The Hustler Blogger Award | Why I Started Blogging, My Inspiration & Favourite Bloggers

/ Catherine

It has been such a while since I was nominated for this award that I have completely forgotten who nominated me! Whoever it was I’d like to thank very much. From the questions I can already anticipate that this will be an interesting post. 

Rules

1. Include the banner in your award post.

2. Be sure to give the creator credit (markanthonyswall.wordpress.com) so he will be able to read them.

3. You can nominate no less than 5 bloggers, but more if you choose.

4. Answer the questions

5. The person who’s being nominated can add one more question of his/her choice to his/her nominees.

Questions

  • Why did you start a blog?

They are many people who got their inspiration from right where I did: Zoella. From reading her books a few years ago I was very intrigued by the idea of having an online platform to share my writing. Since I was a very small child I’ve always enjoyed the process of writing books, poems songs and anything creative. Having somewhere to share my writing really excited me! 

  • What/who inspired you to do it?

As I mentioned in the previous question, it was definitely Zoe Sugg and her books. Although I don’t make any content similar to Zoella, just that initial idea of sharing my thoughts was the inspiration. Since then I’ve found a lot of inspiration through YouTube, bookstagram, Pinterest and other people’s stories.

  • What motivates you to keep pushing and creating content and make your site alive?

The idea of giving up on something really scares me. Even if at points I am not enjoying blogging, I will push through until that spark is reignited again. If I were to take a break, I may never return. So what really motivates me to keep going is failure. I know that taking a break isn’t failure but to me it seems so. I’ve always had that mentality. It may not be healthy but it does help me sometimes! And of course, flicking through my reader always help me to stay motivated. That leads us on nicely to the next question:

  • Who are your fave bloggers? And how do they urge you to grow as well?

Okay, so there are a lot to choose from. However, if I were to make this answer as concise as possible, I’d have to list these five beautiful people:

Maryam @ Infinitely A Day Dreamer

Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner

Pooja @ Life’s Fine Whine

Gracie @ A Light In The Darkness

Zoe @ Zoe Ware

Their blogs always provide me with post ideas for my own blog. Sophie has especially inspired me over the last couple of weeks! What is even more special is the fact that they will always take time to reply to your comments and engage with your account too. That is what I find really important about the blogosphere: there will always be someone out there to help and encourage you. 

  • What lesson/s have you learned through your experience?

I don’t suppose I have learned many ‘lessons’ as such, however I can definitely give advice! Such as replying to your comments, keeping to a schedule and remembering that it’s just a hobby – you don’t need to spend ages and ages of time on each post! I’m slightly perfectionistic but blogging has taught me to care less. No-one sits there analysing the structure of each and every sentence. 

  • Has blogging brought impact to you as a person? If yes, what are these?

Ooh, I don’t know if it has or not! It’s really hard to identify what factor has impacted your change of style, aesthetic and interests. Through consumption of blogs I may have changed up some parts of my life, however I can’t pin-point what these are. In a way, yes. But I wouldn’t know unless I had never blogged in the first place! (that sounds like nonsense – does any one understand those last few sentences?)

  • Not everyone is confident enough to start a blog. What advice can you give them?

I’m not confident within myself, so I began an anonymous blog. There’s nothing to be afraid of if no one is aware of who you are behind the screen! Of course I don’t mean to encourage catfishing, but instead just hiding little parts of your identity that you’re not ready to share yet. If you’re not confident to start a blog, perhaps it isn’t the right thing for you. If you do have a passion, however, don’t be scared of sharing it. People will hear you. There is so much encouragement awaiting you! There may be set-backs, a few nasty comments here and there, but there is much more love in the blogosphere. Don’t be afraid – this little community is awesome!

  • Give 3 facts about you as a blogger (strengths or flaws)

Trying to stay positive, I’ll mention three strengths. We need some self-love in the air!

  • I’m good at writing post way before they are scheduled. 
  • I’ve not missed a single day of upload in about two years (three times a week!)
  • I have found an editing style on VSCO which works for almost all of my photos.

  • Drop down your blog post which you are most proud of (together with the link so we can read it)

Usually I stick to awards, tags and ‘list’ posts however this one was a bit different – I talked about yoga. Just a small little rant about what I enjoy about yoga! You all seemed to love it which was quite a shock. We have smaller attention spans by the day so I wasn’t at all expecting so much love on a chatty post. You can read it here.

  • Do you think you’ll love meeting all the bloggers you got to know in the blogosphere?

Wouldn’t it be nice to see all of the people you interact with online? I don’t think I could meet you all at once since I get drained by social situations, but it would be cool to meet little groups at a time. Beginning with my little UK friends, then branching out to Europe, America, Australia and Canada! I would love to meet you all, but I don’t think you’d want to met me haha since I’ve not revealed my face to the blog yet. I promise you I’m a teenage girl, not a random alien trying to steal your information then cause an invasion.

My Nominees

Sophie @ Sophie’s Corner

Rhi @ Marshmallow Harmonies 

Jules @ Casual and Up Close

Millie @ Millie Button

Grace @ Grace Ariya

Neve @ Neve Frank’s Blog

Emily @ Princess Emily M

Rachel @ Emma Blether

–  and anyone else who would like to take part! I love reading posts about blogging, and how people find inspiration. So do make sure to tag me in the post if you answer the questions (link my recent post so I get a pingback – otherwise I won’t be able to find it).

Woah! That was a pretty substantial post. Thank you so much for sticking to the end. I really appreciate it! Please leave in the comments your favourite blogs if you have any. I would love to know what you’re reading and branch out to new people. 

What blogs are you reading at the moment? What inspired you to begin a blog in the first place?

erin x

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36 thoughts on “The Hustler Blogger Award | Why I Started Blogging, My Inspiration & Favourite Bloggers”

  1. Congratulations on the nomination and I’m honoured that you would list me as one of your favourite bloggers- you’re definitely one of mine too and I always enjoy your posts!

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  2. It’s interesting that one of your main motivators is failure. I’ve never looked at things that way before. Learning about other bloggers and what goes on behind the keyboard really did open my eyes a little. Thanks for sharing this!

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    • Thank you for reading, Stuart. I am a perfectionist of sorts so I’ve always been very anxious about failure. I agree that learning about the people behind the screen is very intriguing. If you’d like to answer these questions I’d love to hear it 🙂

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  3. These are such thought-provoking questions. I wonder how blogging changed me. I’ve conjured up so many scenarios about meeting bloggers and I just…it doesn’t penetrate 😂 Because each one of us has a certain perception of someone and how they look and act, but they might be a completely different person irl (which is normal). The possibilities…

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    • Thank you for reading, Nour. I really appreciate people who read entire long posts like this one! Yes it is a weird thought. I mainly wonder about how people think I look like too. Your thoughts are always appreciated! Thank you for stopping by 🙂

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  6. I loved this post so much! The questions were SO good. And the answers too, needless to say!!😉😉

    And I’ve questioned that too- on why I keep pushing through, and why I don’t feel like stopping at all. And now you’ve said it. I can’t imagine everything ending up as a waste in the end. I cant even bear to think about that side of the things, even though it’s just my own blog and something I do when I’m free. Could relate to that! X
    LOVE your blog (Honest.❤) and loved this post XX

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  12. Great post Erin, really interesting read! Thank you for nominating me ☺️ I never really expected to start blogging, a lot of my family are really against social media. Since the loom band craze I’ve wanted to have a blog or channel to share my craft ideas but the answer was always no, when you’re older. 🙈 A couple of years ago, I did a work experience placement on an art project and the company asked me to write a blog of my experience, and I found I really enjoyed writing it and wanted to write more, so my mum let me continue blogging, although it is still secret to the rest of my family. I love the blogging community so much, I’ve met so many kind and supportive people and it’s awesome finding people who have the same interests as you. 💛

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    • Thank you for reading the entire post! It was quite a beefy one haha, and you’re such a natural when it comes to blogging! Glad you decided to carry on with it. Loom bands were my childhood – I loved making them but I could never master the fishtail. The blogging community is beautiful, and I’m so lucky we’ve crossed paths! I love your content and I’m flattered that you read mine. Take care 🙂

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  13. Pingback: The Outstanding Blogger Award – Sparks of Ara

  14. Thank you so much for the nomination Catherine! I’m so happy you thought of me and love what I share. Absolutely made my day! It was great hearing you talk about blogging and your site. Your love for what you do and desire to share new and inspiring content shines through! I’m so proud of how far you’ve come as a writer and beautiful individual x

    Also.. any chance we will get a face reveal soon? hehe x

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