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Beth Sandland

So You Think You Want to be a Full Time Blogger?

03/01/2018 · BLOGGING TIPS, LIFESTYLE

 

What It's Like to be a full time blogger, so you think you want to be a full time blogger, realities of blogging, Missguided, Chloe Dupe Bag

 

The rise of the blogging industry over the last few years has been truly monumental and the industry is becoming more and more saturated with empowered women (and men!) who hope to ‘make it’ as full time bloggers. I think that is ace. I’ve spoken at length about how truly wonderful I think blogging is; as a hobby it allows a creative space to share your thoughts or your talents with the world, and as a career it allows freedom and flexibility. As a largely female dominated industry I find it particularly inspiring that so many talented women are able to run killer businesses from home around busy lifestyles, families and all manner of commitments. But, it isn’t easy.

I saw a tweet recently that was a little concerned that more and more children are aspiring to be Youtubers or bloggers when they grow up. There is absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t, but it’s very easy to look at the industry from the outside and assume it’s all press events, freebies and scrolling on Instagram. If I mention that I’m working from home or that I’ve given myself a lie in I often get a lot of responses telling me how lucky I am. Recently in a face to face conversation, someone said to me “I wish I’d thought to set up a blog, must be such an easy way to live”. Uhmmmmmm…

Yes, to an extent I am lucky; I am lucky because I get to wake up every day and do the thing that I love doing. I don’t often get that Sunday night dread, and I always meet my rent. From that perspective, I feel totally privileged and the opportunities I’m afford bring me so much joy and gratitude. But I work bloody hard. It’s not luck that I started a blog and it’s not luck that people want to read it.

There are a thousand wonderful things I could write about this industry and this post is absolutely in no way intended to put anyone off, but it isn’t all sunshine, rainbows and Gucci Belts –

 

Here are some of the realities of being a full time blogger:

 

It’s a bit like being at work all the time

As a full-time blogger, it is incredibly difficult to ever switch off. Whilst for most a scroll through social media first thing in the morning, on the train, or whilst watching Netflix in the evening is a past time, for us it is work. That can be really daunting and is part of the reason I try not to keep my phone next to my bed at night.

Everything is a content opportunity and whilst yes, that is a choice, it becomes almost impossible not to want to get a quick snap for the gram. When I’m out and about I literally see photo opportunities and I can’t help mentally drafting blog posts and captions and at times that is totally exhausting. 

 

And people forget that you are actually working

If you’re at an event, you’re working. If you’re meeting a PR for lunch, you’re working. If you’re on a press trip, you’re working. Don’t get me wrong, I’d personally far rather be doing all those things than following a 9-5 but sometimes it is really frustrating that people just assume you’re off on a jolly. Luxurious events are wonderful, but there are normally always content requirements; a pressure to share and to provide the publicity that fundamentally you have been invited for. 

 

You constantly have to justify your career choice

Even though I am self-employed, running my own business and paying my own bills, people still ask me what I am going to do with my degree. I’ve been asked how long I’m going to ‘keep up this blogging lark‘ multiple times, and whilst I’m lucky that my Mum is incredibly supportive, I know a lot of people have really had to convince their parents that they are not wasting their education or pursuing a whim.

 

What It's Like to be a full time blogger, so you think you want to be a full time blogger, realities of blogging, Missguided, Chloe Dupe Bag

 

And the job security is incredibly low 

The media industry is ever changing: a few years ago I don’t think anyone really predicted that blogging would be what it is today, or that Glamour Magazine would give up the ghost and move online because sales are so low. Platforms that we rely so heavily on – such as Instagram – have the ability to send our businesses plummeting to the ground. I’m not whinging about the algorithm, but rather questioning the longevity of the app. Just look at Facebook; a few years ago it was thriving but now it’s a dumping ground for cat videos and Sandra from Huddersfield who wants to sell her wardrobe. One tweet from Kylie Jenner and Snapchat’s shares plummet. 

 

You do not get to sit in a cute cafe and write all day

Maybe 20% of my time is actually spent writing. The other eighty is dedicated to endless emails (many of which are either a load of rubbish, a waste of time because they never reply anyway or newsletters I never even signed up to), brainstorming and planning, meetings, reading contracts, amending silly contracts, issuing invoices, chasing invoices, doing accounts and 50000 other items of very mundane but very necessary admin.

 

You are always held accountable for the things you do (and don’t) say

Followers have very high expectations. That’s totally okay and I always do my best to bare them in mind, but sometimes we get it a little wrong, or we say something off hand and oh my goodness do the hawks descend. Mention politics or a major event and you’ve got an agenda, don’t mention it and you’re ignorant. 

Fleur de Force got actual abuse from people for not revealing her baby’s name immediately. WHAT. 

 

What It's Like to be a full time blogger, so you think you want to be a full time blogger, realities of blogging, Missguided, Chloe Dupe Bag, woman drinking coffee, costa coffee

 

Sometimes people forget you’re a real person

Thankfully I’ve never been a victim of trolling or abuse but I know many who sadly have and it’s so unacceptable.

By putting your life online you also open it up to scrutiny and criticism. Even well-meaning followers can grow tiresome when they message to tell you that they preferred your hair before you dyed it.

 

There are no industry guidelines on pay

Money is such a taboo and it is truly ridiculous. There are no guidelines so you spend a lot of time stabbing in the dark at your rates, only to find that so-and-so is undercutting you, and so-and-so thinks you’re undercharging.

And guess what? Brands and PRs haven’t the foggiest either.

 

You’re always being asked to work for free

On a daily basis there are a flood of emails expecting free coverage. Only about 20% of my content is sponsored, so I am certainly not expecting to be paid for everything I do and the majority of what I write and post is out of a sheer love for the job, but when it feels like you’re doing a brand a favour then something is wrong.

Requests for ‘free trial runs’ (can you IMAGINE asking a hairdresser to cut your hair for free first, so that you can check she’s good enough) and offers of £30 tops in exchange for content packages you’d usually charge £500 for are a daily occurrence and sometimes it takes every ounce of my professionalism and self-control not to point out that my landlady does not accept clothing as currency. 

 

What It's Like to be a full time blogger, so you think you want to be a full time blogger, realities of blogging, Missguided, Chloe Dupe Bag

 

And you never really know what you’ve got to live on each month

Some months are brilliant, others are sparse and you have to remember that each invoice is going to take another month to actually materialise in your bank account, and that’s if they bother to pay on time. Basically, you need to be really good at budgeting or you are going to struggle. I have to view my income holistically and I tend to add up what I’ve made in a quarter and then average it out. 

 

And when you do do Ads and they don’t perform well, it’s a bit crushing

So taking all that into account, when we do do ads and they flop because followers would fundamentally rather everything was un-sponsored, it can be really disheartening.

It’s a common complaint that statistically ads never do as well as other posts and whilst it might seem a bit pathetic to get upset about likes – or a lack of -, it’s worth remembering that this is someones income and engagement is a direct measure of worth.

 

It’s made especially tough by people who will advertise anything

As in any industry, there are people who are good at the jobs and those who are…well, less so. 

Bloggers tend to get lumped together in a category when actually, we are all individual people running individual businesses. Unfortunately there are people who are essentially walking billboards for whitening toothpaste and cereal but there are also lots of truly dedicated bloggers who would never even dream of promoting anything that they don’t think is genuinely worth your while.

 

What It's Like to be a full time blogger, so you think you want to be a full time blogger, realities of blogging, Missguided, Chloe Dupe Bag

 

It can be really lonely

Working from home really isn’t for everyone. Some weeks are full of lovely events and meetings and others I honestly do not wear anything that isn’t made of jersey. Honestly, I relish alone time. As weird as that may sounds I am really comfortable in my own company and so it suits me, but equally a lot of people struggle with the lack of contact and the constant need to be your own motivator. 

And lots of people just don’t understand 

I bloody love my friends and some of them are super, super supportive of my blog. Others pretend it doesn’t exist. That’s fine, because I’m not about to comment on every aspect of their career either but it can feel a little strange when ‘real life’ pals don’t even like your Instagram posts.

Romantically, I imagine it can be really hard work going out with someone who wants to turn every date into a photo opportunity, who often has one eye on the TV and another in their DMs and who works weird and ever-changing hours. If you can find someone who supports and respects your blogging career as a career then that is worth its weight in gold. 

 

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PHOTOGRAPHY: Kaye Ford

Posted In: BLOGGING TIPS, LIFESTYLE

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Comments

  1. Ellie says

    03/01/2018 at 17:12

    LOVE this post babe!! I think a major thing that people struggle with is remembering that you are a real person with real feelings and real things going on at home.

    http://www.petiteelliee

    Ellie xx

    Reply
    • Beth Sandland says

      03/01/2018 at 17:14

      That’s definitely true! Thanks for reading Ellie xx

      Reply
  2. Laura says

    03/01/2018 at 17:20

    This was such an interesting read! I’d love to one day work from home (I’m still figuring out what my business would be!), so I loved getting a little insight into your working life. xx

    Laura // Middle of Adventure

    Reply
    • Beth Sandland says

      03/01/2018 at 17:38

      I love working from home! Different environments definitely suit different people xx

      Reply
  3. Toria Petrie says

    03/01/2018 at 20:25

    Another amazing post Beth! So honest and so informative, I’m loving your content!

    Toria x

    Reply
  4. abbie says

    03/01/2018 at 21:16

    I love this and I am so glad you broke down everything so that people do get to understand the reality that you live on a daily basis. I think people think they know everything about a person from what we put online but that’s far from true!
    Abbie x / http://www.abbwhi.com

    Reply
  5. Savannah says

    03/02/2018 at 03:02

    100% with you on this. Finding the gems of people who understand is so rare. And learning to let it roll off when people just don’t get it. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Kirsten van Terheyden says

    03/02/2018 at 14:39

    Loved this post. I find you so sincere and direct; it’s really refreshing.

    I started a blog last year which was supposed to be heavily centred on mental health but I lost confidence when I didn’t know what to write about haha! I’m going to try again though thanks to this post.

    If you would sub I would be so grateful!

    http://Www.cloudywithsunnyintervals.com

    Love x x x x

    Reply
  7. Michelle says

    03/02/2018 at 21:27

    This is a great post. I’m a part time blogger and it’s more of a love than anything else. Everyone dreams about it becoming full time but I am definitely not under the illusion it would be a breeze. I bet most people wouldn’t even think about the paperwork behind the scenes.
    I struggle with the technical side of my website and how to get onto bloglovin and SEO’s and so on. *sigh*
    Thanks for sharing
    Michelle xx
    wwe.thisismybliss.com.au
    IG: @shellie_belle_

    Reply
  8. Rebecca says

    03/02/2018 at 23:06

    So much detail! I love blog posts like this, because you know the person behind it actually gives a shit. I think everyone wants to be online, working from home these days – I mean that’s the dream, but I agree it is hard, in-fact its harder than hard. I spend majority of my day online, trying to get coverage and because the market is so saturated, it’s difficult as a newbie. This definitely puts things into perspective. x

    http://www.sheintheknow.co.uk

    Reply
  9. Simone says

    03/03/2018 at 08:39

    What a fantastic post. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

    Reply
  10. Saffy Dixon says

    03/03/2018 at 10:34

    I love this post! Although I only blog part time people always think ‘bloggers do it for freebies’ and don’t realise everything that comes with it. Just keep being you, that’s the main thing.

    Reply
  11. Lynsey MacGregor says

    03/03/2018 at 12:19

    This is a great post. I have my own small business as well as blogging. Working from home folk think I don’t have a proper job & it maddens me.

    As you said it’s not easy but it can be more flexible which I like. I also enjoy my own company so working from home it’s just my two dogs & I during the day.

    Going to give this a share over on Twitter,
    Lynsey

    http://Www.larkandlilydesigns.co.uk

    Reply
  12. Flo la vita says

    03/03/2018 at 14:59

    I agree with everything you said!

    Recently a brand contacted me and asked me if I could do a review style post on some of their products. When I asked them weather or not I would be payed for doing the work and told them what my usual fee was they never contacted me again. I think it’s so narrow minded to expect people to put in hours of work for you with no payment at all. If it were a magazine advertising their products they would pay them, just because were working for ourselves and don’t have a huge team like a magazine would, it doesn’t mean that we will work with no payment.

    http://www.flolavita.co.uk

    Reply
  13. Melina says

    03/03/2018 at 19:39

    This was truly a beautifully written post. I am someone striving to become a full-time blogger. Already, while I do it as a hobby, there are so many people already giving me shit. Even some members of my family aren’t very supportive. Luckily for me, my parents, while they don’t really understand it, are super supportive of it. It’s a struggle for sure. Not all glitz and glamour! Great post Beth xxx

    melina | http://www.ivefoundwaldo.com

    Reply
  14. Natalie says

    03/03/2018 at 21:27

    Love reading this post. Completely agree with the ‘real friends’ comment too. How weird. Ah well.
    X
    Off to read your dupes blog now 😀

    Reply
  15. sonia // daring coco says

    03/04/2018 at 01:06

    There’s nothing quite like meeting fellow bloggers face-to-face because they just get it. And it is the most relieving feeling ever to have someone who understands how tough blogging truly is. It’s a 24/7 job and doesn’t just entail posting a photo with a few words as most people think that is all we do. Like a silly FB post that take seconds. My God there is so much work involved, especially the social media side. Reading this felt like meeting another blogger in person over coffee. It was so refreshing to hear. All these trials and dedication it takes. All the emails we get bombarded with from companies who want free promo’s in exchange for the “off-chance” you’ll be one of their faves and they’ll share your post via social media. Or those who want content for less than $10. It can be such a thankless job sometimes. I wish all those haters who’ve said horrid things about bloggers feeling entitled to freebies and need to get a “real job” ie that poor girl who reached out to a hotel regarding a collaboration only to have said business blast and degrade her pitch on social media, would take time to read this and understand.

    Sxx
    daringcoco.com

    Reply
  16. Holly says

    03/04/2018 at 08:38

    For an aspiring full time blogger this post was so refreshing to hear. I’ve loved blogging and I think I always will enjoy putting my heart and soal Into my blog and writing.

    Have you got any tips for someone who wants to bag their first paid content/sponsorsed post? I don’t want to take offers from a brand that has nothing to do with my blog. Is that wrong?

    I love your blog and your Instagram stories are brilliant. Your advice would be really appreciated.

    Much love
    Holly
    Xx

    Reply
  17. Emma Hart | Paper Planes and Caramel Waffles says

    03/04/2018 at 11:08

    Love this post, Beth. I’m not a full time blogger but I don’t doubt for one second all the hard work that goes into it. It takes up enough time when I’m not full time so I can’t imagine what it’s like when it’s your main job!

    Reply
  18. Bree says

    03/04/2018 at 16:47

    I have so much appreciation for this post!

    •Bree
    Letsbebreef.com/blog

    Reply
  19. Hayley says

    03/06/2018 at 11:00

    Loved this post girl – you’ve touched on so many good points here (especially the constantly being at work thing, and also constantly feeling like you have to justify your job!). Such a great read and an amazing insight into what we do!

    Hayley xo
    http://www.frockmeimfamous.com

    Reply
  20. Saskia says

    03/07/2018 at 15:41

    I love how candid you are with your posts! Thanks for sharing! Xxoo

    Reply
  21. diane says

    03/07/2018 at 16:45

    Your post was so interesting and I totally understand what you mean. Blogger is a job and that takes work!
    you go girl x

    a french reader

    Reply
  22. Paolo says

    03/09/2018 at 06:29

    I think most people don’t understand how much work blogging takes. My blog is just a tiny one and I don’t make any money from it but just keeping up with it, creating content, engaging etc takes up almost any free time I have. Can’t imagine how much more it’d be if it was what I did for a living. That’s a big tip of the hat to you and all the other full time bloggers out there.

    Loved reading this post. The other side of blogging that not many people understand or see, always appreciate the honesty in your writing. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  23. Natasha says

    03/10/2018 at 07:28

    I’ve just started a blog in December and I’d like to monetise it, if only for part time money. It’s good to be aware of the pros and cons. Great post 👍

    Reply
  24. Nicole says

    03/13/2018 at 08:00

    This is such an interesting post – I’ve honestly never thought about making blogging my full time job (I’m new to the game but also have a career in law), so I’ve never had to think about all this stuff; especially the part about not always being able to switch off and being constantly at work! Really enjoyed reading this!

    Reply
  25. Lauren says

    03/21/2018 at 21:18

    Love this! Even though I’m nowhere near being a full time blogger, I can relate to a few of these. Especially getting offered exposure for full coverage across social media – it’s ridiculous!

    http://www.theemeralddove.co.uk

    Reply
  26. Steph says

    04/11/2018 at 18:44

    Nice insight! I have recently started a blog and of course read lots of posts about blogging but I like that you mention the downside of things as well as the upsides. Really helps someone understand blogging from the inside out.
    Enjoyed the read, thanks!

    xx-Steph
    http://www.stephellien.com

    Reply
  27. Lea says

    04/15/2018 at 20:21

    This is so true. You just absolutely nailed it! How you describe the good and the bad was so well described. I do blogging as a hobby and it already takes u a lot of time. Doing it full time I can only imagine all the work going into it.
    PS: I love your blog.
    Lea, xx
    http://asnippetoflife.com

    Reply
  28. Annelies says

    05/04/2018 at 20:52

    I found this post really truthful and I’m glad you wrote it.
    So many people often think it’s just fun and not a true job… alternatively, they think it’s super glam and think it’s really easy. Glad you got the word out there!
    Ironically, because I’m not a full time blogger, people don’t take me seriously for that reason, so I sometimes feel there’s no middle ground.
    Nevertheless, I’d love to reach that point some day!
    Great post xx

    thefrugalfrenchie.co.uk

    Reply
  29. Greatness Reinvented says

    05/05/2018 at 21:49

    Great post a lot of people do not understand the amount of work that goes in to running a business no matter what kind of business it is.

    GR | https://www.thegreat.uk

    Reply
  30. Chichi says

    05/11/2018 at 10:56

    I am a full-time freelance copywriter and I run my blog alongside that. I love what I do but it’s hard work, and many people don’t realise that! My goal is to a establish a high and stable income from freelance copywriting and I’d love to become a full-time blogger.

    Chichi
    chichiwrites.com

    Reply
  31. Madeline says

    06/26/2018 at 20:20

    Being a freelance worker and working from home sounds nice but so hard at the same time, because you’re the only person to make your business run. Being a full-time blogger definitely doesn’t sound like a walk in the park to me. It’s insane how so many people still think you just get free clothes and take cute pictures, and that’s it. Very interesting post, it made me appreciate the fact that I only blog for fun when I have the time haha

    Reply
  32. Kaye says

    08/16/2018 at 19:02

    This blog post is so insightful that I as a newbie blogger need to consider all of the points noted before giving up my 9-5job. I do agree that some viewers or readers only see the glamourous side of your work but do not understand how much effort all bloggers put in in every content they make be it blog post, instagram post or even twitter tweet. Loving you blog. ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  33. Michelle says

    08/20/2018 at 18:50

    This was such a great post! At the ripe old age of 30, I have finally decided that I want to be a blogger full-time, mostly because I am quite tired of the 9 to 5 cycle and being on someone else’s time sheet. I am not very close to making it full-time just yet, but hopefully this time next year, I will be able to do so.

    I know it’s challenging to blog full-time and your post really highlights just how hard it can be, but you also seem to enjoy it quite a bit which is great!

    Lovely post! x

    Michelle
    dressingwithstyle-s.com

    Reply
  34. lauren says

    08/24/2018 at 18:50

    Love this! So sick of people thinking blogging isn’t serious and somewhat of a joke – it’s very disheartening!

    Reply
  35. Jordyn says

    08/25/2018 at 10:13

    Great read! Running a blog is hard work and challenging buts it fun. Blogging full time is great but there is also pros and cons. I don’t tell people about my blog much cause I have gotten strange reactions..

    Reply
  36. Nati says

    08/25/2018 at 20:48

    Love this post so much – I’d love to blog full time so I adore how in depth this post is and how honest it is too!

    Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

    Nati x | http://www.naticreates.com

    Reply
  37. Chandreyi says

    03/31/2019 at 21:10

    Girl am sure you already know this but I loved coming across your blog and reading this article. Thank you for being a refreshing voice in.my head, a person who doesn’t fear writing about the things nobody talks about. Thank you. Truly 🙂

    Reply

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I am a multi-award winning blogger, photographer and writer from London. I’ve travelled to over 38 countries, lived out of a backpack for a year and love to scuba dive! This site is a destination for all things travel, lifestyle and my successful online book club.

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Everything tagged! Paint is Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster. Shelves are Funky Chunky Furniture. And that’s my lovely dried wedding bouquet 🥰
Nursery pending 👶🏼🌈🎨 I’ve hated this Nursery pending 👶🏼🌈🎨 I’ve hated this room for the last year. After our first loss it completely taunted me and I couldn’t bring myself to do anything with it other than use it as a giant Monica cupboard. It’s been called so many things - ‘the middle room’, ‘the spare room’, it even stayed as ‘Emily’s room’ for a long time after our lodger moved out - but now we finally call it the baby’s room 🥰🤍 #week28 #thirdtrimester #nurserydecoration #pregnancyafterloss
Week 27: extra hormonal, everything is stretching, Week 27: extra hormonal, everything is stretching, bub is the size of a cauliflower in this bizarre compare babies to fruit & veg game...👶🏼🥦🌈
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😭 Hormonal wreck: I haven’t really had mood swings at all throughout pregnancy but oh my goodness have the hormones got me good this week. There have been tears. And hysterical sobbing. Sorry husband.
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🏀 Basketball belly: the stretch is real! My uterus is now firmly up under my ribs and I swear I can feel them slowly pulling apart. I cried when I sneezed - “it’s like someone STABBED me” (see point 1). Everything feels very round and my old belly piercing scar is not thrilled about life...
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👈🏼 Still an innie: ....just. It’s more like a saucer where it was once a cereal bowl.
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🦒 All the cute things: we’ve decided on a neutral safari themed nursery. Says the person who hates themes.
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💸 “But they’re so small...😭”: I’m officially on a tiny clothes shopping ban. I’ve rinsed eBay and some lovely small brands (and the Zara sale) and I get an eye roll every time I smuggle a new parcel into the nursery.
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🥴 Tasting everything 6 times over: Hi reflux.
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📖 Reading: Your Baby, Your Birth by Hollie de Cruz is next on my bedside table.
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#27weekspregnant #pregnancyafterloss #rainbowbaby #secondtrimester 
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Two things in life that you just can’t have too Two things in life that you just can’t have too much of: books and tea. My survival tools! ☕️📖💫
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Here are 3 titles I’ve read recently (and rated 5/5 - I’m a harsh critic) that are perfect if you need a pick me up or some escapism...
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1. The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley: an old man leaves a notebook in a cafe for a stranger to find telling his ‘truth’ and challenging them to do the same. The catalyst for a web of unusual friendships and genuine, warm characters...
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2. Educated by Tara Westover: a memoir that reads a little like a fiction depicting Tara’s life growing up in a strict Mormon family in Idaho with a survivalist father who is battling undiagnosed mental illness. They don’t believe in formal education or medicine and any form of governance is the work of the Illuminati. Covers some heavy themes (tw: abuse) and is extremely interesting and engaging.
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3. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams: sometimes laugh out loud funny, sometimes poignantly sad, Queenie is a vivacious twenty-something growing up as a black woman in an ever gentrifying south London. A crap boyfriend, covert racism and a battle with anxiety paint a backdrop whilst she navigates daily life. It’s excellent!
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Hit save for later or tag someone who needs some reading inspo 📚 What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
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Join/follow: @bethsbookclub_ 🥰
Love a good wedding-stalk? In it for the pics? Wha Love a good wedding-stalk? In it for the pics? What to know *exactly* what a teeny tiny BIG day of just 4 guests might actually look like? Link in bio 👰🏻💓
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Photos:  @victoriasomersethowphotography 
Hair: @whiteman.soho 
Make up: Keeley Wilson MUA
Flowers: @emmahewlettfloraldesign 
Dress: ASOS
Plant mom 🌿✌🏼 ⠀ Monty the monstera is go Plant mom 🌿✌🏼
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Monty the monstera is going to start eating dentists soon. My top tips for a super healthy swiss cheese plant -
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🌱 A lovely bright spot away from direct sun (not a problem in winter) and radiators.
🌱 Intuitive watering: stick your finger in and water when the top 2” of the soil are dry, rather than to a set schedule. The amount needed depends on your plant (I use around 700ml approx every 10 days) but make sure you’ve got good drainage!
🌱 Every now and again I like to put it in the garden when it’s raining (in the spring/summer) or under the shower. Rain is best if possible as hard tap water can cause mineral build up on the soil.
🌱 Moss pole! Train it to grow upwards with a strong pole and ties.
🌱 Wipe dust off the leaves (shower also does this) and use a spritz bottle regularly.
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If it’s looking sad it’s probably an issue with water or light! #urbanjungle #monsteramonday
26 weeks: mini diary 🤍 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 26 weeks: mini diary 🤍
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With less than 2 weeks until the final trimester I thought I’d try and document weekly, as much for me to look back on. This photo is already a week old and I seem to be growing by the day!
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What’s the crack this week?...
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😴 Sleepy AF: A new wave of exhaustion has hit. It makes sense - babies generally double their weight between 24-28 wks. I’ve started going to bed earlier/falling asleep at 9pm in front of Bridgerton.
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🤧 Pelvic floor: Sneezing brings ALL the fear!
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🐙 Movement: I saw my belly move from the outside like a scene from Alien for the first time. At bed time it feels like a small octopus is doing the Macarena in my uterus. It’s still the most magical feeling in the world.
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👶🏼 Prep: The pram arrived this week! We ordered it in a brilliant Silver Cross sale. I was feeling a bit flat about the loss of that ‘pram shopping with my bump’ experience due to lockdown but putting it together made me happy - it’s so beautiful! And so surreal - we own a pram!
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📖 Reading: The Positive Birth Book by @milli.hill. It puts across all options in a clear, non-judgey, humorous way and has made me think of things I’d never heard of. It’s also the first time I’ve understood what a birth plan might physically look/read like.
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🧘🏼‍♀️ Hypnobirthing: I’ve started to feel more nervous about the birth (not the actual act or the pain, rather fears I won’t share as don’t want to project) but we’re starting hypnobirthing online next week which I’m looking forward to!
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👯‍♀️ Following: @birth_ed, @takingcarababies, @mixing.up.motherhood are accounts that are bringing joy/invaluable info.
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#26weeks #rainbowbaby🌈 #secondtrimester #pregnancyafterloss
I loved being a pregnant bride. Often a baby is a I loved being a pregnant bride. Often a baby is a reason to delay or speed up a wedding (lots assumed that was the case for us, but it wasn’t!) and is generally seen as perhaps spoiling things a little. It’s totally fine if you do feel that way, but for us it made it extra magical. It felt totally right to have our little bub between us as we exchanged vows and I was happy to embrace the bump in my dress. I still chose exactly the look and fit I wanted and wore the sparkly heels and in a way, I found trying dresses on much lower pressure as I wasn’t worrying about my figure. Perhaps the biggest difference was staying sober and the fact that we had a tiny wedding with a fancy lunch rather than a party probably made this a lot easier. I raised a toast with our four guests but beyond that, I didn’t have any inclination to drink anyway. Bonus - a great nights sleep and no hangover! 🥂👰🏻
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Photographer: @victoriasomersethowphotography
Dress: ASOS
Box fresh kicks ready to explore [from the bedroom Box fresh kicks ready to explore [from the bedroom to the kitchen, to the loo...aaand repeat]...at least they’ll stay clean 🥴☕️
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Type into browser: https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ewjdwzcbq2x (junior size 🤑 if under a UK 5.5)
AD: Pregnancy has given me a lot of time to reflec AD: Pregnancy has given me a lot of time to reflect on my relationship with alcohol over the last year. 🍸 I flitted between giving it up when pregnant or for fertility purposes, then using it as an emotional crutch in loss which made me more anxious and restless. This time - now 6 months pregnant - I haven’t had a drink since August and have been really pleasantly surprised by how little I’ve missed it, even over the festive season. I’m not into vilifying booze; I enjoy a couple of drinks and even the feeling of lowered inhibitions and being tipsy. But I know that even post-pregnancy and the other-side of the hazy newborn/breastfeeding days, I’ll try and maintain a far more positive relationship with alcohol which for me, looks like indulging lightly and occasionally.
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Having access to brilliant alcohol-free alternatives makes this significantly easier. My favourite gin distillers, Salcombe Gin, are behind the @NewLondonLight; a 0% spirit that doesn’t compromise on taste. So whether you’re pregnant, doing Dry January or simply attempting to live lighter, you can still enjoy a Sunday evening tipple. How do you feel about the alcohol free movement?
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Get 20% off with code ‘NLL20Beth’ 🍊 #NewLondonLight #LiveLightNLL #NLL
Top 5 Books I read in 2020 ☕️ ~
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Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens: totally captivating, unusual and enchanting. I literally devoured this one!
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Queenie, Candice Carty-Williams: as well as being laugh out loud funny, Queenie is also an education. A must read on what it’s like to be a young black woman growing up in London. Also tackles mental health really well!
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The Flatshare, Beth O’Leary: I recommend this to anyone who just really needs a hug from a genuinely enjoyable book. It’s warm and lovely but offers depth well beyond your usual chick lit too.
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Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi: this novel is such a triumph! Spanning over 300 years from pre-colonial Ghana to present day USA, each chapter follows a new character in the lineage of two sisters. One sold to slavery, the other married to an English coloniser. It’s sweepingly powerful and incredibly well written. I could’ve read an entire book on each character!
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A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman: Ove was the very first book I read in 2020 and it stuck with me throughout the year. At its most basic, it’s the story of a cantankerous old man. Delve a little deeper and it’s funny, heartbreaking and incredibly heartwarming. I just love Ove!
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Hit the ‘save’ button to come back to this list when you’re in need of a good read! What were your books of the year? 📚
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PS. If more reading, less scrolling is one of your 2021 goals too then don’t forget you can come and join us at @bethsbookclub_ 😎
2 0 2 1: the year of you 🕊🤍
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Happy new year saucepots! We had an ultra rock n’ roll night (read our books in bed then watched the midnight fireworks - that was a nice surprise! - on a phone before falling promptly to sleep...) and today is all about a long walk, a longer bath, books and tea. And obviously starting a new diary because isn’t fresh stationary the best thing about a new year?!
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Are you setting New Years’ resolutions? I prefer a bit of reflection and mindset shifting. This year it’s all about setting firm positive boundaries, protecting my energy and saying no to things/people that don’t serve that. I like the new year, not for the ‘new me’ noise but rather as a chance to let go and embrace a fresh beginning again. ⚡️☕️
As far as NYE outfits go, I’m not mad about this As far as NYE outfits go, I’m not mad about this one...🐻🥂 I hope you’re all well and excited to bid farewell to 2020. I know the clock striking midnight doesn’t fundamentally change anything but I’m hopeful that we can look forward with more optimism. I always find the turn of the year really emotionally complex. I’m not even going to attempt to unpack this last one other than to rejoice that even amongst the lowest of lows there have been highs. My beloved Nan won’t see the new year, which is hard to contemplate. I also married my best friend. This time last year I was miserable on the sofa, a day after surgery for our first miscarriage and wishing I could press pause on life. Tonight I’m still on the sofa, but full and at peace rather than empty and grieving, looking forward. For us, 2021 will see the birth of our little cub so it’s one that I’m welcoming with open arms. So much can change in a year and I hope you can seek comfort in that. However you’re feeling tonight, I’ll raise my alco-free bubbles to you because you did it: you made it through one of the toughest years in history. Brighter days are coming ☀️💓
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