There was a blog from Sweden that I loved – bjooti.net. I won’t link to it because I found out over the weekend that the blogger has shut down the blog and removed its archives. I couldn’t read Swedish of course – I’m not that linguistically inclined – but Google translator is a huge help, and her gorgeous pictures spoke for themselves.
One of the reasons advanced was that it was just getting too much to keep pushing to stay in front – to be the latest with the newest news all the time (being one of the top European beauty bloggers, she was). It left her no time to herself because our blogs for many of us, are a hobby and after 3+ years she decided enough was enough. I’m sad about it of course – she was a lovely blogger, but it also made me think.
I’m hitting that 3+ years bump – we’ll turn 4 in just 8 months! And I’ll be honest that the whole chasing for new news thing got overwhelming and has been overwhelming. I’m thankful of course, that I’m able to indulge in my little hobby, and thankful that I am being consistently fed with news about… you guessed it, the latest and newest, and I’m eternally grateful and thankful that so many of you out there find the information helpful and useful.
But I’ve decided to make a little change here at My Women Stuff. It was a decision I made (and one I’ve implemented) before I learnt about bjooti.net but that was the little push I needed and I thought I’d tell you about it.
I’m making a conscious decision to stop chasing the rainbow – because you can never catch it, nor will you ever find the pot of gold at the end. If you do, it might just be leprechaun’s gold and evaporate overnight.
I will still post about new and latest things in the beauty world that I’ve tried or come across, but it may not be “news” nor may it be “breaking news” by the time I post about it because you know, trying products, photography and writing takes time. If something new interests me off hand, I’ll be sure to share, as I have been doing. Maybe I’ll summarize it all into bite-sized snippets. I will continue to tell you about the things I try and the tips I learn. But, it may not be new or news or a “scoop”.
If it is, hey! That’s a bonus for you! 😀
If I receive a preview, so will you – but I’m not going to chase for it.
What this also means is that you will not see posts about sales or offers on the blog. They will always be on Facebook and Twitter as and when I come across them – as I’ve done for a while. I will sometimes tell you about contests brands run or events where you can win stuff or get nice freebies, but it will be the exception rather than the norm.
The biggest change might be that you may not see posts about upcoming makeup or beauty seasonal collections ahead of time – there are many many blogs out there with many many lovely pictures anyway. I am personally overwhelmed at reading about Fall news in June when the Summer collections are just hitting the counters. I will post closer to launch date if I feel so inclined, but like I said, I’m done with chasing the rainbow.
One more change. I will still run giveaways. I know its the reason why so many of you are reading 😛 but there will be markedly fewer due to constraints on my time. Real work that pays the bills is going a little bonkers and yes, I have bills to pay.
What will continue are my daily posts, product reviews, thoughts and tips and maybe a rambling or ranting or two 😛 Nothing changes there – just what is being showcased, which at the risk of repeating myself, may not be “NEW!” or “LATEST!” or even “You read it first here on My Women Stuff!!” Has there ever? 😛
I know many of you want to read about what’s new and what’s the latest and if so, I’m sorry I may not be the most up to date resource for you. But My Women Stuff is also for me, and I’d like to live in the present for a little while, and tell you about what I’m enjoying (or not) and using now. Its a lifestyle change I’m bringing over to my blog because my blog is me right? 🙂
I hope this won’t affect the way you read My Women Stuff – I’d hate to lose you 🙂
Our regular schedule will return after this message 🙂
Paris B
Update: Can’t reply everyone but thank you for the support – I truly appreciate it. No worries, am not shutting down – not just yet 🙂 Its business as usual here on MWS – not going anywhere just yet 🙂 As Buzz Lightyear will say – “To infinity and beyond!”
I’m just glad you’re not shutting the blog down 🙂
I very much prefer your reviews and opinions..
Hey Paris,
I found that you constantly have stuffs to blog about daily.Kudos to you for doing that!!! That’s why I do check it out daily – it’s almost like a staple to me 😀
Everyone needs a break or two.. You too deserve a break for blogging daily and responding to our comments.
And yes, we don’t need “breaking” news on makeup and stuffs. Just your honest review will do. 😀
you know how busy i can be sometimes (especially if i go back to malaysia.) and if i keep chasing all the new stuff, i’d probably have gone crazy. i think i won’t miss out much as i don’t follow whatever sale you mention so even without twitter ad facebook or whatever chat form, i am ok. i like reading real true and tried reviews and that’s about it. if you are heading that direction, it’s all the better for me. i don’t have much time for this side job (oops hobby) so i have to be very selective. i am always doing bits here and there when i have time and just comply a post when i can. that way, my reviews are still thorough but i won’t die. just a tip for you.
ps: i’d like to hear about your traveling though. it’s fun to read your trotting around. 🙂
Oh Paris..
I was in tears reading this post of yours (sob sob) I love reading your blog not because of the new news or whatsoever some may be chasing. However, it’s your personality, the way you embraced your blog, your knowledge to share with us here, it’s very sincere and genuine
No worries about replying. I am just doing my best to share with you my thoughts.. Just keep writing ok? You are a blessing for us, always will be…
your faithful reader ^_^
AnT
Hi,
Don’t worry, reading your blog is part of my daily routine already. 😉
Your comments and review are always fun to read, you are informative and unbias. New product or not, does not worry me, as I am not into new things either, as long as good (or not so good one) products that you share.
keep it up!
cheers,
lemon
I agree. Blogging has become somewhat of a job after a while, and I don’t know when it was that is has slowly stopped becoming fun. Maybe it’s because as time went by, other interests starting to take over. I still love makeup, but just not that much anymore.
Many a time I do wonder how you do it; keeping up with the latest news, posting daily (it’s such a feat!), etc. Hats off to you, my dear 🙂
Trying to keep up with what’s new can be really time consuming and tedious, so I understand your decision. Personally, I’ve always read your blog more for your useful reviews and great beauty tips, than for the latest news, so I’d still check your blog daily. 🙂
Like many others here, I am not that into the latest. Especially since being mom, everything is new to me (can you tell I don’t get out much???) 😀
Keep up the good work, in whatever form you choose, I enjoy reading your thoughts, rants and ramblings!
Hi Paris,
You’ve got a really lovely blog here, and I look forward to reading your little snippets and reviews everyday. Its like a daily habit for me, to help me relax after a stressful day at work. I, too, do not read it for “new news” on the beauty world. I just like your writing and your honest reviews.
Keep up the great work. 🙂
Hey! This is just great. To know that you will continue to blog and blog in a way that you enjoy it. Rather than shut it down. Cos we’d hate that!
I’m not one to chase fashion or trends, beauty or otherwise. I’ve always followed your blog because I always get the sense that you are sharing your experiences. Truly sharing it. Not merely blogging about it. But sharing it as a friend would over a cuppa. And that is what’s nice about MWS.
Phew, I’m glad I wasn’t reading about a shutdown of MWS 🙂
We can still gossip within little birdies right? :p Thank goodness for Twitter! You’re right, there are more than enough blogs that chase news that we need not be redundant. It gets exhausting! Besides, I come here for the reviews, tips and interesting insights. Keep it up! and wow!!! 4 years! Even some marriages don’t last that long…
I once a reader of Beauty Addict. I think readers in US are ‘cruel’ compared with us Asians. They pushed her to update her blog everyday, and once she had family problems and couldn’t update for some time, someone called her ‘selfish’ and other cruel comments.
Hey, is it blogging just a hobby?
FYI, I don’t read your blog for the LATEST news. I love your reviews. Keep up the good work.