Happy Wednesday, friends! I hope you have a large cup of coffee (or whatever your preferred beverage is) in hand and ready to conquer the day! Today, I wanted to take a break from my regularly scheduled content to zone in and have a heart-to-heart with all of you. I hope that’s okay. 🙂 After all, these are some of my favorite posts to write and have conversation about with you all.
Since I had my most recent reader survey go live last Wednesday and since my 3rd Blogiversary is coming up in July, I figured now is an appropriate time to dive in and share my heart with you all. It’s really important to me that all of you know and understand in full why I blog – my focus, my heart, and my mission.
Just over a year ago, I shared a post all about why I finally decided to pursue blogging seriously. What did I mean by “seriously”? I meant that I wasn’t set out to be just a hobby blogger anymore. I wanted to pursue blogging as a career for a number of different reasons. Even when I decided this, I still had another job at the time.
Ever since my husband and I moved in March, I have been so blessed to be able to focus on my blog full time. I’m completely full time with my blog right now, and while I’m not making a full time income off of it (yet), I am extremely proud of what I’m accomplishing so far and what I have set for goals.
So, let’s backtrack and get to the heart of this post – why I blog.
– WHY I BLOG: MY FOCUS –
When I first started blogging, I didn’t have a set focus or “niche” at all. I literally just posted whatever I wanted and my content was never longer than 300 words. I would share a devotional or what I did over the weekend – I didn’t have any direction. After a year of working out the kinks and figuring out about what I was passionate about writing about, I decided to hone in on my focus.
Honing in on my focus took way longer than I thought. After much thought, prayer, and help from all of you in past reader surveys, I finally felt secure about what I should be writing about. When did I find this security? At the end of 2016. Yes, it wasn’t that long ago, and I think that’s okay.
Coffee With Summer is an intentional life & style blog. Here, I post about 3 main topics: self-care, style, and social. Let me break these main topics down for you.
Self-Care // I am hugely passionate about self-care and encouraging others to take up the practice of self-care in their lives. Self-care is not optional, and it shouldn’t be for anyone. In the category of self-care you’ll find posts on prioritizing self-care all the way to ways you can encourage yourself.
Style // While I am not a fashionista, I enjoy creating a wardrobe that is simple and versatile. When it comes to style, I will always be a lady who’s focused on items that are comfortable, classy, and purposeful. I love being able to share tips on how to style items, as well as tips on how to find steals of deals.
Social // One of my greatest passions that I have found through blogging has been my heart for helping other bloggers and social media influencers. “Social” is my category for blogging and social media tips. I love providing tons of actionable information and tips about being successful at blogging and social media.
On top of those 3 main topics, the main tone I want to get across in all of my content is intentionality.
– WHY I BLOG: MY HEART –
The main reason why I started a blog was because I desired community. I wanted a place to share my words and experiences, but also a space where I could learn from others.
Blogging is one of the greatest forms of communication I have grown to learn, and I’m so thankful for it. Blogging has gotten me through some of my toughest seasons. From sharing my heart and having deep conversations with some of you in the comments section to forming amazing friendships with other bloggers, blogging has been such a joy in my life.
REGARDING SPONSORED CONTENT…
Friends, blogging is my job. It is my profession. Guess what? I don’t make money if I don’t take on sponsored work. Point blank period. While blogging is my source of income, please know that everything I share that’s sponsored is 100% authentic and real. I only share brands and products with you that I already love, believe in, and support completely.
I can 100% assure that any sponsored content you see here at Coffee With Summer or on my social media channels is completely genuine. If something ever seems inauthentic to you, I’d love for you to reach out to me privately about it via email. I love having conversations and being able to educate others on how much goes into sponsored content. It’s not easy. It’s work.
So, the next time you decide you want to judge me or try to shame me through my anonymous reader surveys, I dare you to actually come to me and have a real, human person-to-person conversation about it.
Yes, I am saying this with a tiny bit of sass, because I’m done with others looking down on blogging as a profession. If you don’t have the guts to have a grown-up conversation with me about something and you just want to shame me through an anonymous form, then you should probably just reevaluate your heart… I’m saying this in love. Tough love. 😉
Also, be sure to read this post: To Those Who Get Annoyed When Bloggers Share Sponsored Content
REGARDING MY FAITH & MY CONTENT…
Yes, I am a Christian. Yes, I am still a Christian even if my blog’s focus isn’t faith-focused. It’s sad the number of times I’ve received shameful comments in my reader surveys from those of you who are supposed to be brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe that I’m called to be a light through my lifestyle, which is why I aim to lead a life of authenticity, grace, and truth. I think that bloggers who write about faith all of the time are awesome. We need bloggers like that! But if a Christian who blogs (like me) doesn’t share about their faith constantly, you should not dare think less of them or try to tear them down because of it. Let’s all respect and love each other! C’mon, be the example that Jesus wants us to be.
– WHY I BLOG: MY MISSION –
My ultimate mission with blogging is to encourage others to take up and live out a life of authenticity. I want to encourage others to learn that it’s okay to share the unfiltered moments of life. I want to help others to know that it’s okay to be vulnerable and raw, in the good and the bad.
I want Coffee With Summer to be a community that thrives and uplifts, no matter the conversation. I will always keep things raw and real – never sugarcoated. I like to get into the nitty gritty of living and have the hard conversations that most people stray away from. I believe that when you speak honestly about the joyful and the tough moments in life that you’ll experience a freeness that’ll urge you to share openly even more. I want Coffee With Summer to be a safe place for others to learn, grow, and connect.
So, I think that’s a wrap for now. I feel better after writing this. Again, it’s important to me that all of you know where I began and why I’m blogging. Thank you for all of your support and for cheering me on. It means so much. I have no words! If you have questions for me, leave them below!
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