I hope you all had a wonderful day today wherever you are in the world. It's past 11 PM here in New York. I've just returned from a midweek dinner and glass of riesling at Momo Caffe with my boyfriend, for some much needed rest and relaxation with my love. Sadly last night marked the end of my Blogging for Fashion Business course at FIT. But we all know that endings usher in new beginnings, and this instance was/is no exception. Our brilliant instructor, social media expert Dalia Strum, left us with some final words yesterday that kept me thinking throughout the day today. She said "don't wait for opportunities, create them" and I was once again reminded that the power is all in me.
Taking this course made me reminisce SO much about the first year I started my blog back in 2010. It was a very different game then. I remember the blogs I followed with such devotion and the friendships I developed with their authors from across the world. Everything was so new and exciting. I checked my blog incessantly for comments and new content. Those blogosphere relationships were as real to me as any here in New York. But now that so many of those friends have stopped blogging, I find myself pining for the good old days, for the same sense of community I once had. I'm realizing that there are still plenty of new opportunities to be had but there is much more work to be done to get them.
For the first time in nearly 4 years I feel like the new kid in school again with my blog. I find myself visiting new sites in hopes of making new blog friends. I want to post regularly and provide relevant, meaningful content. I want to collaborate with inspiring individuals and have my voice heard again. I want to reestablish a community of fashion illustration lovers on the web. I guess what I'm attempting to get at here is that I'm no longer sitting around passive waiting for people to come to me. I'm doing exactly what my instructor Dalia said. I'm once again creating and manifesting my own opportunities. After all, good things come to those who hustle, and so they should. I hope you will join me in creating opportunities for yourself too.
Much love,
Meag xx
Don't rue, no point waiting for people and opportunities to come to you , we should just go shard and creat some..
ReplyDeleteU have been around for so long girl, wow..
Keep in touch
www.beingbeautifulandpretty.com
@Pooja you got it girl, no more waiting. Don't spend more time wishing for your dreams than you do working for them xx
DeleteWow I feel exactly the same way...I can't believe that it's been almost 5 years since my first blog post. I met a lot of fantastic people and made some big creative projects.. but resting on our laurels is a trap, everyday we need to try and find motivation – your words reminded me about it :)
ReplyDeleteThe best thing about blogging is that it creates opportunities. xx
nthlee
@Natalia Nazimek I know, that's the truth, and most importantly you just have to trust your instincts. You can't sit around following what other people are doing. You have to be brave and carve your own path for yourself. Your future is up to you, how hard you work, what you make of it xx
DeleteI have only had mine for 2 years, but I definitely feel you. To get things to happen, we have to make them happen.
ReplyDeletehttp://lamentinglizzie.blogspot.com
@Elizabeth Hisle absolutely - even though I've had my blog for almost 4 years SO much happens in between. Your career, relationships, living situations, everything, but if you want something bad enough you work to make it happen xx
DeleteLove this post! Sounds like you've been really galvanized to get out there and build a community around your blog - definitely something I need to work on (that and fashion illustration..I've never really done it, but have always wanted to try it!)
ReplyDeleteMiche from Buttons and Birdcages
@Miche May thank you so much, I'm so happy you connect and appreciate what I wrote. Building a supportive community that inspires and challenges you is everything. I'm going to visit your blog now too xx
DeleteGirl I feel ya! Even though I haven't been blogging even a year yet, I have been hustling!! I've got big dreams for my blog! ;) thank you so much for the kind words! I skimmed through your blog, and girl you got some serious talent!!! So glad we found eachother and I will definitely be following along!!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
@Shannon Jenkins good for you, that's awesome that you've been working hard trying to make things happen for yourself. I have so much respect for the people that don't make excuses for themselves and get out there and do what they love every day. Can't wait to follow along too xx
DeleteLove your blog, very inspiring <3
ReplyDeletewww.nelliescloset.blogspot.com
@Nikoline Schalck Lunoe thanks so much, that means a lot to me. Just visited your blog and I'm now following xx
DeleteOh sweety! This post is great!!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is amazing! so I'll be happy if we could follow each other. Just let me know in my blog if you do it and I will follow back inmediatly!
have a great looong weekend!
xoxo from Spain
www.thegrisgirl.blogspot.com.es
@Ines RdP you bet, I'm following you with Google Friend Connect. I would like to vote for your glamour competition. Please leave the link here and let me know how xx
DeleteGreat post, so true. You´re right, no more hesitation. We should be more initiative. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
Fashion Happenss
@Lia Crystal I'm glad you feel it too xx
DeleteTotally agree!!! Stay stand and wait is useless (unless you are very very lucky), way better to move on to reach your dreams! ;)
ReplyDeletexxx
S
http://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.it/
@S yes WAY better to just go after them and stop feeling sorry for yourself :) xx
DeleteThat's true and I totally agree with you.
ReplyDeleteXx,
Julie | http://www.juliechagas.com/
@Julie Chagas thanks for visiting, you have such a beautiful blog xx
DeleteHi Meagan, this was a wonderful read, I felt inspired as well, your course sounds like a truly marvelous experience. Following you too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me...Have a great Friday!
ReplyDelete@Sam the course was indeed a truly marvellous experience. I'm so, so happy I took it. It made me fall in love with my blog again. Can't wait to follow your posts xx
DeleteDon't wait, create. I hear this all the time, yet I manage to forget it the minute I come across a barrier or two. I crumble up and cry, throw myself a pity party until I am reminded to go out there and save myself! Pave the way. Thanks for reminding me of this!
ReplyDeleteDancing in Black
@Blake Maria thank you so much for visiting and trust me I completely understand. But you have to remind yourself that crumbling and crying doesn't get you anywhere. You just have to keep your head clear. Less talking more doing is what my boyfriend always says, and he's right. We just have to do...xx
DeleteHello lovebug! First of all OMG! I had no idea FIT had a class like that! How come no one told me?!? Has it always been around? or is it new? I went to FIT and did the accessory design program. I wish I knew about then. Makes me wanna move to NYC and take the course! I'm glad you got that inspiration going within you again cause as a blogger its what we live off of and we always need to get re-inspired. I'm always exploring new blogs for inspiration. Before I had Vanilla Sky Dreaming, I had a livejournal for many years and had people all over the world I was following, but slowly it all stops... I would love to do something with ya! I think we can make great things happen together. My trip to Greece isnt for another month but I'd love to maybe do something even before. Maybe we can draw something for my blog or me and I will post it along with a few of my favorite master pieces you've credit and it can get you more exposure. Let me know what you think? xoxo
ReplyDelete@vanillaskydreaming lol I think they just added these hot topic courses recently to reflect the changing job market. I'm starting one on Monday called Social Media and Viral Marketing - How to Generate a Buzz for Your Brand. So excited to hear that you went to FIT too!! I love that school so much and did my Fashion Illustration AAS degree there back in 2009. So nice to hear that you had a blog for a while and reinvent/inspire yourself continually. I will email you to discuss collaboration ideas and figure out timing xx
Deleteok for sure hofit365@yahoo.com
DeleteI actually went to the FIT website the moment I sent this message and saw those course, most are online course! I think im gonna take a few. Let me know how you like the Social Media one cause thats something im interested in. What was the name of the class you took before?
The first class I took was Blogging for Fashion Business and it is offered online. My instructor was Dalia Strum and she was very good :)
DeleteThat is really inspiring! Thank you! I am a new blogger so this is very new to me. I've been communicating with other bloggers and have gotten some feed back which I am very grateful for. Hopefully as I network with other blogs my blog will get more traffic. Your professor is 100% correct about creating your own opportunities.
ReplyDeletexoxo, Caroline
Carolinebogush.blogspot.com
@Caroline Bogush yes definitely, you need to foster your community and just remember to follow your voice because people will gravitate to that. Always be true to you and the rest will follow xx
Delete@Benish Khan thank you so much, that makes me so happy to hear. Will definitely be following you back xx
ReplyDeleteLove it, you should never wait. Great things do not come to those who wait, great things come to those who make it happen! Congrats on opening a new door, I'm sure whatever you take on next you will exude with grace- you are so talented. Your blog is truly inspiring.
ReplyDeletei can’t afford my lifestyle
@Cassandra Dotzel thank you so much for the kind words. Sometimes you just need a little external encouragement to keep pushing for your dreams. You too are so inspiring, your blog is filled with energy and passion for what you love. Great things are coming to you as well, I can feel it xx
DeleteI spent 10 days in NYC last year. It's a really nice city and I really wanna go back there. I'm so glad that you liked Rio. You should go to Salvador, it's nice too :)
ReplyDeleteXx,
Julie | http://www.juliechagas.com/
@Julie Chagas awe thats amazing. 10 days to vacation in New York is pretty considerable. I feel like you can really get into the city in that span of time xx
Deletevery nice post, inspiring blog :)
ReplyDeletehttp://agabierkophotography.blogspot.com/
@Aga Bierko thanks so much, that means a lot to me. Just visited your blog and love your streetstyle photography. Following you with GFC xx
DeleteAbsolutely agree about creating your own opportunities. That's where you experience the greatest satisfaction. Have to tell you, your fashion illustrations are gorgeous.
ReplyDelete@Joanna VanderVlught that is so sweet and yes the greatest satisfaction. I never thought of it like that but it's so true xx
DeleteGreat look & inspiring blog.
ReplyDeleteWould you like to follow each other on gfc and bloglovin?
Check-out my new blogpost.
Besos
http://spendlessusemore.blogspot.co.uk
Love your style blog, just followed with GFC xx
DeleteNice post, amazing blog !!
ReplyDeleteWould you like to follow each other via GFC?
xo
http://www.thetrendysurfer.com/
@Ivan The Trendy Surfer yes for sure! Will check out your blog now xx
DeleteLove that image!! Perfect! I'm glad taking this course brought back memories and made you feel like creating again!! That's always great!
ReplyDeleteSince you're in NY, I was wondering if you wanted to join me and a few others bloggers to a little meet up! It's only two weeks away, but if you're interested you can email Monica: http://modabymonika.blogspot.com/2014/04/second-blogger-meet-up.html
~Sara
@Sara Strauss I would love to!! Thank you so much for inviting me. I will definitely check this out and thank you so much for the sweet comment. Excited to meet you xx
DeleteHi Meagan!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time I didn't comment here. It happened many things in my life and some questionings but I still continued to follow you on your facebook fanpage and now on instagram. I noticed how much you've evolved and "grew up", and this uplifting post is confirms it. Keep on walking on this path you chose. Your words sounds like sincerity and a real willingness to do things with love and determination. Whatever happen, it will be good, for sure. You're an inspiration for me, a self taught fashion illustrator who keep on learning and who try creating opportunities.
Bises from Paris!
@Gigi Mind this is such a beautiful and touching comment. I've just reached out to you on instagram so I can follow as well. YOU are the real inspiration. I love that your passion drives you as a self taught fashion illustrator. Passion ultimately makes the difference between the people who keep pushing in the face of adversity and the people who admit defeat. Keep going, your beauty and heart show in your work. Much love to you xx
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