Authenticity

I have recently spent some time reflecting on the term ‘authentic’ and what it means to me. Authentic referring to, for the purpose of this post, its human sense, meaning ‘true to one’s own personality, spirit or character’ . As a blogger, this is one of the things I value most highly when it comes to my posts, photos and general ‘online persona’. Equally however, it is also one of the things that causes me the most blogging anxiety.

Ever since I started my blog, I have always emphasised to myself that the most important part of it is to stay true to my character. The idea behind Alice Hope is simply as the name states, an expression of myself, and I’d like to think that you can read my personality through my writing – no matter what the post is about. When I started this blog, I didn’t share it on any of my socials, in fact, it was more of a personal thing. Until many months later, I found the confidence to start sharing my posts, and to even create an Instagram for my blog. Since then, myself and my blog have both come a long way, in terms of confidence, professionalism, and finding my niche in the blogging world.

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Of course, I am still about as small as a blogger can get, classified not even just as a ‘micro blogger’ but a ‘super micro blogger’. Do I have a problem with falling into this category? Not at all. In fact, read that term in a slightly different tone and voilà, there I am stood in a pink cape and mask ready to save the blogging universe, now that’s a much more exciting way to look at it isn’t it?

The truth is, being part of the micro blogger community is great, and one of the main reasons for this is because of its authenticity. You really feel like you have genuine connections with people. Since I started my blog Instagram (or blinsta if you’d rather) just over a year ago, I have had a modest growth to almost 1,700 followers. You might think this is slow growth and you’d probably be right to say so, but I think that growth is measured in lots of different ways.

I have tried to opt for the ‘quality over quantity’ approach. I may not have a big following, but what I do have, is a small following of lots of people that I regularly engage with, support and chat to as genuine friends. I would take 1 legitimate follower over 100 spam followers any day, as I’m sure most of you reading this would. Through my blog and my Instagram pages, I have tried my best to show the real me, and I hope that behind all the fancy posing, you guys can really see it. Blogging for me, is an expression of my creativity, not simply focused on the idea of becoming an influencer. I want to write, shoot content and style outfits, and find some people who appreciate my style along the way!

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So where does the anxiety come into it? Well, I suppose it links to everything that I just said. Although I can confidently say that all I have talked about so far is true, ironically, it somewhat causes me conflict. As bloggers, who face criticism for their job, (or what people deem as a lack thereof), there is a certain pressure to care and not care about numbers at the same time. Don’t care about them and you’ll never progress, care about them and you’re superficial or fake.

I have never been too focused on numbers and my following, but without a doubt, when Instagram’s algorithm affects my engagement, it definitely affects my mood. Since starting my Instagram and reaching my ‘peak point’ where I was regularly getting a minimum of 300 – 600 likes, I have watched my engagement more than half, thanks to the lack of exposure on my posts. This is something that I frustratingly can’t really do anything about. As I have said, of course it’s not all about the numbers, but when you spend a lot of time styling, shooting, deleting a million photos and editing the few good ones until you’re really proud of the result, it’s certainly disheartening when the efforts don’t pay off.

Things like this are the root of my conflict, I start to wonder why I care, am I too focused on numbers? Does this make me inauthentic? Do people think that all I care about is likes? A similar conflict presents itself when I work on promotional content. I have had a really lucky phase recently where an unexpected amount of brands have contacted me and asked to collaborate. These have all been amazing and I’m so grateful for the opportunity, plus, I adore all of the brands I have worked with! Even still, that question is there niggling at the back of my mind: does this mean I’m losing authenticity?

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After reflecting on this for a while, I have come to the conclusion that I don’t need to make myself feel guilty for thinking these things. At the end of the day, blogging is my main hobby, it’s my spare time, my motivation and my self-expression, so why shouldn’t I want it to do well? Why shouldn’t I seize opportunities to work with the brands that I love? Or to create content I’m proud of? I feel that we put a certain pressure on ourselves to not care about numbers for fear of coming across as ‘inauthentic’, but I say there’s nothing wrong with wanting your efforts to be appreciated, and it simply shows a passion behind what you do.

So, perhaps as a message to myself more than anyone else, it’s time to stop the guilt tripping. I appreciate every single person that’s part of my little community, and I hope that over time it will grow alongside my blog. I also hope that you guys agree that I am more than just the poses in my photos, and you see me as the authentic blogger that I think I am, because after all *cue camp rock theme tune* ‘this is real, this is me’.

Have you been affected by the Instagram algorithm? Are you part of the micro blogger community? What are your goals with your blog? Let me know in the comments below!

 

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  1. alicegraceelizabeth

    This was really well written and inspiring for all new bloggers (like me) who are wanting to get started! Love reading posts like this x

    1. Alice Hope

      Thank you that means so much to me and I’m glad you enjoyed reading😭 really appreciate your comment 💓

  2. emilygabriellax

    I really enjoyed reading this post, I definitely see your authenticity! Your insta posts are gorgeous, but you still seem like a down to earth person who is just doing what they love. Your writing style is so nice and easy to read all the way to the end!

    1. Alice Hope

      Up there with one of the best comments I’ve ever received 😭 thank you so much that means a lot and I’m so glad you like my writing! Much love 💓

  3. sarasstudentlife

    I really like this post! You truly do seem like a very authentic person and that is hard to find these days!

    1. Alice Hope

      Thank you! That means a lot 💓

  4. With love, Caroline

    Amazing post, Alice! First of all, you made me laugh so much with the “blinsta” I don’t know why, but I found the word hilarious 😂
    Second, I’ll have to be truly honest but since it’s the topic: one thing I like the most about your blog (and made me stick to it) is exactly your authenticity! You have your style both in fashion and in writing, and through them, you show your amazing personality 😊

    If you’re a “super micro blogger” , I’m a “super micro tiny very little blogger” (I added the “super” because I also want that pink cape 😂 ) Surely, the numbers aren’t everything but if blogging was ONLY for you, you would write them on a private notebook (or website), if you’re here it’s because you want to share your thoughts, your universe, connect with people and open yourself to the world! Unfortunately, the way to do it nowadays is to go through Insta’s algorithms… I think caring about the numbers is okay because it affects how much you can connect with other people and how the things you want to share are actually shared. Of course, it shouldn’t be an obsession, but you shouldn’t feel guilty for looking at them 😊

    Anyway, as this really long comment shows, I loved this post! Can’t wait to see you accomplish even more!

    1. Alice Hope

      That is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me 😭 you have no idea how much it made me smile! I am so grateful for you sticking with my blog and your comments genuinely brighten up my day, I’m glad you think my personality comes through and I feel the same about yours! I think it’s time we actually bought those pink capes I was talking about? 😂💓

      1. With love, Caroline

        My pleasure! Yes definitely for the capes 😍

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