Pause and Reflect : Blogging Reality Check+What I have learnt so Far

Image Source: Pexels

P.S This is not a blogversary post :)

I can't believe its been just a bit over three years since I started this blog. At the time, I was on maternity leave having recently had a baby and I recall my sister who blogs here had encouraged me to start a blog as I couldn't stop moaning about how much I lacked ideas on what to do besides caring for the baby.

Although I work in an IT related industry, I still had to run  to my sister for virtually everything in terms of getting the blog up and running. Once my blog was all set up it meant I had to find my footing in the blogging world or as in the bloggers lingo ''find my niche''.

In the early days, I wanted to be a mummy blogger who reviews stuff and by that I mean I wanted to basically talk about products, stuffs and services on my blog, form an opinion about them and draw a conclusion which I think might help readers make an informed decision if they ever felt the need to either make a similar or guided purchase etc. So sometimes , I would write about personal purchases and at other times as I learnt the ropes really quickly I would ply the ''Blogger request'' route.

Most times when I did the latter though, I did feel like a fish out of water as I am quite a shy and introverted person and did not feel like I stood the chance against other well grounded bloggers with an already established blog presence in terms of audience,content and influence. So I gave up that route and stuck to talking about personal purchases and the occasional review opportunities that came in via direct contact with companies and agencies. 

As time progressed I started losing interest in blogging, I gradually slowed down and before I realized it I had completely stopped blogging!  It took me well close to a year to return to blogging and I promised myself I would only go with the flow, no stress,no pressure and definitely no desire to limit myself to just a specific area of interest anymore.

Image source:Pexels

In Hindsight, if I had to start it all afresh i.e newbie blogger , here's what I would have loved to tell myself :

-  Follow your heart and do what makes you happy: Its definitely the first thing I would have said to myself. As I mentioned earlier, I started blogging majorly to help me balance things out on the home front, i.e new baby, family, etc. Deep down within me I wanted some sort of creative outlet, somewhere I could put my thoughts to words,somewhere I could explore and just generally talk about things that interested me, just an extension of me really. However, before I realized it, I had veered off my original path and was doing something totally different and inadvertently carving a ''niche'' for myself without realizing it! 

I am not saying its not okay to have a niche because there is nothing wrong in having one  and it does have its own benefits but I did not feel it was for me.  I would describe myself as a mix of rebellious and unconventional so boxing myself into a corner by focusing on a specific area left me feeling bored and I lost interest in no time hence the long break. 

So, for the past couple of months since I returned to blogging, I have blogged solely about my interests. It doesn't feel so contrived anymore and I appreciate the freedom of being able to express myself . its been out with the ''niche'' and in with the ''interests'' and if I had to , I would describe myself as a blogger of many interests and my blog as a general content blog with something for everyone.

- Give it Time: Everything good requires time...and effort. In my early days of blogging, I wanted everything to happen quickly. I mean from engagement, traffic, social media following, monetization etc. Outside of blogging,I am not quite a ''waiting person'' but I soon realized that my impatience was something I had to actively work on. 

Right now I am in a place where I realise that all of the things that I wanted for my blog requires not just fulfilling the''effort and working at it'' side of things but it also requires copious levels of patience because with blogging there is no magic recipe for success, Time and patience is all you need so K.E.E.P C.A.L.M  and  B.L.O.G  O.N 

Image Source: Google

- Don't Compare and Contrast because you are not in competition with anyone:  ...except yourself.  That's right!  This is something I have always told myself even prior to blogging. I am not a competitive person so I take everything in my own stride. I do not seek to outdo anyone other than myself  because I realise the only competition I need is within me.  When it comes to blogging , it is exactly what it is, blogging and nothing more! 

There have been times when I have visited other blogs for a bit of idea and inspiration but that's about it. I always say a little bit of healthy competition is okay if it works for you and from a blogging perspective that will be in terms of motivating and inspiring you to put up better posts than the last one you have written. But if you find that you begin to put so much pressure on yourself to be better than the next blogger then you need to pause and reflect before you lose your identity.   

Above anything else, blog for your self and for what you believe in; Stop comparing...start blogging!

Engage- Interact- Repeat: I honestly wish I knew this earlier ! Looking back now, the saying that no man is an island was so apt to my situation back then. What was I thinking, hoping that people would keep stumbling on my blog and helping themselves to my blog posts? Ha!   

Now I do appreciate the importance putting my blog out there and I never hesitate to utilize the various social media platform available for such opportunities. Sometimes I chide myself for not engaging more and I often put it down to my introverted nature but of course I do not see the need to put so much pressure on myself than necessary, so I take things easy and go with my flow.

Networking, engaging with readers, i.e responding and appreciating comments, engaging with other blogs and just keeping these actions locked on constant repeat does go a long way not just for blog growth but think self confidence and morale booster too.

Interact-Engage-Repeat
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Never give up! : You really should be proud of yourself and what you have achieved on your blog because not everyone has a flair for writing. Not everyone is interested in putting their thoughts to words or sharing their opinion in the manner in which you put yours out there so well done!   

I remember when I struggled with content continuity and the niche I found myself in, back then, I experienced more ''bloggers block'' ( yeah, bloggers struggle with what to write as well, its not exclusive to writers alone) even though I had so much time on my hands. I just simply lacked ideas, whereas these days I struggle more with finding the time to put up content for the many ideas I have - such irony of life! 

Don't forget I said it takes time, so if you find yourself fizzling out, its ok to take a break but keep it in mind never to give up.  Run out of ideas? Take a good look around you, the internet, friends, family, work etc. There is definitely something that is bound to catch your attention which you can capture ideas from. Revamp your blog, redesign your blog, re-brand your blog, something is surely bound to get you back on track but it all boils down to you not giving up! so never forget that.

...So don't give up!
Image Source: Google

...And on a final note
Doing things the same way as others will mean losing your individuality. Like everything else, blogging requires a bit of individual approach and  personal touch so if you choose to be a niche blogger or a multi interest blogger like me, ensure you do not lose your personality because that is the uniqueness that makes you stand out.

You might find that some of the things I have talked about resonates with your blogging journey or it doesn't at all, the bottomline is - Just do you!

You have probably realized by now that there might come a time when you will be pretty much faced with making decisions, taking next steps or  probably just starting afresh but definitely not quitting.

Take some time out, reflect and ask yourself the question '' what would I do differently?''

Catch up soon! x

Review: HP ENVY 4527 ALL-IN-ONE PRINTER

It's been a while since we had any reviews here and I have to admit the fault is all mine! I have just been too busy with other personal things and as such barely had the time to look up new campaigns etc. However, things are easing up a bit and I do look forward to sharing my ideas and honest opinions on a broad spectrum of EVERYTHING, so watch this space!

Straight to business shall we? Good! Its all about the HP Envy 4527 All-in-one printer. To start with, I would refer to myself as a tech savvy person but perhaps if you ask my husband and kids am probably thinking they would refer to me as the perfect gadget junkie, or how else do you explain all the cables,chargers etc in my living room which extends to the bedroom and every other room that has a socket in the house? *sigh!*
Plus my inability to part with old stuff means there is a constantly rising stack of gadgets. I am still struggling with the idea of having a car boot sale or just holding on to these items,who knows what might become treasure tomorrow? *Think collectors item!*

 Coming from me this might sound like a surprise but  I have got to say there are some gadgets I have had to constantly question my need for but others I knew from the get go would be an absolute value and one of such is the HP Envy 4527 All-in-one printer.

About the HP Envy 4527 All-in-one Printer
Just like the name implies, it a printer for all times and seasons and by that I mean this printer is not just limited to printing,copying or scanning documents but it easily prints pictures too. It is a wireless  and easy to use touch screen printer,capable of easily connecting to WiFi and affords you the opportunity to easily print high quality photos directly from your smart phones or tablets.

My experience with the HP Envy 4527 All-in-one Printer
TO start with I have to say this is one of the easiest gadgets I have had to set up,I did not have to refer to the manual for once.  Once plugged, it was simply ''touch and go'', via the on screen display feature it provided  set up instructions including a step by step guide on how to load the ink cartridges .
The printer is quite aesthetic and makes a nice and decent addition to my home.

Its such a versatile little gadget that didn't let me down when I put it to varied work and leisure tasks  i.e printed,scanned some documents and also printed some coloured pictures.

 I particularly love the fact that the printer is so compact and takes up very minimal space. If I had to compare it to my previous printer in terms of design, functionality and feature , I would give the HP ENVY 4527 All-in-one printer consistently top marks,it definitely ticks most boxes for me.

I also love the fact that it is surprising quiet, I mean with my previous printer, it almost seemed like there was the 'hesitation' of whether to print or not with the constant clicking sound! Its not so with the HP Envy 4527 printer, it prints at the flick of a button, it just prints...no hesitant clicking sounds!

Apart from the fact that that it is a wireless printer, when it came to printing pictures from my phone, I realised I didn't necessarily have to connect to my wifi or any networks to do so. Once linked to phone I simply followed the on screen instructions and in no time the printer was churning out my pictures...just like that high res photos printed right in the comfort of my home .

 I have to also say that the quality of my pictures were just as great as those of the ones I had printed from the photolab in the past. I also had some random documents printed off my email as well with no hassles at all either.

There are still some other features I am yet to try and this includes printing black and white pictures, which the printer is very well capable of doing, automatic two sided printing which I absolutely cannot wait to try and of course the remote printing. I really look forward to being able to send stuff straight to the printer from anywhere, whilst on the go via the printer remote mobile app.

My Verdict
HP ENVY 4527 currently retails at  £44.99 and I have to say for that price the printer is an absolute bargain. With its set up so easy and straightforward , it is surprisingly packed with such powerful and versatile features and capable of meeting your various printing needs.
If you are someone who does a lot of remote working or working from home, you would  probably find this ideal for your day to day routine and I find it functional enough to suit the needs of a very small office too.
The printer definitely works a treat and cannot fault it. I would give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars.


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Please note views and opinion expressed are solely mine.

HP ENVY 4527 All-in-one printer from theinsiderseu #hpprinters campaign

Couch Chat: Coping with Depression, Anxiety and the related

Dealing with Depression
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A couple of weeks ago I read about  the demise of Amy Bleuel a promising young lady and strong advocate for mental health issues. She was the founder of project semi colon ; a not for profit mental health initiative. She was also the brain behind the extremely popular semi colon tattoo that trended on social media for quite a significant period of time, to stir a further awareness of mental health challenges bordering around depression, suicide and self harm.

Amy drew strength from what would ordinarily have drained her will to live, her father's demise(and the circumstances in which he passed away) and other personal life struggles she had contended with and overcome. She started project semi colon as a mark of respect to her father, providing what became a strong advocating platform for various mental health issues. Just like the semi colon in writing (or Literature if you prefer)  the semi colon project reiterated the fact that whatever situation you find yourself, its not the end of you.  No matter how clouded things may seem its ok to definitely keep going because hope, love and comfort can and will abound. In Amy's words ''In literature, an author uses a semicolon to not end a sentence but to continue on. We see it as you are the author and your life is the sentence. You’re choosing to keep going.”

Its very sad to know that Amy lost her own battle with depression but its reassuring to know that her story and the legacy she left behind will continue to live on and I write this post in memory of Amy. Thank you for being such a strong voice and source of inspiration people struggling with their emotional and mental wellbeing.

your story isnt over;not yet
Image source:Google

Over the past few weeks as well, I have continued to come across several personal stories, many of whom have found the courage to seek help and others who have sadly lost the battle.  I really felt compelled to talk about my own personal struggle with depression perhaps not so much in details but as form of respect and support for anyone going through the struggle alone. I understand that it might feel like a personal struggle no one understands but please know you are not alone. I realised that quite a lot of people struggle with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues but there is already so much stigma associated with these conditions making it such a battle to reach out for help support. However, its about time we all understood mental wellbeing is just as important as physical well being which is why I feel its important to share my personal experience as well.

Google Image

Coping with Depression:My Experience
Its been close to four years but it always feels so fresh in memory. I recall those ''cloudy'' periods in my life  when everything seemed like a haze and it just felt like it had to end. I had no inkling of what had to end but I knew something had to give. I knew what it felt like but I struggled to put it to speech even though the words constantly played in my head.  Sometimes it felt like I was stuck in a maze and there was just no exit. Other times ,I felt like I was trapped in a can of bubbles, I wanted to be free but I didn't know how to set myself free. Other times, i felt like recoiling into a world I had created in my head,the feelings were emotional draining and left me empty most times.
I was surrounded by so many people most especially my beloved family but I felt extremely lonely and alone, I struggled to share how I felt but I dreaded the hurt, fear, backlash and mockery that would come from it.I feared I would be misunderstood. To the rest of the world,I functioned as a normal human being,capable of loving, living and achieving but within me I fought a silent battle;every minute, every hour,every day. I couldn't bear to speak out for fear of letting my loved ones down, I had quite a handful of people who looked up to me, how dare I portray myself as a weakling!
Because as I came to understand it there was a lot of misconception around depression and mental wellness.  I remember once having a conversation with someone along those lines which broke me further but ironically strengthen my resolve to continue to suffer in silence.  Over several nights, I kept playing the conversation in my head. I tossed in bed, I shed a lone tear and silently questioned my emotional and mental capabilities. I thought of the many times, I would take toilet breaks at work and spend all the time crying and questioning the will to live but would step out afterwards all smiles and ''refreshed''. I thought of my commute back home and how I often longed for a window seat so I could look out of the window and drown myself in tears. I thought of how my mood alternated from happy to sad and often remained that way for a long time, I was unstable, low and on the edge; These unexplained feelings never went away, it was a constant companion. I searched for answers in books, the internet ...just something to help me understand how and why I felt the way I feel and I found the answer. I realised I was depressed and I could fare better with  help, support and guidance..........

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Today, I am in a better place and faring well and am grateful for the help and support I had that made it all possible . Things might not always seem the way I want them to be but I am getting a grasp of life and coming to terms with the fact that sometimes it will get rough  before it gets better and sometimes its plain landslide victory- easy peasy! Such is the beauty of life.
I am learning not to wish my challenges away or recoil into a corner, rather I choose to put in some effort no matter how minimal and I find satisfaction in knowing  I tried,its hard sometimes but still I keep trying!  I am not going to lie by saying its been all pure bliss and happily ever after! Sometimes the past still lurks in the shadows and on days when it feels like am ''slipping'' back I find strength in my personal mantra ''Some days are sunny, Some days are rainy and some days are just a mix of both;I will endeavour to get by''
I am not ashamed to share my story, on the contrary I find comfort in the hope that someone reads this post and realises that they shouldn't have to suffer in silence. If that person is you I want you to know that you are not  a loony, odd, abnormal or alone, there are lots of people going through similar so don't be too hard on yourself.

A few more things you could take away with you:

-You are not WEAK: No matter how you feel,  or however much insensitive comments you have to keep up with be rest assured you are not weak.  You are simply going through a period of life you have no control over. No one has the right to judge you for being human or make you feel less of yourself  just because of what you are going through.

Image source: Google

-Don't  be afraid to seek HELP:  I can understand if you choose to suffer in silence especially if your life seems to be the picture of perfection to the outside world. There is so much misconception about depression and anxiety and its not uncommon to hear people say things like ''oh you'd be fine'', ''snap out of it'!'' ,''...but you don't look depressed'' and all other insensitive remarks.
Still! don't let that deter you,  when you feel like you could do with some help and support don't be held back by anything and if you do find help please don't feel like you are burden. There's people out there who genuinely care and are more than willing to help.

Please speak to someone if you experience any of the above more often than usual.
Image source:Google

-Its not about who YOU are! : Your appearance, social,financial and academic standing ,race,gender or abilities have absolutely nothing to do with depression,anxiety or the related. Its simply no respecter of who you are or what you have achieved. Its doesn't play out like the lottery, or cherry pick so please don't consider yourself a victim. You are going through a phase perhaps not pleasant but definitely through no fault of yours so don't be hard on yourself.  Things will get better with time.

-Identify the CAUSE - tackle the EFFECT:  Whilst the same might not be said for everyone, from personal experience I found that identifying  and come to terms with the ''triggers'' helped me a great deal.  By triggers I mean the root cause of whatever it is you might be going through. I realized that my situation at the time was embedded in a particular situation I thought I could not get over, constant nagging fear and worry is all it took to get me spiraling down. It was such a relief to face my supposed fears just by speaking to someone about my deepest worries in therapy over a period of time. As you get better you might find yourself experiencing those ''trigger moments'' or similar that can cause you to go spiraling down again, don't feel overwhelmed or scared. You have got to remember that you have been through a phase, you can get help, you can get support so don't feel afraid to ask.

Help doesn't necessarily mean Medication: Most people think opening up about their fear, anxieties and depressive feelings automatically translates to either being sectioned or being placed on heavily sedating medication.
NO! No two people are the same just as no two situations are the same. I for instance benefitted from a lot of counselling therapy where I was able to express myself freely,talk about my present worries and concerns for the future. As I slowly eased out of therapy, I buddied up with a very friendly lady who often checked up on me at regular intervals. It was a smooth transition. I found a great support system in my family as well too as I was finally able to open up and carry them along with me during the process. All of the help and support was based on specific assessment and relevance to my individual needs. The first step is seeking help and being rest assured in the fact that whatever help is being offered is of your best interest and wellbeing so please don't feel hesitant to reach out.

 I end this post on a positive note because I feel fulfilled to have spoken about an issue so delicate yet important . I want to thank you for letting me share my thoughts and experience with you and I hope you find one of two things useful. I might not know you in person but I care about your emotional well being and I wish you the best for life's onward journey.
 Allow me to leave you with this last few words  '' Flip over to the next page because your story isn't over;not yet!'' <3



*Post written in honor of Amy Bleuel:  Founder - The Project Semicolon*
Read more about The Project Semicolon HERE
(Image source:Google)

*For free confidential emotional support contact the SAMARITANS HERE

* For help,support and advice with mental health issues contact MIND UK HERE

*Please also get in touch with your GP/Doctor/ health care professional for medical support,advice and help.

                                                                                                                             You are not alone x