Confessions of a Blogger

Lix from A Classic Notion tagged me to do the Confessions of a Blogger post. I felt it a perfect way to collect some thoughts and for you to learn a bit more about me and why I blog here. It is also a great break from all the crafting I have going on today.

1. When did you first start blogging and why?

I started this blog in March of this year. I had tossed the idea of Oh Whimsical Me back it forth, for a year or two actually, while I was still in college. I struggle with depression and anxiety (you can read a bit more about that here and here) and hit a real low while I was living in Moscow. I started this blog after moving back to Boise, sort of in celebration of overcoming some things personally. Also because I had wanted to for so long and I was tired of not doing the things I wanted out of fear. It is a place for my to stay organized as well; to share my thoughts, inspiration, and creations.

2. Have you had any past online presence?

Yes, I've had a tumblr since September 2008. I had to go look at my archives and check, and wow that seems like forever ago. I have changed so much since then. That is what I love so much about tumblr, and why I still use it (although I must admit I mostly just reblog things I like a lot now).  It was my safe haven for so many years. I have met so many great people I call dear friends. It was even my support system at times, back when I felt like I had no one else. I love going back and reading through my old posts (I use to write there a lot) and seeing my own growth over the years.

3. When did you become serious about your blog?

The moment I started it, truthfully. Although it started out more as a place to record memories of my personal life (more for my own benefit). I still like to use this place to document those things and share them with my readers, but my vision for where I would like my blog to end up has changed drastically.

4. What was your first blog post?

The very first one is just a very brief intro into why I was starting this blog. The first full post (the second post here) was pictures from a hiking trip Will and I took with the pups.

5. What have been your biggest challenges blogging?

I have a lot of ideas constantly swarming around up in this head but I have a tendency to let the majority of them slip away unexecuted. I'm working on it and trying to keep all my ideas organized/written down for later use. At first, I also struggled with what to post because I wanted to keep my reader audience in mind. I also felt, for some reason, that there was an unspoken quota I had to reach each week or month. Now I mostly just post what I want and when I comfortably can, which seems to work out better for everyone. I also struggle with networking and reaching out to other bloggers, because I'm shy and have terrible social anxiety (yes even on the internet) but I need to more.

6. What is the most rewarding thing about blogging?

The community, no competition. I meet so many caring, inspirational people all the time. I don't know why, but before I started my blog I thought things were going to be a lot harder than they are. I didn't expect so many people to be interested in the content I post and to be so welcoming.

7. What is the most discouraging thing about blogging?

This may only apply to me, because I feel like I got myself into this situation. Sometimes I do feel a little limited. There are definitely things I keep myself from pursuing or posting about because I feel that there would be no interest. I have such a wide array of things I find interesting and enjoy, but I feel that within the context of this blog those topics would feel like outsiders (like the podcast appreciation post).  Perhaps I created the parameters here a little too thin. I love sharing snippets of my life and personal style and crafts and recipes I love. But I'd also love to discuss feminist issues, social constructs, racism, gender norms, my favorite sci-fi films, how great Netflix is, why I want to live in Canada, my struggle to build a portfolio, etc. I don't know how to balance all of that. I have created a great and supportive readership here and I don't want to burst that.

8. What is your lasting inspiration or motivation?

I just love sharing things I discover/create. I am a very passionate person and when I really love something I want everyone else to know about it too. Every time I share a recipe I wish I could come over to your house and whip you up a taste. When I share pictures from a trip I took I wish you all could have been there to witness how breathtaking the mountains were and feel how refreshing the air was too. And I wish you all could have your own personal Pippin, because he is the greatest and keeps me happy with puppy snuggles everyday.

9. What is your blogging dirty little secret?

It's not dirty, nor is it probably a secret, but I blog from bed a lot. It is the comfiest place and warmest place in this cold house, so it is bound to happen.

I'm still currently 'unemployed,' so this blog is my main thing. And I still don't do it all that well

I also really hope to collaborate with more bloggers, brands, businesses in the future.

10. What is your current goal as a blogger?

I really love seeing my blog grow organically and never try to push anything too hard. I want to maintain that, while somehow networking more and growing my readership. I do feel that my blog is currently an extension of me and a great representation of my character. I don't want that to ever change. If anything, I need to improve on it.

11. Have you learned or become passionate about anything through blogging that caught you by surprise?

When I began I never had any interest in outfit posts or personal style posts. I thought they would get boring really quickly, as my wardrobe is quite small and very few of my pieces are new. In fact, the majority of my clothes have been with me for at least 5 years. I haven't posted many, but my personal style posts are quickly becoming my favorite. I never plan them too carefully (except my Lace Dress 4 Ways for Fall/Winter post, of course), and I usually shoot a few pictures when we are out doing something already on the weekend (thanks Will) with whatever I happen to be wearing that day.

I'm tagging:

Kara from As Always Kara
Dus from Cuddly Cacti
Gabrielle from Hippie Go Lucky
Carolynn from Kitty Adventures
Jessica from Life Laid Bear
Ella from Paper Umbrella
Danica from Good Heart
Cam from Sincerely Cam

Because I want to know more about all of you! Simply answer the questions above if you'd like to participate.

xx Emorie