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( cape ($49) // jeans (less expensive option) // tank // pumps ( designer dupes ) // earrings )
It has officially been one month since I decided to take the blog full-time, so I figured it was time for a little update!
The first month was definitely exhilarating, exciting, weird and stressful – all at the same time.
I was (& still am!) so happy to finally have the opportunity to take this leap. To spend day in and day out doing what I love and what I have been dreaming of doing since I started this blog in 2015.
It has definitely been incredibly rewarding and I’m still having that “pinch me” moment.
One thing for sure, I’ve definitely learned that blogging full time is not a walk in the park.
For those of you who are reading this, who do not know a lot about blogging, I’ll let you in on a little secret. The blogging world is one, straight, non-stop hustle. Unlike 9-5s, bloggers do not get guaranteed bi-weekly paychecks. It’s 100% up to us to reach out to brands, book campaigns, sell products to readers, and create engaging content I mean, don’t get me wrong, I knew all of this before taking this full-time, but it’s different now… Like if I don’t work day-in and day-out, I can’t make rent – lol.
I laugh about it now, but it has been scary to think about.
I will say though, it’s crazy just how many more campaigns I’ve been able to book in just one month of blogging full-time, by actually having the time to reach out to brands and return emails in a timely matter.
It has also been really weird not getting up and going to my old office every day. Some day’s I even feel myself missing it (?) or like I’ve been playing hooky this whole time (?), when in reality, this is my new reality. It has been weird putting together a new schedule and making working from home actually work. It’s easy to get in the habit of doing things like sleeping in later than I normally would but I’ve learned that by getting up and treating it like a day job, the more productive I am and the more I get done.
I’ve absolutely loved being my own boss and setting my own schedule. Meeting a friend for lunch or going to a doctors appointment without getting approval first.
The most unproductive part has been me wanting to clean all the time. I am super Type A and throughout the day, I find myself constantly wanting to clean. I’ll step away from my computer to grab a glass of water and then will find myself sweeping up Bentley hair, doing the dishes or folding blankets.
The hardest part of all of it though has been the strain it has had on me and my Dad. As most of you know, my previous job was working for him and our family’s company. So me leaving to pursue my dream has been really difficult. I hate putting any type of negative connotation on here because this is supposed to be a happy place – but this is just something I am going through right now and I share pretty much everything with yall.
This is the first time in my life I have been 100% on my own. This may sound ridiculous to some, because I am 25, I should be doing all of these things, but up until just a month ago, I still didn’t pay for little things like my own car insurance. So basically this is the first time in my life I’ve actually feel like an adult.
I mean, you’ve got to grow up one day Peter Pan.
So there you go, there is my life update! I know I’ve mentioned the possibility of going back to work in a different industry or doing something part-time and that’s not off the table!! Who knows, in a few months I may be dying to go back to a more structured environment, but for right now, I’m still giving this a go.
Lets see what February brings!:)
xo,
Lauren
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