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Heart-To-Heart

peexo 2016 priorities
This post started out as my 5 blogging goals for 2016, but as I began writing I felt as if I needed to explain myself or justify what I'm doing/want to do which wasn't what I had in mind at all, so instead I'm going for a more personal approach with this post and just basically writing, writing my thoughts and feelings towards the year that's been, and what's to come.

I gave myself a little bit of a break, only a couple of days which isn't really anything major but I pride myself in being organised and sticking to some sort of schedule and ever since I decided to start publishing a blog post every weekday any time I miss a day I feel an instant wave of regret, although I don't think anybody else really notices - or cares - but me. 


Creativity

Often I feel I lack creativity in my posts, like something is missing, and despite being happier with my posts in general I know my blog isn't where I would like it to be. I almost feel restricted when it comes to blogging personal style because I'm at a point where anything I write about other than what I'm wearing just isn't as popular which is disheartening and basically stops me from writing about anything else I may like because this fear of falling numbers is always present in my mind. I really want my little space on the internet to expand and allow me to share more of my interests and not just the clothes I'm wearing. A lot of bloggers I love do this through their writing but I'm not a great writer and often struggle with coming up with ideas of what to write in blog posts anyway, I would happily just post my outfit and that's that but there's no personality in that.

Basically, I just want to work on content and being able to produce blog posts I'm proud of in a range of different categories, yes I love clothes and wear them everyday but I also love beauty products, and food, and travelling to different destinations which I don't think is portrayed enough on here and it's something I really want to do more of. But I think in order to make Peexo a more inclusive blog I need to up my creativity which is definitely something I want to work on this year.

I also want to get those creative juices flowing in my videos too, towards the end of the year I finally had the time to go on location again and film a lookbook - my Autumn lookbook - which was one of my favourites! I worked really hard editing and creating something I was proud of and I loved the results; that's what I want to do more of this year, work on putting out content that I'm really proud of and not just uploading every week because of a schedule I've created for myself. There are still other videos I want to upload like chatty hauls which I love watching but although I could sit and talk about what I buy for hours, I don't have two softbox lights, a microphone and a ring light to do this as well as others do (I feel the YouTube game is seriously strong! It's so competitive that anything lower than perfect just won't do).


Time (or lack of)

I think I really over-worked myself over the Christmas break and I don't think I would have realised it if I weren't living abroad. I only had a two week break over the festive period which is very different to university back home where I get a full month to catch up and just be home. So this year it was a bit of shock when I only had two weeks in London and basically those two weeks revolved around my blog and what I needed to get done before Christmas, what I needed to do before NYE and what I needed to plan for the next couple of months whilst I'm away. I'm sure you can imagine it's just so time-consuming. There's so much work that goes on behind the scenes of a blog post which isn't as glamorous as you may think when you first lay eyes on a blogger. I spent my time in London worrying about blogging and getting things done, rather than spending quality time with my friends and family. I'll spend even more time editing videos and photos, writing blog posts, and it's just so much to set yourself when you're balancing full-time education, not to mention living in a completely new country too!

I feel like this is sounding a bit like a rant but that's not my intention, I just feel that often when you see the pretty pictures you don't really think about what goes on in the background or how much work goes into a blog post before you even set eyes on it. And that's not to say I don't love what I'm doing, I absolutely love shooting for my blog, planning outfits and then editing photos which I'm really proud of - it's really gratifying - but also time-consuming, and time is something I have less of now. Basically, I need to prioritise other things. I just need to have a bit of a re-think and set out my priorities straight.


What I want

Last year was a bit of a rocky year I think, I can't quite get my head around it. I definitely wouldn't say 2015 was amazing but I also wouldn't say it was terrible, it was just meh you know? It's been and gone. I'm somewhat pleased to have a fresh start this year although I know I'll probably be the exact same and my bad habits are likely to stick around but you know, positive thinking and all that.

Finally, I'm going to end this rambly post with what I want in 2016. I'm not going to make it about numbers or blogging resolutions or anything like that - I'm sure I'll have some of those sooner or later but for now I want to switch off a bit from the boring side of blogging - instead, I want to focus on the present. So I'll probably be posting a little less, the organisation freak in the back of my mind is saying at least three times a week but no promises; I've deliberately posted this on a random day just for piece of mind really, so I think hey, it's ok to post whenever I want to post. I guess because I set myself the goal of posting every weekday I don't want to see all that hard work I've put in go to waste by slowing down, but I just can't keep up with the pace at the moment as well as having a life outside of blogging...

A huge thank you to you for following along my journey so far, whether it's been for a month or for a year - I really do appreciate it - wishing you all the best in 2016 and hoping you'll stick around to see what happens throughout the year!

P.S. What do you think of my new blog design?!

12 comments

  1. I totally feel you when it comes to trying to make more time for yourself. I constantly feel like I have something to do and if I'm taking time out to myself, I'm constantly thinking of all the things I should be doing! I'm going to try and stress less this year too. If it's any consolation I love posts like this - heart to heart posts with lots of writing and your own thoughts. I hope to see more of them on our blog (though I love your outfit posts too!) xx

    Jessie | allthingsbeautiful-x

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    1. That's so lovely to hear Jessie, thank you! Sometimes you sort of need to take a step back and just remember what's important but it can be so hard as blogging/social media can sort of takeover your life! My outfit posts won't ever stop as they're something I really love but hopefully I'll be able to incorporate new aspects too X

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  2. I believe posting less is not a bad thing. Quality content is more important.
    I post once a week (every Monday).
    Hope 2016 is a great year for you, Patricia.
    Sending you support! (followed on Bloglovin).
    x
    Stella from a Looks & Travels

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    1. Definitely agree! It's just hard to tone down something I've worked so hard on achieving, I don't want it all to go to waste if you know what I mean - thank you Stella! I hope it's a great year for you too X

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  3. Your post is so similar to how i feel, but at the end of the day its your blog, its your "brand" posting what you love is whats going to make you and your blog grow! Numbers may fall yes because its something new but the more you do it the more people will adjust and grow to love it. I think a lot of bloggers think too hard finding the perfect background, on trend pieces, perfect spots, when it should just be a natural setting, (of course you need to plan when, area etc ) but don't let it stress you! As for youtube sit a talk forever if thats what you want to do. Iv just started my channel, Im proud of what I'm putting up although i know i can do better but now iv started i know where to improve can only get better! I have lights but no microphone but i said 2016 i was going to start and i did regardless, Im not telling you what to do but for me it was priorities, do i need the £40 topshop jeans or do i add an extra £10 and invest in light boxes, do i need that £20 takeaway or do i buy a microphone etc. Do what you love doing don't hold back for views. I loved this post its personal and thoughtful, you didn't need to plan an outfit to do it. Xx ( LONG ASS ESSAY SORRY!

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    1. Lovely to read this Sharaye! It can be so consuming sometimes but I completely agree with you, it's so important to stay true to yourself and although some people may not like to see new aspects, it's something I personally like and that will hopefully attract new people to my blog that will enjoy the varied content. It can be daunting particularly when you're just trying to establish yourself to change but I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end. There's always room for improvement, and good on you for prioritising (I probably would've got the jeans haha!) X

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  4. Your layout is really nice! I can completely relate to what you're saying. I had made it my goal to post every weekday, but with everything else I have going on, it can be really exhausting. I too think it's really nice to have a schedule for posting, but haven't quite figured out what the best schedule is for me and my blog. I was considering changing to 3 or 4 days a week and see how that goes for me. I actually skipped today on purpose just so I could organize my thoughts! I hope that you are able to find what works best for you, and feel free to share any tips with me! Thank you!
    xo dré

    www.flightoffeather.com

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    1. Thank you, pleased you like it! I think it's really rewarding when you can stick to a goal and see good things coming from it but it's also very hard to do especially when you're faced with other priorities. I'm hoping to do 3 posts a week - sometimes more, sometimes less. I just want to go with the flow a little more X

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  5. thank you for sharing! I'm a masters student with a full time job, so it is becoming harder to post more frequently! i love all your post btw!
    killthemwithchic.com

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    1. Wow! It must be incredibly hard to balance so much; thank you! X

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  6. Great post that sums up many of my feelings! I often read your blog and think 'how does she post every weekday?' because I've been a student (and an Erasmus one too) and couldn't have fitted it in. Now working at Missguided and definitely couldn't do it every day. I've managed to teach myself that less is more and it's much more enjoyable so if posting less is your plan then you should really feel the benefits xx

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    1. I just used to shoot loads in advance, any spare moment I had really and just ended up without much of a life outside blogging. I've started posting less and definitely feel more relaxed about it, just don't want all the hard work to go to waste - or for it to appear that I'm not working as hard so I don't enjoy/want to blog but hopefully that won't come across with better quality content. Thanks for your comment lovely! X

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