Six Foot Style
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • SHOP
  • FOLLOW
    • INSTAGRAM
    • FACEBOOK
    • TWITTER
    • PINTEREST
    • GOOGLE+
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Me
  • SHOP
  • FOLLOW
    • INSTAGRAM
    • FACEBOOK
    • TWITTER
    • PINTEREST
    • GOOGLE+
  • Contact

WHY I AM TAKING A BREAK

1/29/2017

19 Comments

 
Hi lovelies!

A year ago, I started Six Foot Style and recently took some time to reflect on the last year, how I’m feeling and where I see SFS going in the year ahead.  After a lot of thought and consideration, I have decided to take the month of February off from the blog.

I’ll be honest here, and completely candid with you guys … on both sides of the spectrum. This is a longer post, so stick with me.  I've added some funny candid photos mixed in from my last year of blogging for entertainment value! 

THE FUN STUFF

Picture
Meeting Candice and the entire Long Tall Sally team has been such a lovely experience for me.
It’s been a great year.  I’ve met some wonderful people, connected with other fabulous bloggers, had the opportunity to discover and work with so many amazing companies.  And perhaps most important, I have been able to share my sense of style with a unique community of supportive and receptive people.

​
I can’t tell you how much each comment, like, repost, direct message, everything means to me.  That’s what has made this year, and the blogging experience in general, worth it for me.  Making meaningful connections with truly inspiring and incredible people.

THE SHITTY STUFF (AND A HEAVY DOSE OF TRUTH)

Blogging is a lot of work with often little reward.  I don’t have a paid team behind me taking photos, editing, updating my website, creating and sending weekly emails, posting daily updates on social media pages, etc. … my team is me and my husband.

It’s a huge time commitment.  If you’re familiar with my blog, you know that I have a full-time job and lots of obligations that keep me busy during the week.  So, Six Foot Style is a weekend activity that I squeeze in between a seemingly endless list of to-do’s.  This leaves little room for error, and has led to some tense moments between my husband and me over the last year.  When photo shoots don’t work out as planned, or something comes up and I’m frantically trying to meet commitments I’ve arranged with a company, I become a stressed out maniac.  Not fun for anyone.
Picture
Husband: "What's happening with your face, try to look natural" ... this isn't natural?
There’s also a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.  When I partner with a company for a blog post or review, there are usually dozens of emails back and forth with product requests, shipment information, returns for alternate sizing, and so forth.  And I’ll be real here … I don’t have a flood of emails sitting in my inbox from designers and companies that are dying for me to wear their clothing.  Most of my partnerships over the last year have come-to-be as a result of my outreach to a particular company.  Which takes work to successfully pitch and convince a brand that I am worthy of wearing their clothing and writing about their brand.

You’ve all probably seen Instagram fashionistas with tens of thousands of followers, but please know that there’s usually a team of people behind these women serving as the face of their brand.  And a lot of women have been able to successfully make blogging their full-time job, spending 40+ hours a week.  That just isn’t the case for me.

Picture
Lauren: 1 Goose: 0
Musing on that same theme, here’s a news flash … I’m not a model.  I wish that I woke up looking like Gigi Hadid, but the reality is that it takes time for me to do my hair and makeup before each photo shoot.  And my prep before a photo shoot is not as extensive as some other bloggers I know.  I am not putting in hair extensions, applying fake eyelashes, or anything like that.  How you see me in my photos is actually what I look like in real life.  Anyway, since I haven’t ever modeled before, when the camera starts flashing, it takes me quite a while to hit a comfortable niche and actually strike a moderately reasonable pose.  Sensing a trend here … more time.

I make zero money from blogging. Here’s a little nugget of truth about blogging … brands want to partner with influencers who have lots of followers.  And LOTS of bloggers pay to play this game.  There are tons of companies that, for a minimal investment will like, comment, basically be a robot for your Instagram page in order to grow your following.  I personally know bloggers who have paid for followers.  I refuse to do this, it feels weird to me.  It doesn’t bother me that others are, but it’s just not for me.  So every single one of my followers is earned and that takes consistent posting of relevant material and lots of prayers that everyone keeps coming back week after week and showing love on my pages.
Picture
No glam squad here ... just a girl and the closest glass building facade that can be used as a mirror between shots.
I’ve thought about joining Reward Style which you all know (or should get to know).  You’ve probably clicked on links to products from blog posts and watched your web browser quickly go to rstyle.com then seamlessly forward to a product page.  That blogger gets paid if you purchase that product.  And rightfully so, they’ve influenced your purchase, and should be rewarded for that.  However for me, I just never set out to make money off of my blog.  I wanted to create a place for women to find inspiration and ideas for upping their workwear game.  It’s my hope that Six Foot Style has become this place.

Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I wish that I was making some money … just enough to pay for someone to do my hair and makeup before each photo shoot.  To pay a photographer so my husband isn’t forced outside in the dead of winter to snap photos during his precious weekend time.  But maybe in 2017 right?
Picture
This is how cold I was on a recent shoot ... I can't imagine how my husband tolerates my insanity.
There are a ton of fashion bloggers out there.  Lately I’ve been feeling defeated + deflated and find myself thinking I can’t provide something that a million other women aren’t already doing on Instagram.  There’s lots of tall bloggers, loads of work wear bloggers, and a seemingly endless number of fashion bloggers.  While I know that none of them are me, and my aesthetic and style is unique to truly only me, it feels overwhelming at times.  And competitive.  I see myself comparing my blog to others, and I become disappointed when I’m not as successful as others (I’m a former college athlete so competitiveness courses my veins).  I can’t figure out how to not feel like that.

So, with all of that being said, I have decided to take a month off from blogging.  I am a bit burned out, and need to step away from Six Foot Style for a hot minute.  I am not sure what the future holds for the blog … but I’ll be sure to keep y’all updated.  During the month, I'll also be doing a digital detox which I've posted about on the Tall Guides website. 

Thanks for reading this post (I didn’t mean for it to be so sad), I just wanted everyone to know where I’m really at.  One of my New Year’s resolutions was to be more honest and open up more … lift the “perfection” mask and image that I find myself always putting on.  So this is real.  This is me.
Picture
19 Comments
Lu link
1/30/2017 10:25:08 am

I will be counting down through February! For the record, I have considered Six Foot Style (amongst few others) to be the gold standard in tall blogger content. I hope you enjoy the digital detox and I am excited to see what you come back with!

Reply
Lauren link
1/31/2017 09:19:24 am

Lu,

Thank you for your incredibly kind comment. I appreciate every word and your continued support! I will be sure to report back after the digital detox with my thoughts on how it went, and hopefully a flurry of new content.

Be Well,
Lauren

Reply
Sara Orritt link
1/30/2017 12:14:50 pm

Such a lot of truth in this post. I've been blogging for a few years and I used to feel pressure to post every week - as someone who self-shoots this was not easy! I learned to be ok with just posting when I felt like it or when a great idea hit me. I also found that I was ok with branching out to other topics beyond Fashion if I wasn't feeling particularly great about being on camera that week. My advice would be to do what you love, and don't beat yourself up if you take a week or more off at a time. The people who enjoy reading your blog will still be there when you get back to it. Have a great break, and may I just say... Love the blog :)

Reply
Lauren link
1/31/2017 09:25:08 am

Sara,

First off ... I adore how you spell your name. My beautiful sister-in-law spells it the same way, and I haven't met anyone else besides her who has that spelling.

Thank you for your advice. You are 100% correct ... and I am hoping that my month away from the blog, coupled with a digital detox, will allow me to brainstorm how I would like to continue SFS, and how I can make it work in my life. I love the idea of branching out into some new topics, and not being as strict with posting every week. Thank you for sharing your journey with me, it means a lot.

XX,
Lauren

Reply
Kacy link
1/30/2017 06:09:45 pm

Lauren,

You've done marvelously in the past year! It's a tough game, and a game that's really crowded, but I hope you'll
come back to it...you have such a unique POV and are so beloved by so many tall readers (including me!) If you ever need to vent, please reach out! (I can share some good stories too about some of the frustrations)...

xoxo Kacy

Reply
Lauren link
1/31/2017 09:32:26 am

Thank you Kacy. And I am sending you a huge virtual hug for chatting with me last evening. I can't tell you how much your support and encouragement means to me. The best part of blogging has been meeting and connecting with other tall women (like you) from all over the world. Our tall community has such a wonderful and unique perspective ... it's truly lovely. I am confident that a month away from SFS, along with a digital detox will leave me refreshed and energized. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

XX,
Lauren

Reply
Nichole link
1/31/2017 12:16:41 am

Lauren,
I totally appreciate your honesty. It's refreshing actually. I have been feeling some of the same feelings. Sometimes blogging feels like a popularity contest to me and I kind of hate how everything depends on how many followers you have. I have considered stopping as well, but I think the only thing keeping me going is the friends I've made and connected with. I also love your blog, and will miss it, but I hope you have a nice break!

Reply
Lauren link
1/31/2017 09:41:31 am

Nichole,

I really appreciate your sincere comment, and I completely agree ... I often find myself feeling like I am in a popularity contest. I'm hopeful that this time off will help me get back to why I started SFS in the first place, and allow me to re-group. I love that you and Abby have become so close, and that you both are able to take photos of each other. I am hoping to find someone local as well that I can partner up with, like you both have, and I am sure that has made the whole blogging experience much more fun for you ladies.

XX,
Lauren

Reply
Caroline link
1/31/2017 10:42:10 am

Hi Lauren,

Thank you so much for this honest post! I read through every single word you wrote, nodding. I totally understand what you say. Blogging is fun but mostly, it's a lot of work. Besides, doing it next to a full-time job, other projects and social responsibilities, it just becomes overwhelming. I also feel the pressure to blog every week and come up with something new and refreshing, but sometimes, life just gets in the way and I had to learn in the past months that I have to be ok with that and not put myself under constant pressure.

I do love your blog so much. I think all your readers appreciate the high quality and the love and energy you put into it!

Enjoy your well-deserved break as long as you need it! I will be there any time you share with us your beautiful Six Foot Style :-)

All the best,
Caroline

Reply
Lauren link
1/31/2017 12:35:42 pm

Hi Caroline,

Thank you so very much for your lovely comments! I am so glad that you've found a way to make your blog work into your personal life ... and I am hopeful that my month away from SFS will allow me to do the same.

You are completely correct ... sometimes life does just get in the way, and I am going to try and do a much better job of just accepting that, and pushing a blog post if needed in order to make time for the stuff that really matters (family, friends, etc.).

Thank you again for all of the love and support. You are simply the best!

XX,
Lauren

Reply
Beth @ Tall Fashion Adventures link
1/31/2017 03:46:32 pm

Hi Lauren - Thank you so much for writing such an honest and open piece. It really resonated with me. I must say that I have been so impressed by the level of professionalism that you have exhibited on your website over the past year all the while juggling a demanding career and all of your other commitments. Your content is interesting, original and fun, and I can tell that you put a lot of time and effort into your posts, social media etc. I am excited about the various brands that you've introduced me to (my White Rabbit bra just arrived today...so in love!) and I find myself looking forward to your posts.

I completely understand you wanting/needing a break and I fully support this. As you may have noticed, I do this from time to time as well. Blogging and the corresponding social media management can become very demanding and all consuming (at least for me) and sometimes a step back is in order.

By the way, I've never made money off my blog either. I do it purely for fun. Sure...I sometimes am offered free products to review but creating reviews takes a lot of work in and of itself as you pointed out so free items do come with a price. I have also felt a bit competitive about blogging on occasion and have thought about giving it up all together but in recent months I have decided to just take the pressure and expecations off of myself (easier said than done), blog if/when I can, have fun with it, hope that my content is helping my readers in some way and call it good. I know that you'll find your ideal balance too!

OK...I think I'll end this novel of a comment that I'm writing now. :) Just want you to know that you'v been a bright spot in the tall blogosphere for me this year and you are a very valued member of the tall blogging community.

Big hugs,
Beth

P.S. I loved all the photos in this post!!
P.P.S. I totally relate to the tense moments with the husband re bloggy things bit!

Reply
Lauren link
1/31/2017 04:14:53 pm

Beth - my beautiful blogging friend who has been so sweet to me from day one ... I cannot thank you enough for your sincere comment above. This post felt incredibly vulnerable for me, so I appreciate your kind words.

I have noticed that you take breaks from time to time with TFA, and I was actually commenting about your specific blog with my husband last night. From afar, I can see that you're really enjoying your "free time" and blogging when you can, and it makes each post that much more special! Knowing that your content is fun and your photos are breathtaking, I look forward to new posts on your site! And the rate that you're posting is refreshing and valuable.

It seems like you've been able to find a balance, and I am hopeful that this time away from SFS, coupled with a digital detox will allow me to do the same. To forget the competitiveness, and find a way to make blogging a part of my life when I have the time for it, and not a part of my life when I don't. Like you said, remove the expectations and take off the pressure. Make this fun again.

Sending you a huge hug from across the pond. Thank you for everything!

XX,
Lauren

P.S. I hope you enjoy your new White Rabbit bra!
P.P.S. Our husbands are such good sports haha!

Reply
Gemma link
2/20/2017 01:29:02 pm

Hi Lauren, Sorry it's taken me a while to comment on this post. I hope you are having a nice break! We all sometimes need to switch off and I hope that this is helping you decide what to do. I can certainly relate to a lot of the issues you raised in this post. I hope you continue to share your style as I for one really enjoy seeing your outfits.

Gemma x

Reply
Lauren link
2/21/2017 11:09:02 am

Hi Gemma,

Thank you so much for your very kind comment. Having this month off to mentally regroup has been lovely, and I'm looking forward to sharing new content soon. I am continuously in awe of how often you post ... I don't know how you find the time!

XX,
Lauren

Reply
Gemma link
2/21/2017 11:21:00 am

Thanks Lauren, thats really great to hear! I'm loving forward to seeing your new content soon. Honestly I'm not sure how I do either haha it can be exhausting at times but it helps that I'm home a lot! I have recently adjusted my posting times and am posting less than usual. Have a lovely day. Gemma x

Sallee link
3/29/2017 07:47:38 pm

Hey Lauren, I've been meaning to comment on how much I love the authenticity and honesty in this post. I can certainly relate to it. I am so glad that you're back and re-energised. I love your blog and I'd like to say a big THANK YOU for all you do at Tall Guides. Sallee x

Reply
Lauren link
4/19/2017 09:03:01 am

Thanks Sallee,

I appreciate your sweet words, and all that you do to unite the tall community worldwide. Finding women like myself, and a community to collaborate in, is what started me on this journey. It's been so wonderful to take a step back, refresh and remind myself of these goals. This process has enabled me to meet so many wonderful women (like yourself), and that's what means the most!

XX,
Lauren

Reply
Aimee link
4/19/2017 08:53:20 am

Beautifully written. I've only been at this blogging thing for 6 months and I have felt all those emotions and frustrations! Every once in awhile I have to reread my about me page to remind myself what and why I'm doing. It's so easy to get caught in the race. I have a corporate race I'm already running and as a mom and wife I have more important things to balance. Finding that center is hard though. So glad to see you back after the break.

Reply
Lauren link
4/19/2017 09:04:35 am

Hi Aimee,

Thank you so much for your comment! I couldn't agree with your sentiments more! It can totally become a juggling act at times, and you're left wondering which of the balls has to drop in order for you to take care of everything else. I admire what you're doing, and commend you on being able to manage it all.

XX,
Lauren

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Sourcing + curating stylish work wear for chic, polished, professional and classy ladies everywhere ... thanks for following along!

    Archives

    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed



Work wear, corporate styles and and business fashions for chic + corporate women. 

✕