I've been thinking a lot lately about why I blog.
Why do I share so much of myself on the internet with thousands of people that I don't really know? Why do I stand outside a fruit stall posing with my photographer and putting on my best 'photography' smile lol? I guess the simple answer is 'because I like it', but lets delve a little deeper.

Firstly, people start blogs for different reasons. I guess nowadays people may publish their first post for the hopes of a entrepreneurial blogging career, event invites and because they want a piece of the blogging pie (fair play). But I think its fair to say that back in the OG blogger days, we started for the sole reason of finally having a place where we feel like we belong. Back then, blogging was a community of like minded women testing the waters with different ideas, different styles and different passions. We were (and still are tbh) a force to be reckoned with.

I started Youtube in 2011 and my blog followed a few years later. Youtube came first because I found it easier to talk on camera, than I did to write and actually make sense lol (I'm hoping things have improved since then?). In my opinion, making a video and compiling a post is pretty much the same thing, as they both take time and effort. Although over the years I have found that I am inspired to blog more than I am to put together a video - mainly because Youtube algorithms suck, and also because I have fallen in love with words and fashion imagery and I find blogging a little bit more challenging - I love a challenge. Youtube quite often has a negative and braggy vibe that just doesn't sit well with me, but graciefrancesca.com is a place that I can get my creative juices flowing without anticipating anxiety of a thumbs down or a negative comment. Oh and I also like to veg out on my sofa, in my knickers blogging on my laptop. Anyone else lol?

I didn't start creating content knowing it would lead to a full-time job. In fact, I didn't even know it could be a full-time job, especially because my earnings were so poor, £70 a month type of poor lol. But I didn't care because I didn't need to make money from it, I just loved doing it. When I first started out I was unhappy, unfulfilled & very very mentally unwell - creating was a way for me to shut off my negative thoughts and it also became an outlet. It still is!

Now in 2017 I can say with great pride that I have been full-time blogging since 2015. It has been full of ups and downs, incredible opportunities and many difficult lessons but I wouldn't change a damn thing. I adore my job and this ever growing business that I have created for myself.