How I Rediscovered My Blog’s Identity
I’m sure you’re all tired of hearing me talk about how much I’ve been struggling with my blog recently, but I’m happy to say that after the unplanned blog break, taking the time to get back to my blogging roots, breaking up with Passionfruit Ads, and embracing this season of life called limbo, I finally feel like I’m coming out of the fog. It took me a while and a lot of time away from the computer screen, but I’ve got a content calendar that’s full of ideas again and I’m choosing to type this over watching 5 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, so I’m taking it as a sign that things are getting back on track.
The Journey of my Blog’s Identity
As a human being, I am constantly changing, growing and evolving. When I first started blogging at Life with Rosie, it was simply to give me a creative outlet and something to fill my spare time in. Since it was named after my dog, I briefly thought about being niching down and being a dog blogger, but as much as I love Roo, I couldn’t find the passion to write about how much she loved dog treats.
When I rebranded to Hey There, Chelsie, I thought I would narrow down again and start writing about blogging and teaching others how to blog as well. I had a lot to say about the topic and, let’s be real, I could talk about blogging and social media strategies for dayzzz. I launched an eCourse (which is still free and bomb and awesome and you should take it) and did some blog mentoring, but after a few months, I realized that I felt very cramped and backed into a corner. Plus, it didn’t help that so many other bloggers were pursuing the same path and I felt like the blogging world was becoming very saturated with blog advice & how-tos.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love me a good blogging post and I still plan on writing my own from time to time, but writing JUST about blogging wasn’t for me. And that’s okay. I felt like I had more to offer than just blogging advice.
So, over the last month (or two, or three) while I took some serious time off from most of my blogging responsibilities, I thought day and night about what I wanted my purpose for my blog to be. And in that time away from my blog, I discovered new things about myself and wanted so desperately to share them here, but I was afraid that I would turn my audience away. I knew that I had to really nail down a new mission statement for this space to reflect the season of life that I’m in.
So, I thought about what I enjoyed writing about, what my audience seemed to respond to well and what my overall purpose was in sitting down and putting all the effort I do into my blog.
What do I like to Write About?
I think it’s safe to say that I love writing about beauty, makeup & fashion. I always wanted to know how to do my makeup but would walk into the makeup store and feel so completely overwhelmed by all of the products and walk out empty handed. If I can eliminate the overwhelm someone else might feel by the makeup store by helping them pick and choose products to try, save or splurge on, then I feel like I’m doing something right. The same goes for writing about fashion and style: I certainly can’t afford to buy new shoes or clothes every day, so I’m all about getting the most out of my closet, saving where I can and sharing multiple ways to style one item.
Dress: Old Navy (On Sale for $14.00!)
Jacket: Old (from Ross)
Wedges: Old (Similar Here)
Sunglasses: Target
Earrings: Kendra Scott via Rocksbox
I also love sharing the occasional blog/social media tip, trick or strategy, because that’s what I do now as a job and I know how completely overwhelming it can be to be a new blogger and have no idea where to start. And on a more personal level, I have found a lot of therapy and healing through sharing my story and journey of being a pediatric cancer survivor.
And on a more personal level, I have found a lot of therapy and healing through sharing my story and journey of being a pediatric cancer survivor. I have made some of my deepest connections with my audience through those posts and honestly, it has been an amazing outlet for me.
Why does what I have to Write Matter to Anyone Else?
This is where I’ve been struggling the most over the last few months: “the why.” It’s important to write about what I love and to be authentic and honest in the things I share, but there still needs to be a why.
About a week ago, I was cleaning out my Facebook Page and came across a message I had received several months ago. It was from a girl who I had never met, who had found one of my posts about being a cancer survivor on Pinterest. She had just been diagnosed with pediatric cancer and she wrote to tell me that reading my blog showed her that she wasn’t alone in feeling the way she did. She also said that my blog provided her the hope that it is possible to lead a vibrant life after cancer.
And there it was, right in front of me. My purpose, my reason and my why.
The Mission of Hey There, Chelsie
Everyone has something they have survived in their life and those things are dark and twisty and gloomy, but it IS possible to move forward from it and to heal. I want women, especially, to know that being a survivor isn’t a noun. It is a verb, and it’s something you choose to do every day.
I want everyone to know that it IS possible to lead a vibrant life, despite your scars, your past, and your history.
So, whether it be through sharing my favorite beauty products to reduce the overwhelm you feel while at the makeup store, a post on styling your favorite leggings three different ways, or a raw and honest post about what it’s like to feel my knee replacement start to wear out, I will be here, at Hey There, Chelsie, sharing my pursuit in living a vibrant life and to choosing to survive. Every. Dang. Day. And I’ll be here, encouraging you to do it, too.
I’d love your feedback on this new blogging identity and what kinds of posts you would like to read in the coming months!
