Blogging against Popularity (why I’m not famous and don’t mind it)
Around the time these photos were taken, I was approached by a couple of individuals, male and female, who called my attention out of nowhere because they had an interesting suggestion for my blog. Out of what seemed like a genuine concern to help my modest “popularity,” I listened.
They suggested I take on different models to pose either with me or instead of me in some posts. They said that this would be a great idea to get more people interested in reading my blog because people naturally want “variety.”
Without thinking too much about the suggestion (although I did ponder why they were thinking about this), I thanked them for trying to help out and let them know that this was a good thought—something that I myself have attempted to do in the past but didn’t quite pan out.
Then they continued talking.
One of them told me to get someone tall, and the other said to get someone more full figured. I am neither of those, of course.
These people aren’t strangers to me, mind you. I’ve known them for a while. I generally feel comfortable around them, except when they show how shallow they can be at times. At this point, I was feeling a bit insecure.
Thinking about how the topic was on variety, I smiled and said in response, “you mean like a Dove commercial?” The man smiled back, but I sensed that he didn’t find that kind of variety attractive, because he said nothing in response and moved on.
They both said the more people I get interested by having a variety of girls in the pictures, the more advertisers will want my blog. Sure, we all know that hype makes you popular, thus making you more desirable to companies, but something about this conversation really irked me. It wasn’t that I was to share my personal blog with other girls (I actually wouldn’t mind and like that), but it was the curious motivation behind it that bothered me.
I don’t really think primarily in terms of advertisers when I write out my posts. Sure, I do care about SEO, but I am not a walking billboard or a sellout whose goal in life is to get followers. I think people started following me in the beginning, because I was saying things so unpopular and seemingly offensive. My intentions, for those who truly know my heart, were nothing but of love of course.
I started this blog because I had a burning longing to want to express myself, my lifestyle philosophies expressed through clothing. I remembered thinking four years ago that if ALAMODEST falls on deaf ears, so be it. I’m not as loud about my ideals as I was then, but my beliefs hold true. The people who are just reading this now may not know how I used to write back then, but I highly miss it… and I’m sure some of you do too.
I know that I’m not that popular compared to other bloggers and that I don’t write posts very often (at least not on this blog), but I feel okay where I am right now. At least, I am being myself.
Sometimes being modest in popularity is a good thing. It could be negative but also could be a sign that you’re staying true to yourself and not acting just like everyone else, or how others expect you to act—even among the “indie” crowd. Wherever you are in your blog statistics or offline social status, love and embrace yourself.
THE CLOTHES
Wearing: Juil Lelo grounding/earthing boots – Anthropologie kimono – plain black top and leggings so common looking they could be from anywhere – vintage style necklace from eBay
The awesome boots I’m wearing are from a company called Juil. They are grounding shoes that are meant to connect you to the earth and give you health benefits. For those who may have never heard of grounding at all, you can read or watch a video of our review of these shoes (and more) on our other blog MODERN LIFE SURVIVALIST.
I really like the print on this kimono from Anthropologie, but alas I am selling it on my store because I think someone will love it even more. It’s brand new with tag and retails for $128. Message me or buy from my store if interested!
Have a great weekend all!
