Monday 7 July 2014

A Break From Blogging


Sitting here and opening up blogger.com feels a little bit alien.
I haven't written a proper blog post since April!!
Any of the ones that went live in May were scheduled and not 'proper' posts, and then June, well.. June was a complete no go! Zero published posts. Zero.

As much as I dislike 'blogging tips' kind of posts, the ones that lay out rules and step by step instructions on how to be a 'good' blogger.. the recurring advice that you'll always see is
a) to be yourself, and
b) don't force it
if you don't feel like blogging for a bit, then don't!

It feels much better to be writing about what you want to, because you want to, and not through some sort of forced obligation. No one will mind if you take a little time off, as long as you come back to it..  but coming back to it was the part that I struggled with. 

I stopped blogging because the final parts of university work got on top of me (March - May) and I was dedicating every second of my free time to my dissertation and then exam revision after that, and I always said that straight after my exams I'd hop straight back into blogging.. but I just couldn't seem to do it. The writer/blogger's block got too much for me so I took a major step back and I'll hand on heart say it was one of the most refreshing and beneficial things I've ever done. I actually have a post planned tomorrow; life beyond a screen, discussing how we can all become a little too wrapped up in the online world and social media especially, and how nice it is to break free and enjoy 'real life' without the worry of documenting every moment of it. 

I've always known I'd come back to Cosmetic Crave, but I didn't enjoy feeling as though I had to keep publishing new content and keeping my traffic at a reasonable level because of the advertisers that had paid to promote their blog through me, so (combined with the fact that demand has drastically declined) I'm going to temporarily suspend my blog advertisers and just blog for me

Here's what I've been up to since I last updated my blog:

- I finally finished my double dissertation and obsessed over exam revision

- I completed 3 years at university and celebrated like the wild student I once used to be
- I changed my hair and got a tattoo

- I reconnected with friends I'd once pushed away and enjoyed catch ups and nights out

- I spent quality time with my sister; lunch dates, cinema trips and spa days

- I went to Parklife festival and partied in the rain
- I went to see Jason Manford and spent time up the Lakes with my boyfriend
- I got my exam results.. 2:1 honours degree in law!! And started to prepare for my summer in America.
Life got real!!

Follow me on Instagram for more: @HannahRipley1

Also, I finished working at my part time job (now officially unemployed!) andddd..
I was shortlisted for a Cosmopolitan Award!
BEST ESTABLISHED BEAUTY BLOG
Say whaaaaaaat?!

I actually feel a bit guilty about being shortlisted after my big break, but it's amazing to know that the support is there for Cosmetic Crave and I'm very much in shock! I need to get my head around it and process that this has happened.. but if you nominated me then THANK YOU! 
http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/blogs/cosmo-blog-awards-2014/cosmo-blog-awards-2014-shortlist
THANK YOU!
Now excuse me while I go freak out on Twitter and congratulate the other nominees!

27 comments:

  1. You've had a lot going on, it sounds like loads of fun. I've been lucky in the just over two years since I've been blogging I'm experience the bloggers block but there's been times I've felt like I couldn't be bothered. Welcome back, and America! so exciting! x

    Kate | A British Sparkle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, it's like this new found freedom from finishing uni has inspired me to start doing interesting things, haha. I'd just say blog when you want to and you'll feel happier if you're not forcing it :) x

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  2. Congrats on graduating! Glad to see you back on the blog :)

    BeyondBlush

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  3. Congrats on the 2:1 in Law! I know what you mean about forcing blogging, I'm having a period of blogging loads at the moment but when I don't feel like it, I probs won't :)
    alicekatex ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! :) I'd just say embrace it while the motivation is there haha, I hope you never stop enjoying blogging though :) xxx

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  4. Glad to have you back Hannah! It's great that you took time out to think of yourself and you've clearly had lots to keep you busy :) a huge congratulations on your 2:1 in law!! And good luck for your summer in America. I can't wait to see posts about it! xx

    www.allthingsbeautiful-x.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  5. Really glad that your back and that everything went so great in your life while you weren't blogging. Sometimes it's really necessary to just take a step back and re-evaluate everything.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow you've had a good few months! Congratulations on your degree! And on being shortlisted! :)
    xxx

    www.maisymeow.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations for your degree! Glad you've had some wonderful months.
    Oh and welcome back of course! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. This was such a lovely post! Congratulations on your amazing uni result!

    Tracey
    saturdaynightgirl.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations on your Uni results Hannah! It's good to see you back! And I can't believe how alike you and your sister look!! xo

    Hannah | Glitter and Sparkle

    ReplyDelete
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Thank you all so much for visiting Cosmetic Crave, and thank you for taking the time to read and leave a comment. I read and appreciate every single comment that is left and I do try my best to reply to comments (I'll admit I'm not the best for keeping on top of this). If you leave a comment with a direct and specific question I will often use Twitter to respond to you so I know you see it.
Thanks!

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