What I'd like to really address is the immense outpouring of support of bloggers and nail addicts on this topic. I'm so glad so many people rose to the occasion, and took a stand against negativity in our nail polish community. If you've followed my blog for awhile you know that it has always been in my best interest to be supportive, empowering, and positive as a blogger and as a friend to my readers. I never want anyone to feel diminished, insecure, or inferior as a person based on what some peoples standards are. As a blogger myself I especially do not want any other bloggers, new bloggers, or potential bloggers to feel that way.
In effort to show that perfection is not mandatory in this blogger world I'm going to show you a mani swatch from one of my first blog posts, and a mani swatch from my most recent blog post.
The picture on the left was from a post on April 28th 2010 and on the post on the right was from this past Friday's post.
Honestly, it took me a heck of a lot of time in these past 2 years to get decent at painting my nails. I'd safely say it took me longer than the average person to start getting better at painting my nails.
You know what helped me improve?
Blogging.
I guarantee you, if I had stopped blogging in April of 2010, I'd still be painting my nails the same way I did back then. I'd say the same if I never blogged. It's through my blogging experience I've learned better painting techniques and better camera skills. I did not stop to learn how to do these things before I made a post. I did not let my lack of skills going into it discourage me from continuing to be a blogger. I learned along the way, and I thank you for sticking with me! Everyone starts somewhere. If you need any inspiration you can look back in my archive at my older posts and do the same of some of your favorite bloggers. You will see none of us were pros at polishing!
There are people who are going to prefer to see things a certain way. There are going to be people who are not going to hold back sharing their opinion on that. As someone who is sensitive myself, and who is sensitive to others feelings that bothers me. There are always more encouraging ways to do things, especially to bloggers who really put a lot of thought, heart, and dedication into our blogs. I'd prefer people be more kind and compassionate, but I can't change people.
What I can do is tell you that there are so many nail lovers and bloggers out there who do not think you need to be perfect polishers, with pristine photos, and 5 star blogs to be accepted and welcomed into the blogging community. Do not let naysayers stifle your joy and passion for nail polish and sharing your photos. I will always be a friend and supportive to all of you. I also promise always to stand up to what I believe is wrong.
Love to you all!
Awesomely well said!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Stephanie! I can always count on your blog for great posts that empower and encourage fellow bloggers and non-bloggers alike. ^_^
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that this is the best post I've read yet on this whole kerfuffle!! Thank you so much for being positive and encouraging-- to all of us!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely and encouraging post! :)
ReplyDeleteWell said girlie! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You have a good head on your shoulders :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Stephanie. It's so sad that something as simple as nail polish can even cause such cattiness and mean comments! I agree that blogging has helped the way I paint my nails. I am by no means perfect at it, but I know that if I stay with it, my techniques will improve and maybe one day, I can have near perfect nails :-P
ReplyDeleteYou're so awesome Stephanie :)). Thank you for this post and for always being so nice and encouraging to new bloggers!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are lovely! I think learning on the go is a great way to go about things. xx
ReplyDeleteWell said!
ReplyDeleteSteph thank you for such a great post. I have only been blogging since April of this year and do sometimes find myself getting discouraged when I see other more established bloggers' nail art and pictures. One thing that always makes me feel better is to to back to these bloggers' first posts. Everyone has to start somewhere and no one busts out of the gate perfect. Looking at the old posts make me think,"If they can do it, so can I".
ReplyDeletePractice helps! Oh and I doooo soooo looooove the pink China Glaze shade - it looks like it might be Ahoy or maybe it's Strawberry Fields? I am a sucker for glass fleck and gold shimmer loaded shades.
ReplyDeleteI think I love you a little more with each of your blog posts. You really put yourself out on your blog and you are refreshingly honest. Thank you for that and thanks for all the great manicures!
ReplyDeleteSteph, what you're saying is so true, and I feel I've been very lucky so far. In fact it's not a month yet since I started blogging, and my makeup swatches really suck. i do paint my nails kina decently but my nail art... well I just started nail art... and I should repeat how lucky of me to find support of the bloggers out there. People whose skills I admire coming to my blog and say "you have potential" and I know is out of kindness! but it really encourages me. You gals out there have always been kind to me even though I know I still have so much to improve!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm made like that, but I simply do not understand why someone would make someone else feel bad about his or hers blogging. It's really ridiculous! This is a hobby for most of us, something that is supposed to bring us satisfaction and not anguish. I'll just add "if do not have anything positive to say, then don't say anything".
Steph, you can always be counted on for encouragement and getting to the heart of what blogging is all about. Thanks for setting an example and being kind, down to earth and real!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post as always Steph! I apparently missed the drama but got caught up on a couple of other blogs that posted as well. I literally cringe when I look at my first posts because, not only were my paint jobs not spectacular, but my nails were so tiny! I definitely learned 'on the job' and I know I would not have improved either if not for blogging. I actually remember I wanted to wait to start the blog, I wanted to grow my nails out more and get better pictures but I just went for it and I'm so glad I did. If I had waited, I might never have started. We definitely shouldn't be trying to stifle or put down anyone, this is supposed to be a fun community. I do have to add that the original author did another post based on the reaction to the original one and she said it was meant to be taken lightly. Too little too late I guess.
ReplyDeleteI am clueless about the drama that has been going on, but people will be who they are, good and bad, so whateva. Glad I missed it. Anyway, I like your posts and you are really down to earth and real and approachable. You have really come a long way in both your paining skills and your photography skills. Your latest pic looks professional and your first one, well... looks like mine. And I am proud of my pics and my manicures even if they aren't perfect. I hope I can learn how to get my manis as pretty as yours in time. You are so positive and encouraging and I am uplifted by your posts. That's why I subbed to you. Only 6 months ago, I didn't even know nail blogs existed and now that I found these, I'm in nail nirvana! So much for my polish addiction. Ha ha. :)
ReplyDelete"painting skills" sorry not paining skills, ha ha. Paining skills are me trying to paint my toenails.
ReplyDeleteAfter looking at how beautifully your nails are painted, I am envious. Okay so could you do a post with pics, a tutorial on how you paint your nails? I looked back to see if you had done one, but the archives are lumped all month by month and not individually titled so I wasn't sure. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAs a blogging and nail art newbie, I blog only to keep a record of what I've tried. Still, knowing that my lack of expertise is technically out there for the world to see, I am somewhat less intimidated thanks to kind words from those whose nails AND blogs are more perfectly polished. I don't feel quite so guilty for using the Internet as a form of personal expression!
ReplyDeleteI love your post! Thank you for your kind words! xx
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