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Ain't Nobody Got Time Fo' That!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
I love social media, I love how you can talk to and get to know people from all walks of life all over the world with common interests. I started up my blog because I was getting a bit frustrated trying to find make up that suited my skin tone, there were a fair amount of bloggers around at the time but I couldn't find many that helped me out. Back then I was relatively new to make up, and I was over the moon as I started finding and blogging about products that suited my skin tone.
What I really loved about blogging initially was the community. I mean let's face it, how many people do you know in real life that are as beauty/fashion fanatical as you? I can't speak for anyone else, but my friends were into it but nowhere near on the same level as me. So to communicate with bloggers who were just as mad about make up as I was, was fantastic!
Nowadays though, I find the scene to be completely different. There's been an explosion of bloggers meaning there are far, far many more than there was back when I started up in 2009. So getting your blog, your image or your personality out there via social media is increasingly important.
After much observation, I've noticed that competition is fierce and seemingly every other day on Twitter there are arguments between bloggers and actually it's made me feel pretty uncomfortable. I've spoken to my girl Laa Laa about this and she feels the same too, it isn't just me.
We are all entitled to our own opinions of course, and equally we are all entitled to share them. Believe me, my friends know what an opinionated person I can be! But it's a lot easier to object to something face to face than from behind a screen. In the form of texts, tweets, blog posts, emails or facebook statuses it's pretty easy to take things completely out of context as we miss out on things like tone and body language.
Something I've noticed is that constructive criticism is sometimes unwelcome, some can get quite upset over it. I struggle to understand that. The whole point of constructive criticism is to help you improve! Sure if you don't want to take it on board, fine. But to get defensive or aggressive over it, and call on your blogging clique to hop on the bandwagon is disgusting. It's bullying and it's extremely uncomfortable to watch.
This sort of thing really puts me off integrating with people on Twitter and in the blogging world. There are times I dread logging on to Twitter, half expecting to see another row erupting over nothing. I know you might say: 'Unfollow then!', but the problem is that some of these people have an amazing blog that actually adds some value to the community. Aside from the pointless arguments, I want to know what they have to say!
At the end of the day, I'd like it if bloggers just got along and sacked off the negativity. The last thing I want is for this post to be taken the wrong way, taken out of context and have people arguing with me. Equally I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but just think about it next time you see a petty squabble between two bloggers escalating into full-blown trench warfare!
I don't particularly want to argue with anyone, like the rest of the blogging world I have enough going on in my life! I'm more than happy to get into debates about anything and everything but the last thing we all need is negativity flooding your timeline just as you're getting home from work. You just want to chill out, have fun, log on to blogger or Twitter and have a good chin-wag!
I'd also like to point out that in no way is this post aimed at anyone in particular, it's just something that has been playing on my mind after years of observing. Seeing grown women (and men) arguing over silly things on Twitter is something I feel strongly against, particularly when it escalates to bullying. It's not what we got into blogging for.
Save DRAMZ for the theatre
Anyway, enough of that. I recently adopted two female kittens from a Cat Rescue Centre, I was going to take one of my mum's kittens (don't worry my mum didn't give birth to them!) but I was told that these two little girlies had lost their mother shortly after being born and it just broke my heart that they didn't have their mother during such a vital time in their lives. So I took them in, and now they have my 4 year old cat mothering them!
I was a little afraid that having three female felines in the house may result in endless fighting, but I'm happy to report that by the end of day one they were all snuggled up asleep! It was pretty incredible for that to happen as most cats wouldn't be too happy to see two younger females enter their territory, but my Baby G took them under her wing straight away.
Say hello to my lil' Wilhelmina Slater. Named her after my obsession with Ugly Betty and after she scratched me at the Rescue Centre, ha!
And this is Alisa. Named after one of my favourite songs by the band Cut Copy
Wilhelmina Slater with my Baby G. Don't they just look identical?
So if my kitties can get along, why can't we?
10 comments
Firstly I love the cats names... Is that an 'Ugly Betty' reference there?!
ReplyDeleteI was totally unaware of the bitching and warfare that goes on between bloggers! Luckily I have found myself in a community that are thoroughly complimenting and boost each others' confidence daily. I did see a post on one blog I follow by a girl called Laura (who is lovely by the way) saying that people had been telling her her blog was rubbish and petty. It really did shock me that people can be so disgustingly abusive towards others.
Sorry about the huge comment, but you've really hit a topic that I can totally agree with you on. A blog should be for the individual writing it, not for anyone else.
Katie <3
Only you lol after I found out your Wilhelmina Slater obsession, only you could go there but I love them and Baby G and Wilhelmina look so similar and Aww Alisa, so adorable. We can end up being the ladies who grow old with cats & bunnies
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Now yes the main topic is a hot one for me, exactly correct we've spoken about this and it's something that has kept me on / off Twitter for months now. The community has changed and not for the better at most times.
It's petty that people with the same interests can't get on. I've said constructive criticism is a positive, it gives others the chance to look at the point in a new light, you may not agree with it once you've looked, but respect that persons opinion and move on.
There is no need for the bullying. What annoys me is when people start the mess with ganging up on people & then act like the victim afterwards, your no victim your just a bully with people who are sheep that will baa at your command. It's unfair. Nobody is better than the next, this is meant to be a time for us to share, communicate and possibly make new friends.
It's bull when people abuse social networks cos I know for damn sure face to face, these people will NEVER be that brave. Internet Thugs!
Applaud you for this post. Loves you!
(ecig) LaaLaa xo
Hear Hear,great post! this sounds an awful lot like school?? ive seen a massive change since i started blogging also, kinda feel like some people even get into it for all the wrong reasons. i cant be doing with all these keyboard warriors. ps the kitty are just adorable! want one now!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your on twitter debates. Quite high school like to be honest and I stayed away in school, so I'm not interested in them even now. It was a real community in 2008 when I started as well. It's a bit more catty now. Having said that, it doesn't apply to all. Some very sweet ladies out there too :)
ReplyDeleteI love your cats!
Brilliant post!
ReplyDeleteThis is something that LaaLaa and I sometimes discuss too. I have not been blogging all that long (under 2 years) but when I started I was completely in the dark about how catty it can get and how bloggers are in little groups ready to kill you if you say something they dont agree with. Its ridic and completely childish. I am on twitter a lot and see somethings unfold that I just think OMG....its really all unnecessary and very sad.
Acting the victim seems to really suit certain people and it really gets to me. I could go on and on and on...but I wont.
Yr cats are simply adorable though!
xxx
I really don't use Twitter so I haven't had to see the nastiness - but you "hear" things thru other blogs and you are just like "why"? People get so brash when using social media - and are so quick to judge, when they should know not everything on the internet is what is seems. I blame all the reality shows that enforce acting like a drama queen is cool. How I wish we would all take a class on etiquette!
ReplyDeleteAnywhoo... Your cat and kitties are so, so adorable! Whilhelmina looks like she could be Baby G's for sure!
yay your kittens are SO CUTE. love them way more than all the gals battling it out on twitter, good post!xxooxoxox
ReplyDeletehttp://fashionplaytime.blogspot.co.uk/
I love the cats ! Especially Alisa, I've always had a thing for black cats ever since I was obsessed with Ancient Egypt as a child.
ReplyDeleteI've been blogging since 2009 too and have defo noticed a massive surge in other bloggers! Although I had no idea about arguments or blogger drama or anything like that which is sad just because of how much fun blogging is in general. It's nice to engage with other bloggers and go to events and meetups etc but I kind of think blogging is getting really competitive and I don't understand why?!? It's a shame to read about arguments etc when it's all just fun anyway.
ReplyDeleteAlso! You kittens are SO cute, I want one! (A kitten in general, not to steal one of yours haha!)
Saadiya xx
I so love everything about your website, I found a lot of helpful stuffs here in your blog.
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