BLOGGING: WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVATION?


Motivation is essential to achieve any type of success whether it is in business, fitness, relationships, or even blogging. Webster’s Dictionary defines motivation as “the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action;” and “the reason for the action.”


When I started blogging I asked myself the following questions: What type of incentive am I seeking? What will make me feel sufficient? When will I feel that I’ve achieved enough? Basically, what was my goal or desired outcome? The answers to these questions were very important for me because they determined where my motivation was coming from; me or others.



First and foremost, let me state my motivation. Many don’t know this, but for me, blogging has been a self-help mechanism.  I have not always been plus size. I was involved in an accident that left me with a back injury. Due to this injury I could no longer run or exercise and I gained 80lbs! Family and friends stated their disbelief of my new girth right to my face. Comments like “KIAH, WHAT HAPPENED”! It was absolutely dreadful and I fell into a deep depression. It was during this bout of depression that I realized the powerful influence society and media have on people’s perception of beauty. I knew I wanted to be a part of debunking that perception. MOTIVATION!



I love fashion. I would love fashion and pay for it even if I weren’t a fashion blogger. I don’t blog for money and I don’t blog for popularity, I blog to influence. A successful blog for me isn’t about page views or how large the number is under my followers tab. I wanted to create a space for women to come and see a larger sized girl prove that style has no size. 



The other day I received an email from a follower stating that they don’t understand how and why I’m never listed as a “top blogger” or “blogger to know” when those types of articles come out. I thanked her for thinking that I should be, but then stated that I don’t need to be. I’m not offended by it, and I’m genuinely happy for those who are featured. Actually, I’ve found many fabulous blogs from such lists. I’m famous for saying “I DON’T DO COMPETITION”. Competition is a waste of time and energy. I always tell my daughter that there will always be somebody prettier, thinner, curvier, more popular, more creative, and wealthier, so to just be the best HER that she could be. I live by that same motto.



You see, being on the “list” is not what I need to feel sufficient. I feel I’ve achieved enough simply by receiving some sort of positive contact. Shoot me an email. Leave a comment. Click “like”. Share it! As bloggers we expect and desire some sort of encouragement. It lets us know that somebody cares. It’s rather discouraging to post an outfit or do a write-up and get not a one AMEN!  



So I leave you with this bit of advice. Check your motivation! What are you blogging for? Is it positive? Use blogging as an opportunity to grow as a person not as a blog. Do it for YOU! I’ve learned so much about myself like I’m a lot more creative than I thought I was, I’ve got pretty thick skin, and I actually do like people (haha). I feel like for once in my life I’m actually doing something because I love it! I’ve considered quitting numerous times during these past 5 years but then I get that one email that tells me I have made a difference in someone’s life and I’m reminded of why I started doing this in the first place.


I don’t know how long I will keep doing this but I do know that I will leave satisfied with the fact that through my motivation, this blog has brought me many friends, opportunities, and most importantly, self-love (no matter my dress size). Mission accomplished!  

LOVE,
Kiah

Comments

Style4Curves said…
Great post. My mission is to help other women learn that big doesn't mean you can't look nice. It also helps my style evolve to see how things look when they are photographed. Getting more readers is great but I don't base my self worth off of social media interaction. At the end of my day I blog because I love it.
Wonderful post, Kiah! I blog because I think it's honestly fun. I didn't set out to be a "power blogger" or "one to watch" or anything like that. I just like writing my nonsense posts and putting something out there for plus-sized girls that are also tall.
Divamazon said…
Love this post! You inspire SO many people it's not even funny (almost every plus size blogger I follow has mentioned you in admiration at some point or the other--your style is SICK).

Keep doing you lovely lady! Us fans (and the lurkers) will keep watching, learning and applauding!
Unknown said…
Great post! So you've got my AMEN!
www.tributetothestyle.com
Tammie S. said…
I want to appeal to the every day woman. Women who work, go to school, have jobs and care for a family or are single with no kids. Women who can't necessarily afford Louboutins, Luis Vuitton, channel or other big brands! I want to show women they can live fabulously in their ordinary life!!! They are fabulous! They are enough!
Cat Simmonds said…
Amen, Sister! Love this post and completely agree, we do this to improve our own abilities and to expand our creativities as fashionistas and as life livers, cheers to the best you can be, boo!
Great post, sis! I too use blogging as a way to grow personally, as well as a way to inspire others. Even if I wasn't blogging, I'd still find a way to do both. But I am blessed that blogging has allowed me to reach and meet so many people that I would have never met before.

~Whitney
www.whitneynicjames.com
Unknown said…
You have posed a question that I must address. At the beginning of last year my church held a fast. During this fast I asked the Lord to give me clarity about what was the next stage of my life. You see in 2012 after being a full time wife and mother I went back to work, at the same time my daughter, my only child, was away at college (talk about the empty nest, that's a other story). In August 2012 on one single day I got fired and my daughter got kicked out of school. I was devastated and overwhelmed. The depression I experienced was oppressive and I felt utterly useless. Fast forward to the end of the fast in January 2013, I felt the Father bring up one of my life long passions: Makeup. It seemed trivial and my husband thought I was just tripping. In the last year I have watched the Lord open so many doors for me. I who for the last 20 years spent most of my time focused on my child or husband, attended every Makeup event, training and networking opportunity available. Suddenly I was apart of a world that I didn't know existed.
Ok I know this is long winded, I'm going to wrap it up. My point is I've found myself measuring my gifts and talents that are God given by the number of likes and followers I have on instagram. I have found myself falling victim to the mindset that I need the affirmation of man. My motivation for starting BeautyIgnited Makeup Artistry was the Lord. Thank you for reminding me, reminding me not to take myself and this process so seriously. My times are in His hands. Thank you for being here and doing what you do. And allowing the Lord to use you as an encouragement to others.
Anonymous said…
I HEAR YA! I've been blogging for over five years now and I never had, and still don't have any ambitions to be a superstar blogger. I just want to inspire people. That.is.all. It makes my day when I get emails from people saying how I have helped them view their bodies in a more positive light and stop helping themselves. Blogging was never meant to be about me raising my own status, just about helping people to realise you can look stylish at any size. I love ya Kiah! *hugs*.
Anonymous said…
You motivate me. I appreciate your blog so much. In a time when I was depressed and gaining weight, you reminded me that style has nothing to do with size. Thank you for being you and ROCKIN' IT like no one else!!!!

Much Love
Anonymous said…
You motivate me. I appreciate your blog so much. In a time when I was depressed and gaining weight, you reminded me that style has nothing to do with size. Thank you for being you and ROCKIN' IT like no one else!!!!

Much Love
Tanya said…
Love the pics. Nice blog.

the-renaissance-of-inner-fashion.blogspot.co.uk
Tan said…
Dear Kiah, I follow your blog for a long time and never commented at all. But now in this post you've confirmed everything I've already tought about you. You're wonderfully stylish, girl! From your brazilian fan, tight hug. Letânia :-)
Unknown said…
Savvy discussion , For what it's worth , if anyone need to merge are interested in merging of , my colleagues saw a tool here http://www.altomerge.com/
importent said…
here is discuss the power of listening to and following through on our intuition
Trusting Your Intuition