a massive step back to reevaluate your actions toward fellow bloggers.

3. Negativity

If you're a blogger, you're going to have to understand that the more recognition you get, the more criticism/hate you get. I haven't experienced that yet, but I do get the occasional bloggers with around 30k+ followers who follow me just for the follow back. When I follow them back, they’ll unfollow me because they would rather have a large following instead of produce amazing content and make genuine connections.

4. I want freebies and money

With bloggers nowadays that is all they seek. Granted, freebies are great and if your end goal and dream is to build your own business to make money, you have to think realistically. Those are benefits that come with consistent blogging, but your sole purpose of blogging and success should not be based on the amount of free stuff and money you earn. You should blog with pure intentions.

5. It's not as easy as you think it is

Many people view blogging as easy - I hate to be the one to tell you, but it's not. You have to produce great content and engage readers in order to garner a following and earn recognition. You have to be interesting and that takes time, effort, and hard work. Coming up with different things to blog about, as well as making sure you are consistently uploading new and exciting content for your readers to enjoy can become difficult and tiring. I will say this to everyone who asks me for tips on starting a blog: only start one if you're going to be fully committed and enjoy it.

Holy crap we are officially in 2017!!!! This is seriously insane! Counting down to the New Year I was flipping out because in 14 days it is my birthday! I still don't know what I am going to be doing for m birthday BUT when it doubt I can always take a trip to New York City. The other night I had the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with someone I haven't seen in years and he gave me some insight at what I wanted to gain from blogging. No one has ever taken the time out to sit down with me and ask me what I wanted to gain from blogging. The question took me by surprise and I found myself stumbling around with the words to answer him.

What did I look to gain from blogging?

Why have I kept up with it all this time?

Did you guys take a step back to ask yourselves what you were looking to gain from blogging? My end goal became apparent after I took the time think about it. Should I share it with you guys or should I reveal it later on? I personally think that I should reveal it to you guys later on. Keep a bit of a mystery going on.

So, here is a picture from Instagram that showed me the most liked/viewed photos from 2016! Gives me a general idea of what you guys like seeing on my Instagram. Hopefully this year will be filled with more coffee dates, blogger meetups, events and adventures. Travel is big on my list this year. I refuse to keep putting it off.

Can't wait to share my 2017 adventures with you guys!