Okay. So I have been wanting to write this post for a very long time now but was really waiting to gather all of my thoughts first to fully be able to express the struggle as well as how I have overcame it. This all really came to fruition when my little sister came to me about starting a blog of her own. She is creative, smart and an amazing writer so it only made sense that she should. When I expressed my excitement for her she returned with.. “yea but what will everyone think.” “They are all just going to think I am copying you.” Etc.
Hearing her say that these were the things holding her back not only made me upset but also made me think back to when Kelly & I started our blog. It was definitely not easy in any sense. I was 20 and Kelly was 21 and we were each in college. Fashion Blogging was definitely something that people were doing but not as much as now. When we announced Mimosas and Manhattan we were met with a lot of mean words, and people just not understanding what it was we were trying to do. Girls from my high school in-particular (think small town Indiana) were especially not nice. There were about 50 subtweets (twitter was still a big deal @ this time) calling me an “attention seeker”, “annoying”, “a girl with really low self esteem” to just name a few. These same girls still say the exact same things to date. And to be honest it sucks. Because in no way was that the reason we started M&M. As much as I say I dont care what people think it was hard then, and it still is now to brush that all off.
When we were treading in the pool of 200 followers on Instagram and not growing and the girls that gave me weird looks when I went out to shoot outfit after outfit in college to just still have under 1,000 followers killed me. Kelly & I began to give in. We stopped the blog altogether in 2014 for 6 months. Which breaks my heart that we did to this day. We let the words of others stop us from pursing our dream.
It wasn’t until Julie Kennedy (website here) texted me the summer of (college roomie & sorority sister) and said she would help me shoot my blog outfits. SHE IS AN AMAZING PHOTOG & AN EVEN MORE AMAZING FREIND. She pushed me to get out there and not care. She was the supportive friend I needed. She understood it and was going to help us grow no matter what. That encouragement got me on the phone with Kelly who had just moved to New York City to pursue her first job and together we fought the fight and we revamped Mimosas and Manhattan & started again.
We found solitude in each other. We now had a goal, a team, and our closest friends & family believed in us. I can’t thank you all enough.
So when my little sister told me this and I remembered all of the mean words that were said behind our backs when starting Mimosas and Manhattan, I encourage every single girl/boy out there letting others stand in their way… TO TELL THEM TO EFF OFF. I have learned no matter what we do in life someone will always have something to say. Especially when you are putting yourself out there. It is hard and I know it is hard. However I know if you have the passion you will SUCCEED. And SUCCESS is the greatest form of satisfaction. If Kelly & I would have never started M&M again back in 2014 after quitting – I couldn’t imagine my life and I will continue to use the words of naysayers as fuel to be better and continue to create.
If this is currently something you are dealing with as a new blogger please reach out. You always have a team member in us.
SHOP THIS POST:
Courtney Red Pleather Skirt | Miss Pap // Courtney White Booties | Public Desire // Courtney Stripe Body Suit | Project Social Tee LA (SIMILAR HERE)
Kelly Platform Sandals | Public Desire
Yougo girls!
Literally going through exactly this! It’s so refreshing to here that others are or have been in the same boat. Thanks so much for sharing!
I couldn’t possibly be more proud of you and Kelly!! ❤️❤️
Ahhh thank you for this post! There are so many silly little soul-crushing things that totally beat me down when I try to gain momentum with my blog, and this is one of them. I hate taking pictures in public because people stare, and I haaaate the feeling of inadequacy when you’re stalking another blogger’s feed and she’s totally flawless in every way. It’s such a poisonous mindset, and I’m so glad you and Kelly found the confidence to keep blogging and doing your thang. <3
P.S. I'm looking forward to following along with your sister's blog!
Everyone goes through this, thanks for the inspiration to keep moving forward!
I’ll never understand why women can’t just support each other. I’ve been met with criticism and people not understanding why I blog. I love when I’m told “oh so it’s just for free stuff right, well that’s easy enough, anyone can do that”. I’ve learned to shrug it off though and ignore anyone who isn’t supportive.
you are both inspirational!!
This is such a great story and message! Eff the haters.
This post resonated SO much with me, especially after the launch of my blog (with my husband this weekend). I needed to read this and really feel your support (even though we haven’t even met!). Thank you for this and KEEP SHINING!