On 10 Years of Blogging
As 2018 was drawing to a close, I found myself at a crossroads. No longer enjoying being apart of the blogging industry that I’d entered ten years ago—when I began WithLoveGabrielle.com—I was reflecting, and it was an emotional process.
“The site began as a creative outlet, a space where I could share my life’s journey and enjoy connecting with like-minded people. But over the years, the ingenuity and sincerity in blogging has gotten lost, as the industry’s evolved into an “influencer culture,” one where lives are overly curated and highly romanticized.”
At first, trying to “keep up with the Joneses,” I felt like I was trying to be accepted into some cool kids clique—a clique that I’d never been apart of in high school, and I was feeling like a failure all over again, with teenage insecurities kicking in. I began to despise the impact it was having on my life and the person I was becoming.
Over the past two years, I’ve been setting up and building TryMus Group. Its shifted my focus from blogging, and I’ve noticed how much more positive my life has become. Near the end of November, 2018, I was unsure if I wanted to continue to be a part of this blogging “culture.” That is, until I began to turn my attention away from dwelling on the negative aspects that were deterring me, and toward how I could turn these into positives. It was at this point that I began to realize the community I have built with you all, and feel grateful for the incredible people I have met along the way. So, I’ve decided that, in the same way that I started blogging back when it was a foreign concept, I can now reinvent my experience—make blogging something I’m passionate all over again, by continuing to share, connect, and most importantly be transparent with you.
WLG has grown into more than the passion project that it began as—it is my life story, unfolding over thousands of articles. It has shaped me, forced me to make choices I never thought I would. What’s more, it is a constant in my life, which has, at times, felt temporary. Like a diary.
“It has helped me face my insecurities in my early 20s, and my need for validation in my late 20s. At first, I wanted to fit into my own life, and then I wanted to be accepted into an industry. ”
Having overcome both, I now want to share what I’ve learned, and what I continue to. Perhaps this shift comes with turning 30, as I seek meaning in my life, rather than instant gratifications. As I pursue my passions and dreams, I’d like to take you along for the ride.
At times I’ve wished this journey was a little less lonely, and I hope my experiences will offer you that comfort of knowing you are not alone. At first, being an outlier made me feel ashamed and now I look at it as a blessing.
I believe that every person has the ability and capacity to live the life and have the career that they’ve always wanted. Having faith and a little encouragement helps along the way.
This is why I’ve decided to re-launch WithLoveGabrielle.com, for dreamers, schemers, thinkers and makers! Three times a week—Monday, Wednesday and Friday—let’s share our journeys to creating a life that makes us excited to wake up in the morning. This is for you, who look up at the stars and dream; then wake up in the morning and turn those dreams into a reality.
With Love…
Marta