Blogging changed MY life

That is quite a powerful statement. Blogging Changed MY life.

Really? How?

If you are a long time reader of my blog, you will know that I started blogging two and a half years ago. How and why did this come about?

Well I was lucky enough to meet three plus size ladies at a clothing swap nearly four years ago. I was in a pretty poor place at the time and they opened my eyes to a plus size world  I had no idea existed.

Me about 6 years ago

When they mentioned they were bloggers, I didn’t even know what a blog was. Literally I was clueless.  If you have no idea what I am talking about either, basically a blog is an online “diary” of sorts. You write about whatever takes your fancy such as clothing, a vintage life or even recipes.

These ladies explained that they were part of a huge plus size community; women who wrote about their lives, clothes, style and reviewed products from plus size companies. Companies I didn’t even know existed.

I started reading their blogs, which in turn allowed me to find other bloggers and I loved reading what they had to say. I could see what something looked like on a person who was similar to me!

These wonderful ladies encouraged me to start my own blog. But I resisted it for quite a long while at first. I didn’t think I had anything of interest to say. I didn’t think anyone would want to read what I had to say.

But I have always loved to write. And eventually the desire to do so took over my lack of confidence. I started small, choosing my name; Secret Plus Size Goddess. Then I joined Blogger which is a platform that allows you to write your diary and post it to the web.

Then came the day I actually jumped in with both feet and wrote a little post.

When I first started writing I wrote one blog every five or six weeks. Then it became once fortnight. Then once a week. Currently I now write and publish three to four posts a week! My blog grew so well that I ended up having to launch my own website.

Most bloggers tend to stick to one “genre”. This could be fashion, travel, cooking, beauty; whatever they are passionate about. I am passionate about the process of writing so I write about everything.

This makes me a little different to others bloggers. I might be reviewing an article of clothing or having an adventure. I could be talking about a new restaurant or a vintage tea dance. Whatever takes my fancy. This makes me stand out a little from others, because I can’t be pigeonholed into one particular topic. It also widens my readership because different people want to read me for different reasons.

My first Photoshoot – photography by Chiara Aprea

But how has blogging really changed my life? In several ways actually.

Firstly my clothing style has changed. Whereas I used to live in jeans and t-shirts, hating what I looked like, I now wear vintage style clothing constantly. I don’t own anything even vaguely “normal” now. It is a common sight to see me in petticoats, turbans and swinging a vintage bag!

A Visit to Kew

Lucy Louella Designed

Through this my confidence has blossomed. Whereas I wouldn’t even get up in front of a crowd at a party for a dance, I am now fearless. People’s opinions do not faze me. I know I dress in a different style which makes me stand out but I am confident in me and I love how I look now.

I have met so many wonderful new friends, both from the plus size community and the vintage community. I have attended meet-ups in different parts of the Country. I have made life-long friends because I write.

The Marvellettes

The simple act of blogging has brought me many opportunities. Ones that would never ever been possible without the medium of blogging.

This 43 year old plus size short woman has modelled for two clothing companies and I took part in some Catwalk modelling too.

StyleXL 2015 – Walking for Apples and Pears Clothing

I have travelled with Boo, my blogger friend to Warsaw, Budapest and Prague. We have already booked Eurodisney for this year, and Germany and Spain are possibly on the cards too.

One of my highlights is learning to Jive which in turn encouraged me to get even more involved in the vintage scene.

Going to Twinwood with vintage ladies that I had never met in person.  Dancing with strangers and having a wonderful time.

The Twinwood Ladies

Travelling to Poland and taking  part in a lingerie photo shoot, ending up with a bra being named after me.

Photoshoot for Eva Michalak Lingerie

One of the most amazing things that I have achieved is winning three national awards for my writing. Where I once thought I was not good enough to write, now I have been recognised for it. This takes my breath away.

Most Inspiring Blogger 2017 – I was gobsmacked!

Taking part in a vintage calendar, being photographed in a Hollywood style black and white pose all whilst raising money for a worthwhile charity.

The Most Marvellous Vintage Calendar – Photo courtesy of Ticketyboo Photography

I have been very fortunate to review some beautiful clothing, enabling other plus size ladies and vintage lovers to see how they could possibly look and why the vintage style works for all shapes and sizes.

And of course I have written articles for Vintage Life Magazine. None of that would have been possible if I hadn’t started writing my blog.

My First Published Article in Vintage Life Magazine

My blog that I didn’t think anyone would want to read currently gets around 6,500 reads a month.

For me that is mind-blowing. I can even see what Countries people are reading me from. It is quite surreal to think of people as far apart as Haiti, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea and even Nicaragua read what I have to say. It is both humbling and exciting when you look on a map and see how far your writing has made it.

Everywhere in Blue means I have had at least one viewer in that Country. There isn’t much left to get coloured in!

Globetrotting

I won’t lie though. It isn’t easy. I work full time and have a family. Yet my blogging is a time consuming hobby. You have to promote your writing to get people to read you. I currently spend around 20 to 30 hours a week writing, taking pictures, posting and promoting. Yes, it is hard work but because I have that passion I schedule the time in.

I get organised and use a planner to work out what I am going to write about and usually have between 8 to 14 posts scheduled to go at any one time. You have to dedicate yourself to it. Like they say “Anything worth doing, is worth doing well”

So literally my blog has changed me. I have a lust for life now that I never had. I relish each and every day and I am the happiest I have ever been. All because I took the plunge.

My advice? If you have something that you have a passion for, jump in. Give it a go. After all, you will never know if you don’t try.

***Originally Published in Vintage Life Magazine June 2017***