Take a shot every time I say the word busy in this post. (But also don’t, because you’ll die.)
Well, here we are… Summer began, I blinked, and suddenly there’s one month left in the year. Furthermore, I’ve been doing this gap year thing for a whopping 6 months. Who knew time went so fast when you actually did things with it? November, in short, has been really intense. However, I really think that I’m starting to find my feet with everything. That may be about to change though… Keep reading for a surprise.
Mentally: it's been a steady climb
I don’t know what happened at the end of October/beginning of November, but I started off this month really low. I was hyper-emotional, felt like I couldn’t do anything right and I was constantly beating myself up about everything. However, now writing this out, I can’t believe that happened in the same month. I’m in a pretty good place right now, excited for the time ahead and just trying to stay focused. Maybe it’s the Christmas spirit, who knows. It just goes to show that mental health isn’t one simple road.
Blog-wise: I've had some fantastic opportunities
I have a weird relationship with my blog. I absolutely love it, I started it as a passion project, and I don’t want to do it full time… However, I can’t help but be a little down on myself whenever I feel like I’m not doing as well as other people similar to me. However, I’m also a firm believer that if you just put your head down and keep working on yourself, eventually you’ll reap your own rewards. This was the first month in a while where I’ve really felt like that worked.
In the middle of November, I ended up in Paris, reviewing a hotel for a post on my blog! The whole time I was there, I could barely fathom that that was what was going on. I say it all the time, but it’s so strange to think that this tiny website that I created on a whim in my first year of University has turned into something that takes me to Paris. As well as that, I’ve been to some amazing events, and have some great things in the works, stay tunes.
When I first started my blog, I was doing it all solely for me. Now, whilst I still am doing it for me, I feel like it matters to more than just me. I work with brands, I have a “readership”, and I actually am out and about doing things because of this little website. It’s so strange but so fulfilling to feel like my hard work is paying off.
Time-wise: things are about to get a whole lot busyer
Remember when I mentioned that I work part-time at the Theatre Cafe in London? Well, for the next 6 weeks over Christmas, I will be working full time there. In all honesty, I’m quite excited about the salary increase with the extra hours, and the work itself isn’t too bad and I like the people I work with. However, I am not quite excited for the new way I’ll have to balance everything.
Last Christmas, I didn’t really get much Christmas blog work, so I assumed that this year would also be a pretty dead time in terms of blog work. Oh, how wrong I was. I’ve been lucky enough to have been offered some pretty cool Christmas collaborations that I’m very excited to work on. However, I now have far less time and far more hours of daylight to actually work on all of it. It’s absolutely fine – I’m good at managing my time and fitting everything in. However, it is going to take some getting used to.
Money and Things
This month I made far less in terms of blog income – most of my emails have been setting up collaborations for the Christmas month ahead. However, I have been to some fun events and had some pretty great gifting collaborations.
"Gifts"
Clothes from Oasis (post soon)
Stay at 25 Hours Hotel
Meal at Creams Cafe
Afternoon tea at Teatulia
Ads
An upcoming hair brand post
Events
Christmas Crafts with Viking Stationary
Moonpig Christmas Event
Cheese tasting with Comte cheese
And that’s all folks! The next month is due to be an incredibly busy one, both in terms of work, blogging and Christmas. However, I’m feeling positive… Watch this space for the December edition!
Lots of love,
Jas xx
I’m glad to hear you’re feeling much better now than at the beginning of the month! Things are looking so positive for you, so I’m glad you’re able to see that now. I admire anyone who blogs alongside a full-time OR a part-time job so best of luck for the next 6 weeks! I’d love to hear how you get on with balancing everything. November was SOOOO hectic for me too – I’m simialr to you in that since Summer, life started going a a million miles an hour but it’s gone so quick because of how busy it’s been! xxx
Thanks so much Jenny! Good luck to you for the rest of the year, I feel you on the hectic of it all!
Jas xx
I’ve been finding life quite hard and hectic these past few months but I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better than at the beginning of the month! It sounds like you’ve had some amazing opportunities this month and I’m excited to see what’s to come in December!
Sorry that you’ve been finding life hard and hectic. Thank you so much! I’m excited to see where December takes me too! Xx
Amazing that you got to go to Paris!!! Congrats ❤️ Your blog is great. Good luck for December x
Thank you so much! Good luck for December to you too xx
You’re scaring me with this whole it’s been six months already thing. Where is the time going please?! Good luck balancing everything over Christmas and pleaseeeee remember to try and do some of that resting/ sleeping stuff that regular folk do at the same time. I’m glad things are going well for you! x
Sophie
Thanks so much Sophie! I will try to rest, although I don’t quite know when… xxx
This is such a lovely blog post and this year has flown by for sure! It’s so nice that you went to Paris, I really want to visit it too!
Ayse x
Thank you! You should definitely go to Paris if you can! Xx
SOunds like it’s been a quick but busy year! Your holiday plans sound fun!
Thank you, it was! xx
I know what you mean about feeling down when you see other people doing better with their blogs, I get that all the time. It sucks
It really does, doesn’t it? xx
How totally awesome for you! This sounds like an amazing year and you have nothing to be down about! So many wonderful collaborations and a trip to Paris. My head would be spinning. And I’m so pleased for you that you’re getting to turn a fun part-time job into a full-time job for the season. It’s fun to be able to make money doing something you really enjoy. And hopefully 2020 will be an exceptional year for you!
Ruth
https://voguefauxreal.com/2019/12/01
Thank you so much! It really is fun to make money doing something you enjoy! Xx