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8 In blogging/ ramblings

change

Black and white portrait of teen girl with long brunette hair

black-and-white-teen-portrait

Is my blog ‘evolving’, or just becoming a truer reflection of me?  Wow, doesn’t that sound cheesy haha.  I don’t mean to seem like I’m taking the whole blogging thing way too seriously, but I do think it’s worthwhile taking a step back to look at where I’m going.  Change happens without us even realising it!  For example, there have been a few ‘relationships’ (I use that term loosely) themed posts lately by myself and guests, that are pretty different to my style of posting when I started out.  They’re just relatable topics in teenage life though, so that kind of post felt natural!  I gave my drafts folder a bit of a spring clean recently too, trashing quite a few posts that I started and abandoned.   Most just wouldn’t fit right now, or barely even make sense to me so God help anyone else reading them!   One or two of said drafts were therapeutic to write though, and I’ll never delete but won’t ever publish either.  Several people (who know me in person) have said that they’re enjoying my recent blogging style, which makes me so happy!  Online support means indescribable amounts, but it’s great hearing that people who’ve known your ‘real life’ self first also like your online ways.  Relatable is what I’m going for so I’m happy!

Whilst we’re on the topic, I’m aware that posts about hot guys and guest posts dotted with profanities might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but… well… it’s just real.  I know that some bloggers have received negative feedback when their blog adopts a different tone or their subject matter changes, which just seems ridiculous to me.  Someone becomes a mother, their blog evolves into a ‘mummy blog’ alongside whatever they originally posted, and readers complain that they didn’t follow to read a ‘mummy blog’, for example.  A blog is (usually) about YOUR life, so what’s the problem?  The blog should evolve with you.  I’ve been on this blog since I was 10 and writing since I was 15, so I should hope I’ve changed a hell of a lot during that time!  I’m lucky enough to have some long time readers that have stuck around, but I know others have probably lost interest long ago.  Maybe I was more entertaining as a tween than at 17!

*rant over*. Where were we?

There are tons of blogging advice articles stating that CONTENT CONTENT CONTENT is the main thing that matters, but all comes back to the same thing: write what’s in your head at the time.  (Or at least has been in your head recently – you know what I mean.  Still counts if you jotted the idea down 2 days ago).  I have loads of drafts in various stages of completion, however I only post them when I feel like it.  I’m yet to actually schedule a single one.  A vague plan of action is as good as it gets.

In an ideal world it’d be X outfit posts, X wordy posts, X product posts, X fitness posts, per week or whatever, all evenly spaced out.  Keeping it real though, that’s never gonna happen!  A couple of weeks ago it was all OOTDs, other weeks have passed without an outfit in sight because I probably haven’t worn anything interesting enough, oops.  That level of organisation and forward planning would be beyond me!   There’s just no point in forcing anything, I don’t think.  One week may be clothes, clothes, and more clothes (gal is a tad obsessed, sorry), and the next week may be all rants.  If y’know, I’m feeling that way inclined.  Consistency probably isn’t my strong point and that’s supposedly one of these ‘key ingredients to success’ too, but I’m not gonna prioritise it too highly.  Attempting to create content based on what you imagine others may enjoy reading (or expect to see) is harder than just emptying your brain.

Do you feel like your blog content has changed a great deal since you started out?

In other change-related (but totally unrelated) news, I finally have a new phone!   It’s nothing fancy, but it’s copper coloured and matte so I love it.  Most important feature, obvs.  I kinda feel like I’m cheating on Nokia Brick that’s been through many an emotional conversation and phonecall, but it needed to retire.  Memorabilia now.  Can you tell I’m a rather sentimental character?  Friends know me for my indestructible Nokia Brick though, so apparently it doesn’t suit me to have a nice sleek new phone in hand!  Naturally I’ve spent a morning tinkering, copying contacts, installing apps etc. etc. etc., as you do when any new toy enters the house.  I’m also far too amused by the fact that typing a word brings up an emoji suggestion for that word!  Probably shouldn’t admit that but ah well.   My messages are now laden with emojis, but it’s keeping me entertained.

*insert heart eyes emoji*

lily kate x

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8 Comments

  • Reply
    Holly B.
    11th April 2015 at 9:18 pm

    Never fret about what you’re posting. Swear if you want, gush about hot guys if you want, share what you’re working on if you want. I’ve been lurking around since your mom was posting about your knitting designs, which are really, really wonderful. I’ll bang on the table and say MOAR KNITTING, but it’s really quite sweet seeing you blossom through your teens, play with style, and worry about not being some people’s cup of tea. You’re talented and articulate – offer no apologies for what you want to write about as you find your voice.

    Much love from a librarian/lurker across the globe –
    h

    • Reply
      lily kate
      12th April 2015 at 3:48 pm

      Holly this honestly made my day! Thank you so much for sticking around all this time, I’m amazed you haven’t gotten sick of me yet! Funny you should say about knitting; I’ve just posted a finished project today. 😀
      Never gonna be everyone’s cup of tea, so let’s not bother trying eh!

  • Reply
    Max
    12th April 2015 at 12:03 am

    New phone woo! Careful while breaking it in, as it isn’t the brick you are used to.

    I like your blog a lot. The variety is great. The guest blogger was hilarious! I love him, though he sounds a bit too busy to write more. And I like these more personal topics too. I would say that outfits are not my favourite, but then again, your last outfit, the crossed top and midi skirt was just perfect on you. So who knows. I do like outfits!

    I was reading one blog that had posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Monday was always a new outfit she had sewn for a kid, and Friday was basically something along the lines of “have a nice weekend”. So and am officially bored with that one now. Consistency could turn into consistently boring. So I like what you re doing. It seems simple really. What do you do when you run out of stuff to talk about? Just talk about something else.

    • Reply
      lily kate
      12th April 2015 at 3:58 pm

      I’m being so careful with it atm! I’m so clumsy to I really have to watch myself haha.
      I’m glad you like the variety! He’s a great writer isn’t he! Personal ones are best spontaneous anyway I think, too much planning and it just wouldn’t be the same.
      Consistency could so easily slip into routine and then slip into boring. Would be impossible over exam season too, I’m gonna be so busy! We’ll see how blogging goes through that 😀

  • Reply
    Jazmin | The Monochromes
    12th April 2015 at 1:30 pm

    Completely agree – your blog is your space and it shows when it’s forced, so it’s always best to post about what feels most natural at the time. – Jx

    • Reply
      lily kate
      12th April 2015 at 3:59 pm

      It really does show when a blogger tries to follow a formula! Natural is always best 😀

  • Reply
    Samio
    12th April 2015 at 4:15 pm

    I actually cannot write a text message without adding an emoji (unless it’s to my grandparents). Emojis are addictive and I’m actually starting to think they should be added to the dictionary (don’t hate me)…

    Anyway blogging since you were 10! Wow, rookie over here. I can see how your blog is bound to have changed a whole lot. I think it’s natural for your blog to change even monthly. I’m like you, dependent on life, week to week my content changes. When I first began I’d blog about travel and day trips once in a blue moon, now I blog about either outfits or makeup almost daily and I still throw in the odd random post… It’s a great place for self expression, so I think it’s great to write what you feel or what interests you, almost like an online diary.

    I have to say I like reading blogs like yours that have a bit more of a personal touch, as in some added lifestyle in the posts… Wow I write ALOT. Sorry for the long comment but I guess it’s always good to be able to write a post that sparks conversation. 🙂

    Samio x
    http://www.samio.co.uk

    • Reply
      lily kate
      15th April 2015 at 5:49 pm

      No text message is complete sans emoji! I use them as punctuation basically haha.
      I only properly took over this blog when I was 15, my mum ran it before then but I featured on here very often 🙂 Lots more changed in the pipeline probably! I LOVE your blog, please keep doing what you’re doing! Or, whatever you fancy writing ;D
      Long comments are the best, thank you! I try to add some little lifestyle bits just so it isn’t always one long ramble about sleeves and collars and stuff haha. Really glad you like it! 😀

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