Late last night, I had a thought-provoking chat with one of my blog friends, Anna. We've been friends for quite a while and have had a few conversations on the topic of blogging, integrity, and being genuine. We talked about the same thing last night, and it really got me thinking.
I know that my blog doesn't really fit into one particular niche. Sometimes this bugs me, like when I read articles about "find your niche, you'll be so successful!" but mostly I'm okay with it. Talking about my life, recipes, music, and sometimes fashion is what makes me happy. Instead of trying to be really successful at one thing, I enjoy sharing a little bit of many things that I like.
I love that the focus of my blog is happiness. I never want to seem like I'm not being genuine, but I also don't want to get overly personal or tell you all about my bad days. I talk about my life and my marriage, and, yes, I understand that I portray them in a very positive light. Overall, those things are really great. Sometimes they're not perfect, but since this is my blog, I don't feel obligated to share the negative details about my life. It's important to me though that you don't think that I'm being fake.
There is such a huge difference between faking a perfect life and focusing on the positive. On my blog, just as in my life, I choose to focus on the positive. So even if I'm sick, or having a miserable day, or Jordan and I can't agree on a paint color for the millionth day in a row, I'll still probably blog about something that is making me happy. I find happiness in every single day, so that is what I share.
As far as blogging and integrity go, I hope that I treat my blog and readers in a way that makes everyone feel okay about reading my blog. While I understand that my blog isn't for everyone (and that's fine!), I hope that I never give someone a reason to think poorly of me. I know that I'm terrible at answering emails in a timely manner, but I promise I'm working on that. :)
I make money from my blog, but I'll never be anything less than honest for the sake of making money. I don't endorse products I don't believe in. In fact, I just turned down a product review because it was something I would never wear in my real life. When I host giveaways, I pick winners fairly. I don't mention every time I use an affiliate link for a product, but you can just assume that if I've linked to a product on Amazon, it's an affiliate link. Again, I won't ever endorse something that I wouldn't recommend for free.
This post, as always, ended up longer than I'd planned. It's incredibly important to me though that my readers understand how much I value each and every one of you. The fact that even a single person cares enough to read about my life on any given day thrills me. I love you all enormously. I promise I'll always do my best to be honest, genuine, and respectful.
In an effort to do the best that I can to bring you great content, let me know in the comments what kind of posts you enjoy most so I can do more of that. Stuff about my daily life? Recipes? Outfit posts? Music? Posts written by my cats? (That last one will happen whether you want it to or not. The cats do what they want.)
Again, I adore you all. Thank you so much for reading Oh, Mishka!
I love this post. I've read your blog on and off for over a year now as a silent reader. I'm a horrible commenter.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading your blog because I feel like you are normal. Your life doesn't consist of nothing but fashion shows or DIY projects for a living. While I love those blogs for what they are you seem like someone I could be friends with IRL and that is a huge thing for me.
I say, keep doing what your doing because it works for you! I know I'll keep coming back :)
xoxohannah
www.signedxoxohannah.com
Thank you so much! Your comment really made me happy because that's exactly what I'm striving for with my blog. I'm glad to have you as a reader. :)
DeleteGreat post *-* <3
ReplyDeleteI love this line " There is such a huge difference between faking a perfect life and focusing on the positive "
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how many people don't recognize the difference.
I also think in blogging, no matter what the subject, it is so important to choose and defend your personal definition of privacy. In my case, any disagreement or money stress or health questions is not necessarily anybody's business but our own. That doesn't mean I'm being fake - it means I am keeping part of my private life private.
xo
Don't put so much emphasis on the word 'niche'... I think one should do what one wants to do!. I like your laid back blog... You are not like some blogs that reek of wanting attention... You're an easy blog ( person) to read and enjoy
ReplyDeleteI really like reading your blog because I think it has a "simple things in life" charm to it. I love that you use it to focus on the positive, and I don't see it as fake. There's nothing wrong with not sharing every aspect of your life. I think some things are nice to share and others should probably be kept private. Sometimes I think, even on facebook, people tend to share way too much.
ReplyDeleteAlso with the "finding your niche" thing, I can so relate to that. I sometimes feel that way about my art and my shop, like maybe I need to stick to one thing or style. But I just love creating all kinds of things in different mediums and styles.
So my point is, as long as you enjoy sharing what you do then that's all that matters really!
I like the genuineness of your blog. Honestly lately I feel many blogs are becoming too focused on obtaining and promoting sponsors in the process they seem to lose what made them special and unique in the first place. And many bloggers seem afraid to talk about certain subjects or deviate from their niche afraid they will lose followers. But your blog has not taken that path instead it has managed to maintain it's originality and uniqueness which I really enjoy. My favorite posts are about your daily life, followed by your great recipes!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed your blog just the way it is (in all it's evolving stages) for about 3 years now! My only request is that we get a little peek at your wedding pics someday soon! ;-) (Though I understand weddings are private, and would totally respect if that's something you would choose not to share on this forum. :-))
ReplyDelete-Debbie <3
I enjoy so much reading these honesty posts and though I'm at the beginning of my blogging career I totally agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI would like to add that it's your blog and that's why it's called a blog... to write your personal thoughts and happenings no matter what others like, cause that is why you have hundreds of followers... for being you.
www.zadinblog.com
I have been following your blog for a while and have always loved hearing about the happy things! God has blessed us all richly - why not think and talk about it?! Keep up the good work! I would love hearing about how you started advertising/making money from your blog.
ReplyDeletelove recipe posts and "day in the life" posts! keep up the great work, love the blog just the way it is. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, don't change a thing!
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your blog for over a year. One of the main reasons I read it is because I feel you are genuine and that comes thru with your writing. I love your daily life posts and always look forward to your recipe posts. I agree with pretty much everyone above, don't change a thing! :)
ReplyDelete"It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about."
- Dale Carnegie
it's your blog and you choose what you want to focus on. we as humans can change our mind everyday and talk about different things every day. and therefore it's always our choice to talk (or write) about what we want. if it is about good and positive and happy things, your blog looks brighter and genuine even if you don't think so. we, your readers, know that you are human too, so we know life is not pink and perfect for you as it can't be for anyone.
ReplyDeletenow i realize it's the first time i write a comment though it's been so long i follow your blog!! =)
Michelle, I love your blog. It's something I have been reading for three years now. I have enjoyed seeing it change, and seeing you change. I don't think you have ever been anything but honest, which I appreciate. I have stopped following several blogs because they felt too commercialized, too unreal. I have never felt that way after reading your blog, because I know YOU are putting the posts together, and that YOU are only sharing things that you care about, or are important to you. It's something I really appreciate because, as a follower, I want to feel like I know you. And if you are about sharing the positive things in your life, about talking blessings and goodness, then that is what you should do. Too many people nowadays (myself included) tend to focus on the more negative aspects of life, the things that bring us down. And here, in your little spot on the Internet, is someplace that can make us smile.
ReplyDeleteI think your blog could qualify as a "lifestyle" blog. At least that's what it is to me. And honestly, I love all your posts! I like reading about other people's lives just because it's fun to see what other people do. I will admit, I really enjoy seeing pictures of the cats, but that's probably because I'm a huge animal lover and have 2 cats and 3 dogs at home. :)
ReplyDeleteOne day, your blog showed up in my email, and I read it, thinking 'Did I subscribe to this?' I subscribe to lots of blogs and follow people on Twitter for my job, and it seemed that your blog didn't really fit in anywhere with that. But I read it, and I keep reading it, and I enjoy it a lot! I follow gardeners and lawn care people in all parts of the world, and I love reading about their different ways of life, so your blog really does fit in, in that way! I do think that you might take a few more days off and let your cats have their say more often, though. (Love the kitties!)
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! Yours is the one blog that I always read even when I dont have time to blog myself. You do spread the happiness and I love that you just blog about you and happy times... I do exactly the same! :)
ReplyDeleteStef x
I totally know what you mean. I have found that it's very easy to get sucked into a negative mentality when I start blogging about negative things. Usually when I blog about positive things, even if I'm feeling negative at the time, it picks my mood right up!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite types of posts of yours are either philosphical ones like this or the ones your cats write (those are pretty funny!). Actually most everything you write is interesting, so keep up the good work!