How I Found The Courage to Start a Blog

I didn’t wake up one day with a curated Instagram feed, photographers, and website. So today I want to share with you my story on how I found the courage to start a blog….

Let take you back to my senior year of college. Its fall which means its recruiting season for the business school.  At this time, I make the scary and intentional decision to start a fashion blog. And as October and November go by, I’m in final rounds with Boeing, PepsiCo, and Google. I know my first step into the “real world” is not into the fashion industry, but either the aerospace, consumer goods, or tech industry. So I chose to create Emma’s Edition to make sure that fashion would always have a place in my life.

Here is how I led up to this decision…

One of my internal debates in college was: do I pursue fashion as a hobby or as a career?

I worked retail for a few summers at American Eagle Outfitters, Zebra Club and even Nordstrom. Then I did internships with Providence Health & Services (Health Care/Fundraising), Boeing (Supplier Management/Project Management), Victoria’s Secret PINK (Campus Rep), and PepsiCo (Sales). (LinkedIn)

My background was incredibly diverse but my passion for fashion was consistent through all my experiences. So when I found the #ootd on Instagram and discovered the blogging community, I started going back and forth about the idea of starting a blog.

But of course came the doubt and fears about starting a blog…

Here are a few things that popped into my mind was: who would even read this? And why would anyone even care? I also wondered if people might judge me for posting all these photos of myself – would they wonder if I’m self-centered? Or trying to be someone I’m not?

At the time, I really wondered if people would stop to read or see something from a Filipino-American college student who lived in Seattle. When people think of Seattle, they usually think of the rain, coffee, or tech – not fashion. And when people think of Filipino-Americans, they usually think of karaoke, nursing, or food – not a style blogger.

And on top of that, it is incredibly scary to put yourself out there online. The internet can be a mean place (but it can also be incredibly supportive.)

To overcome this fear, I really took the time to ask myself the purpose why I wanted to blog.

I knew I was moving into a corporate career that may not give me the creative freedom I needed in my life so I knew I needed a creative outlet. Shopping and styling outfits would also be a part of who I am regardless if I put it out there or not. So I decided I had nothing to lose, because I would shop, style, and need a creative outlet anyway – whether or not people thought of Seattle as a fashionable place.

My mom also always gave me the advice to be strong and be resilient. She always encourages me to not shy away from new (career) opportunities and to take them head on. So even though final round interviews and starting a blog were both scary endeavors, I decided to leap into both experiences even if I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be.

So when I signed and committed to PepsiCo in December of my senior year, I knew I had to blog. I had to make room for fashion in my life because it brings me so much joy.

A slow but steady start…

Between classes, final round interviews, and trying to enjoy my senior year, my first year of blogging was me maybe making one blog post a month. Even in my second year of blogging, I spent more time trying to survive the real world and adjust to a corporate job than I did thinking about blogging. Finally in year 3, when I was more stable and secure in my career, I feel like I got into my groove. But I still battled with these doubts and fears – especially since the blogging industry has exploded and the numbers make it so easy to compare yourself with others. I even felt really down when I got shadow banned this past year. But again, I have to ask myself why I choose to blog.

And again, it’s because I need a creative outlet, I shop, I style outfits, and now I’ve found my voice in the fashion/blogging industry. I love it because I get to share cute outfits but also share what’s happening in my life. Blogging to me is an extension of my life – a place to share my writing, advice, and life lessons.

So if you’re wondering whether or not you should start a blog, ask yourself:

Why do you want to do it? Are you passionate about a certain area of your life that you feel inspired to speak up about it? Do you need a creative outlet? Do you feel called to be a voice for your community?

Whatever your reason is, know that you do have value and your voice does matter. Believe in yourself because you never know where life will take you. Be intentional with your next step and put yourself out there – especially if you choose to start a blog!

 Shop my look:

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Why did you choose start a blog? What inspired you or led you to start your blog? Or are you thinking about starting a blog soon?

For more blogging tips – explore my “Blogging Tips” tab on my website! I have a post on what to do with photography , how to reach out to brands, and more!!

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Emma

Photos: Holly Phan