Hello dear readers (if there are any readers left)! What happened to blogging? If only I knew. I have lost a bit my mojo I think. Also this digital life has become quite draining – I kind of feel it more and more after almost three years of freelancing and mostly working by myself from home. Don’t get me wrong, I am happy, I like what I do. But sometimes I feel like it is too repetitive, it is too superficial, it is irrelevant, boring – did I mention repetitive? Well even the words here become recurring.
Sometimes I wallow in memories and find it all quite astonishing. Not many of you will know, but I studied international business administration and economics and when I was a student social media wasn’t a thing yet. I think it was the early ages of some student networks such as early Facebook and some German counterparts that I knew as someone living and studying in Austria. Imagining a professional career in the digital world or more precisely in the sphere of social media was just unimaginable. And yet here I am, full time influencer. Oh how I despise the word. I really do. Influencer? As if I am sitting at home and making conspiratorial plans on how to influence and seduce you. You know, like buy this, buy that, add more plants (ok guilty for the latter at least).
I have consciously chosen this ‘career’ path. Do you see how I put the word career in quotation marks? Yup, because I often need to convince myself that this is my job now. That this IS a job at all. Yet I wonder: Is it really a job? Or am I just lucky to be riding the digital wave and having found my niche to make my living with it? I sometimes tend to forget the path that led me to where I am today. Years and years of non stop blogging (yes back then I blogged six times a week) and constant networking on Twitter (those were the years). And all of this I did for years in a row while also having a full time job in PR and marketing agencies (with all the glamour of piling surplus hours and shoddy pay). Those were days where I would start working at 9 am and finish at home at one or two am. Going to bed, waking up, and doing all of it again the next day. For years and years. And then I slowly managed to build my blog, my social media presence, build a community of plant lovers, write one book , then another, work on design and styling projects, give lectures, host courses and so on. And now I am a freelancer. Full time ‘influencer’. Full time working from home. Full time wondering if this is really relevant and fulfilling. Lots of full here. Repetitive and recurring.
I just reread my last paragraph and I do get the idea that this might sound a bit negative or disillusioned. But neither is true to be honest. I am happy, I like what I do, I just wonder if this is what I want to do for the next years to come. I wrote books. I did design projects. I worked as a speaker and course host. So what is next? I do not know myself but I want something new to appear on the horizon. Something that would challenge me again and encourage my creativity and knowledge. Hit me up if you have ideas:-)
In the meantime rest assured that I am happily sharing what inspires me and what keeps me going creatively – mostly on Instagram (and yes, I prefer the term inspirator over influencer). But I want to be way more active here on the blog too from now on (thanks Holly from Decor8 for constantly reminding me of blogging). It already feels more substantial writing a longer text than just a few lines of an IG caption. And whether or not anyone is reading this – it will be out there riding the digital wave and whoever surfs by, enjoy the ride and the read!
In the meantime, feel free to come and visit me on this home tour by Westwing (incl. a video tour and some plant tips) – it is the most recent tour of my Berlin apartment!
Photography by Westwing
17 Comments
Honey, I am 100% WITH YOU on that one. My sentiments entirely. I feel much the same. I hate being called an “influencer” – it was a role I pretty much walked into, I certainly never set out to do it, it was always the blogging that came first to share my journey as a stylist. And I look up and here I am! Very grateful, of course, but I’m starting to chart a slightly different course now as I think about what’s ahead. Weird times…but I’m STILL a reader of yours after all this time. And a friend too, I hope. xx
That is so wonderful Tiff!!! This means a lot!! Here’s to our ongoing friendship and to more creative projects in the future!
Happy to read your posts again.
Thank you so much!
Well said, I think the same thoughts happen in any job and after two years of pandemic life more people share the same sentiment than before. Keep writing please.
Thank you Dan! I will!
Hello Igor,
as I read your blog, I can not help but wonder whether blogging is really generating such a buzz? I am in the process to decide whether to once again sign up with Holly Beck (our mutual teacher)? I do believe that blogging can once again be big. Just do not ask me how.
Is it all really worth it? I do go over to Instagram but, mostly to consume pretty pictures and to follow a few folks who’s work and style I like. I am (still) on Facebook much more, if I am honest.
Oh yes, let’s not forget Pinterest!
Still trying to decide whether to sign up for the “Blogging Your Way Masterclass”? Hmmm
Good points Susa! I am in the same circle of thoughts about blogging. But I kinda want to rediscover it for me and hopefully for my readers. Somehow, after all those years of bite-size content on IG and so on, I feel it is time to share more thoughts, more reflections, maybe something that is simply more than a pretty pic and caption (that is mostly ignored anyway). So even if it is just for myself, to get me back into a creative loop, it is worth giving it a new try. And I think that Holly’s courses are always utterly inspiring and open up new viewpoints on blogging and social media.
PS: Your blog seems to have a glitch in the system. The sign up per Email is not working. Also signing up per Blogloving is off. Odd, but, I think you might need to know this.
Thanks for bringing this up! I will have a look into those widgets – I believe all of them are outdated by now.
I think Bloglovin just does not work anymore that well, I wonder if it ‘died’ more or less
Still here, still reading your blog, still wanting to buy more plants, haha. Yes, SO much has changed over the years! I totally get what you mean, having experienced the pre-internet era too. And working freelance from home can sometimes feels so.. meh. It’s hard to stay motivated, I find, when everything has to come from within yourself – all the time. I guess meeting up with like-minded people in person (said the introvert) is important to stay grounded and to keep inspiring eachother. New projects, interesting things to look forward to. Sending all the good vibes – and plant cuttings, should you need them 😉
Love this reply Yvonne!! Definitely I agree – working with like-minded people is crucial in staying inspired and creative. It is something I want to do more and more in the future. And plant cuttings – not even needed to discuss that, always up for that haha!
Dear Igor – Some old woman wisdom – most of us spend our lives working our way up the hill only to discover that is was a hill of you know what. I think your talent is beautiful home/lifestyle design. I think your gift is a beautiful, kind, positive nature that inspires people. That is deeper than your talent and really important in this time in history. However you express that gift is worth it .
Ohh I feel you on the inspirator/influencer term… and yet we just went on an ‘influencer’ trip because of all our hard work we on our blog over the years. I must admit I never stopped blogging, although motivation might be low sometimes… but as my visitors are quite stable, although half of what they once were, I will just go on. Because I love spreading nice things, which also was the reason to start blogging. Always have seen it as the base of my online presence…. typing this I think why do I need an online presence haha… think we all have our doubts sometimes on what we are doing here 😉
I totally agree Desiree. And I do think you are one of the fews from the ‘old team’ who still blogs most frequently. I like that!! Especially seeing how volatile and random Instagram and other social media channels are with their weird algorithms etc. The blog at least is ours and stays ours:-)
Thank you for sharing your candid thoughts about your journey in the digital world. It’s refreshing to hear someone speak so openly about the challenges and uncertainties that come with a career in social media. It’s clear that you’ve put a lot of hard work and dedication into building your blog and community, and it’s inspiring to see how far you’ve come.
I can relate to your feelings of repetition and the desire for something new and challenging. It’s a common sentiment in many fields, not just the digital one. It’s a testament to your passion and drive that you’re seeking out new ways to grow and evolve in your career.
Your love for plants and design shines through in your work, and it’s clear that you have a real talent for creating beautiful, inspiring spaces. I’m looking forward to seeing where your journey takes you next. Keep riding that digital wave!