August 5, 2014

Comparison Is A Thief

 T-shirt: Gap, Lace kimono: Forever 21, Distressed denim: Ross (℅), Sneakers: Bensimon via MyHabit, Accessories: Karen Walker sunglasses, Forever 21 necklace, Alexis Bittar bracelet, 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli

I've come across several posts lately that discuss the whole concept of being a blogger. Blogging sure has changed hasn't it? I mean...there once was a time when no one paid any attention to an "average" person who posted things online. Blogging was more of an outlet for people to express themselves or even for people to keep in touch. Now, blogging can equate to a career. Heck, people are even quitting their jobs because they supposedly make enough income to sustain a lifestyle.

Blogging sure has stepped up its game. Unfortunately, those who are "left behind" start comparing themselves to others. Then, the viciousness starts where people think "why not me?" and "what's wrong with me?" 


That's the thing though...there isn't anything wrong with you. We all have to step back and wonder why we're in this community. Are you in it for the fame? Or are you in it for the creative outlet it provides? There's nothing wrong with either reason per se but, it's always unfortunate when we start to feel badly about ourselves about something that's really...just made-up. This whole internet world is made-up. The WWW was created by someone and then other people took it and ran with it. #justsayin


Surpassing the negative emotions is challenging. If thinking positively all the time was easy, there would be a ton of happier drivers on the road. Life truly is what we make of it. We'll never be perfect but, that's exactly why we're so unique. Just because you aren't written about in publications or receiving thousands of "likes" on your social media page does not mean your content is less worthy. 


Don't worry, I have fallen victim to this viciousness plenty of times myself. Since I primarily post about personal style, I sometimes sit back and wonder about certain looks and analyze photos to the point of obsession. (Like, this look isn't really that ah-mazing but, I love the lace kimono and the laid-back style of this outfit.) But, I really remember why I'm here. Comparison is a thief. But, I can surely take joy back when I want to.







36 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this post and couldn't agree more! People have to remember what blogging is really all about.

    PS - Your outfit is seriously adorable :)

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  2. Great post!
    Blogging is a hard world these days! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
    -Adrienne. xo

    Citizen of the World
    Citizen of the World

    Check out my new online boutique!!
    Wanderlust Boutique

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  3. Yes, I agree .. I do think "why not me" at times, but I started my blog to help pear shaped women find pants .. and so that's good enough for me :-)

    Monica, www.pear-shaped-gal.com

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  4. I think comparison is part of the blogging game- we can't help but do it, but we also can't let it defeat us. It's crazy how much blogging has changed in the last few years and I'm sure it will continue to do so.

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  5. I completely agree with you. Just because you don't have a certain amount of likes or press doesn't mean anything at all. We are personal style bloggers and we and this as an outlet to post and share things we love. Sometimes I get frustrated with comparisons too but at the end of the day it's important to remember you are doing this because you love it! p.s LOVE this kimono Nancy! xx Kat


    Love and Ace

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  6. I struggle with this a lot! I compare myself to bloggers who have been doing this the same amount of time I have and I wonder why I'm not as "popular". But I have to remember that I'm doing this because I like it and that's the most important thing.
    I love the mix of the feminine lace and the distressed jeans!
    ~Jessica
    Jeans and a Teacup

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  7. I 100% agree with all of your statements in this post. Good for you! It really can be discouraging to compare yourselves to the "big name bloggers", to wonder why you don't have more followers or likes and to consider yourself a failure for not partnering with the big name companies. But if you really are just doing it for yourself, it shouldn't matter! I love your blog. I Pin your outfits all the time because I think you have great style! For example, I love this kimono!

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  8. I totally agree. While I'd love to blog every day like some of my friends, I realistically post 4 times a month, if that. I'm in it for the community and the creativity. The community is the best bonus, having people who share your obsession is truly gratifying. Like, I'm not the only one.
    -ash
    www.stylizedwannabe.blogspot.com

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  9. Love this casual look! Especially how you missed all the prints and textures!

    Jessica | streetandsheer

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  10. AMEN AMEN AMEN to this whole post! I was reading it and kept on saying YESS! To so many things. You are so right girl.

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  11. I love this, thank you for posting! I've been blogging for 5 years and its definitely changed SO MUCH. Not for the better either. Its sort of lost that certain feeling of ease, of just being yourself and not feeling like you have to keep up with others. I still absolutely love doing it, but I just wish it wasn't so competitive.

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  12. I think we probably all fall prey to the whole comparison thing at some point but it's important to just remember we do best when we do our own thing. Yes to taking the joy back!

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  13. This was a perfectly written post! I just started my blog up again because I got to burnt out on this thinking. But I missed doing it so now I'm doing it because its fun and I love it. :) Thanks for sharing! Love the outfit too.

    aubreenoelle.blogspot.com

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  14. Such a fun kimono and tee. I loved how you paired the delicate colors into a very soft and feminine look!

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  15. Comparing is never a good thing! It will only cause bad or hurt feelings. This was an excellent post Nancy! Really cool tee!

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  16. Very well said Nancy! I am so guilty of thinking if I am a "real" blogger as you know. I have come to realize it's a fun hobby for me to connect with other people that enjoy fashion as much I do. What a pretty kimono, you always find great things at F21. Do you mainly shop online or in store at F21?

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  17. i love this lil lace kimono!!!

    well written about comparison, if only positivity came more easy : ) but it's worth fighting for!

    lacee swan

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  18. Very inspiring post! Comparing myself to others has become inevitable but to the very essence of it, I remind myself that blogging is my creative and happy space. I hope you keep doing what you love! Btw, I love your kimono and denim:)

    http://www.stripedlune.blogspot.com

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  19. loved reading this post! it has happened to me and when the green monster rears his ugly head i take a step back and take a few days away from blogging until I want to do post fun outfits that reflect me and noone else and I feel inspired. You are one of my fave bloggers, love this kimono too, I haven't jumped on that trend but i love seeing it!

    Chioma's Evolution of Style

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  20. Agreed. Can't let comparison kill the good things, but rather act as a motivator for growth - whether it's in the blogging business or bettering self.

    http://heyprettything.com

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  21. Preach, girl. This is exactly what I've been thinking about with blogging a lot recently too. Especially since coming back from my little summer break and realizing just how hard it is to get back in the loop with everything is. In other news, I love everything about this look. Literally, all of it look perfect!

    -Chelsea
    chelsandthecity.blogspot.com

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  22. just yesterday i was analyzing a pic i posted of myself on my instagram. why didn't it get more likes? is it bc it was for a blog post and not a life shot? was i too ugly? and then i had to step back and away from the phone, lol

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  23. Totally agree with your sentiments here- it's definitely the same in the beauty blogger community. I often have to step back and regain perspective now and then! And I'm sooo loving your outfit here- the distressed jeans with the feminine kimono is a lovely mix :)

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

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  24. such a great point nancy! i have definitely fallen prey but you're right. it's important to know why we're in this space and what we enjoy getting out of it. i for sure love that i have met so many different people who talk about different things. i learned so much and only hope that i have and am contributing too :)

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  25. You look fabulous! I am absolutely loving those distressed jeans!

    xx

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  26. So beautiful look, the kimono is so lovely. Amazing necklace and combo with ripped jeans. :)
    Thanks for your comment.
    Fashion Happenss

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  27. I've definitely fallen victim to that as well, thankfully it's usually only for some fleeting moments. Love the lace kimono! It's so perfect for summer :)

    Mili

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  28. I'm not sure if my comment went through... so I'll try again. I've fallen victim to this mindset before, but thankfully for only a fleeting moment. Like you said, comparison is a thief ;) Anyways, love the kimono. It's so perfect for summer!

    Mili

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  29. I love the lace kimono, you look amazing!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  30. I struggle with this all the time. I know it's so vain, but sometimes you just can't help it. There are blogs I follow that post basically the same type of content I do and yet they have 478291471 followers, while I'm just sitting with 15 registered on bloglovin. I know there's more people that read my content and aren't subscribed/registered, but some days I just sit and think "why do I even try? I'll never be x-blogger". But I constantly remind myself that I do it because I enjoy it. I enjoy engaging with the readers I do have and I will never make a living out of it.

    Ps- kimonos = love :)

    <3
    kimberrleigh

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  31. Comparison is definitely a thief. I think every blogger has done it at least once. But yeah, I agree with what you had to say about it. You just have to be you. But speaking of thieves, I would so love to steal your jeans! Too cute.

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  32. This is a beautiful post. I started blogging to keep in touch with family and friends while I was in Ireland for 5 months, and continued to write once I returned home because I so enjoyed the creative outlet it's provided. But this community is so much more than just a space to be yourself...for some people, it IS a business, a way of life. It's easy to get caught up in that, compare yourself to those bloggers, want to be a part of that lifestyle even if that isn't your intent in blogging. You are such a beautiful writer-I love it! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog, I'm so glad you did and I was able to discover your fantastic site! xx

    The What's In Between

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  33. Great post, Nancy! Comparing yourself to others never ends well. We all want to be the best in anything we do, but if we keep comparing ourselves with others we only end up thinking of other people when we should be focusing on ourselves! Also, your kimono is so pretty!
    ~Sara

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  34. Well written post. Really people connect to other bloggers because they can relate to them or like them for some reason. They bring some sort of value to their lives.

    Also...case in point, my blog isn't "successful" in traditional sense, but I am currently writing this from the airport in Amsterdam where I just spent 10 days visiting 3 different bloggers that invited me over to the Netherlands to visit and have a brilliant holiday. I got to connect in person with 3 wonderful women I never would have met had it not been for my "unsuccessful" blog. I cherish these moments. They make life worthwhile and blogging suddenly becomes as Mastercard would suggest, "Priceless."

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  35. Well written post. Really people connect to other bloggers because they can relate to them or like them for some reason. They bring some sort of value to their lives.

    Also...case in point, my blog isn't "successful" in traditional sense, but I am currently writing this from the airport in Amsterdam where I just spent 10 days visiting 3 different bloggers that invited me over to the Netherlands to visit and have a brilliant holiday. I got to connect in person with 3 wonderful women I never would have met had it not been for my "unsuccessful" blog. I cherish these moments. They make life worthwhile and blogging suddenly becomes as Mastercard would suggest, "Priceless."

    bisous
    Suzanne

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