Do We Put Pressure On Ourselves As Bloggers? | Just Add Ginger

Over the past few weeks, I actively chose to take a break from blogging and YouTube. There were so many things going on in other areas of my life that I just needed to focus on myself for a little bit and everything that I needed to do. In my head, I was ready for the break. I needed the space to digest all the things that were going on. Trying to fit everything in just seemed practically impossible, and physically, I just wouldn't have had the time I needed to make space for blogging. 

But I don't think I realised how guilty I would feel. I felt like I had abandoned my blog, and left it behind as I carried on my merry way. I felt like a fraud. I felt like a failure. 

But should I really have felt that way? I think for all of us (correct me if I'm wrong) there is some sense of obligation. I know for me, if I've been on a roll for a while in terms of the number of posts I upload, and then this number decreases, I am overcome with a sense of guilt. If I upload an Instagram picture that just doesn't quite fit in with my theme, it is instantly taken down. 

But why? 

Why does it really matter? Will people really mind? And why should I even care? Surely being a blogger is about sharing things we love, that we are passionate about. But that shouldn't get in the way of life. Especially if we do not do it full-time. Maybe if I was a full-time blogger type, this sense of pressure would be justified. But I'm not. So what am I trying to prove? 

It can be so easy to get caught up in the explosion that has been the blogosphere over the past few years. To place yourself up against those who are more popular/more successful/more "out there", when really, who we are as bloggers should stem from who we are as people. Rich posts that are well-constructed and true to our own style is what should be important. Not conforming to archetypes, in any sense of the word. If we are proud of the content we put out there, I think it shows, and if we publish a post just for the sake of hitting a self-imposed 'three posts a week' rule, well, I think that's pretty obvious too! 

It's time to go back to why we all started blogging in the first place. In the grand scheme of things, taking a break doesn't matter. Not being present at every single Twitter chat doesn't matter. Upping the saturation and applying all the filters on an Instagram post doesn't matter. What does matter is that our passion, our love, and our spirit is still there. Because, when it comes down to it, for it is that which sets us apart.

Do you feel under pressure as a blogger?

From Little Acorns | Just Add Ginger

Lips: MAC - Dubonnet

Nails: OPI - Lincoln Park After Dark

Eyes: Too Faced - Chocolate Bar Palette

In just a few months, my blog will be turning four....four! I can hardly believe it. From what started as a hobby so that I could maintain my creativity has grown in to such a big passion, and a massive part of my life and who I am. 

Keep an eye out over the next few months for a Just Add Ginger renaissance. I am so excited for the adventures to continue, and can't wait to see where 2016 takes me! 

Be a shepherd. Not a sheep. | Just Add Ginger

In the past few years, blogging, YouTube and social media have absolutely rocketed in popularity. As a blogger myself, I of course, love having this outlet. My own little place on the internet where I can share what I love, my thoughts, feelings, and just take note of whatever is going on in my brain. It's a journal. It's a diary. It's an extension of my personality. It is an extension if me.

But lately, it has become really concerning to me just how bitchy the blogging community can be. I've mainly stayed out of the way of it. I'm a little bit out of the targeted demographic the YouTube & blogging "Superstars" aim for, and I'm at that age now where if negativity was to ever be aimed at me, I really wouldn't care. 

Blogging is all about self-expression. And I am all for that. As long as a post isn't offensive, or could potential cause harm to anybody, I believe that everybody is well and truly entitled to their own opinion. It happens all the time. But because social media seems so up-close and personal, people take these opinions to heart immediately and sometimes far too much. I mean, how well do you really know a person? Bloggers, vloggers and YouTubers alike have made the decision to share a part of themselves with the world. We don't know who is watching. Who is reading. But we are willing to share our thoughts for the pure fact that we love what we do. If we didn't, we wouldn't do it. But just because we upload a blog post, a video,, or a vlog, it doesn't mean that anybody reading or watching truly knows us. Not really. 

That's why the nastiness in our honesty upsets me. It sends a bad message. Are we just supposed to follow the flow of opinions and keep ours to ourselves just to keep everybody happy? Aren't we allowed to speak up? Just imagine it. A word where everybody had the same review of a skincare products, loved exact;y the same films, and wore exactly the same clothes....How exciting would that world be? 

We as bloggers should be allowed to write in truth and honesty. I am always 100% honest in my writing. Because to be untruthful to your readers is to lie to yourself. And what good would that do? Just because I don't wear the same clothes as you, listen to the same music as you, follow the same YouTubers and blogs as you, doesn't mean I am a horrid person, or my opinions is less valid. It just means I have my own personal taste. And I'm sticking to that. 

People are going to disagree. It's human nature. Personalities clash. Opinions differ. And that's okay. We are not all cut from the same cloth. But taking it too far is not okay. It completely defeats the purpose of sharing our thoughts. There is no nee to "gang up," be mean or alienate a blogger or YouTuber just because they have shared their thoughts. I don't particularly like Breaking Bad, 1D or celery.... Am I suddenly going to start getting hate for sharing that piece of me?

If you want to tell us you don't like something we have written, do it tactfully. Don't be bitchy or curse at us. Don't just join in because other people are doing it. Commenting something like "I'm sorry, but I don't agree with you" sounds a lot better than "I don't *&$%£ agree with you." At the end of the day, negativity will only attract negativity. And that is not what blogging is about. 

I won't say what started all of these thoughts. But if you know me in person you can probably guess. I woke up at 5am this morning thinking about this post, and how I was going to phrase it, so I hope it now translates onto screen okay. The whole point that I'm trying to make is that it is our right as bloggers or YouTubers to have our own opinion. There is no need to jump on a bandwagon just because everybody else is on there and you don't want to get left behind. Take a different route. It'll make you stand out from the crowd. Don't follow the herd. It is your opinion and your outlook on the world that makes your blog unique. 

At the end of the day our opinions on beauty, music, food or fashion may differ. But as bloggers we should embrace this. Because if we all become sheep, the blogosphere would become a very boring place indeed.

#AtoZChallenge / All About Me

I believe the last time I took part in the A to Z Challenge was in 2013....2013! That seems like a lifetime away. Well, as soon as I saw Sarah from Saloca in Wonderland post about it, I knew I had to do it again this year! My blog is turning 3 this Spring, and I wanted to set myself a challenge that would really show my little toddler-blog some love!

For the whole month of April - excluding Sundays - I will be uploading a blog post for the A to Z Challenge. Some days I may post additional content, so for the sake of any confusion, all blog posts for the challenge will start "#AtoZChallenge." I haven't chosen a theme for the posts, because, quite frankly, I love talking about lots of different things. I have my fingers in so many interest-filled pies that it would be impossible for me to pick just one for this challenge. 

So here goes...my first #AtoZChallenge post for 2015

All About Me

To kick start us off, I thought I'd introduce myself with five random facts. Break down some boundaries and let you in on a few facts about me. I treat my blog as if I am talking to my closest friends, so I want to invite you to get to know the girl behind Just Add Ginger. 

My name is Jacqueline, although on my blog, I go by the alias Ginger (taken from my blog title.) When I started my blog, I was quite nervous at exposing too much information about myself, but as the years have gone on, I have come to love my blog and the community so much that I've become a lot more open and decided to share my name with the world instead of using a façade (plus it's less confusing.)

I live with my fiancé and crazy cat called Dave on Merseyside. Although I am originally a Southerner, I have been completely adopted my the North and have lived up here for 8 years. I don't think I could ever move back down to London. It's just too busy for me. 

We got engaged (that is my fiancé and I, not Dave) in July last year whilst we were in Paris. It was the most romantic moment and just thinking about it now is making me teary-eyed. Wedding planning was stressful to start with, but we got so much done in the beginning that now I just can't wait to get married! 

One of my favourite places in the whole world is de Efteling in The Netherlands. It's a fairy tale theme park that is completely untouched by commercialism and a complete escapism for me. I have to visit every few years, otherwise I get really depressed. Like, this is not an understatement. Too long without an Efteling visit and I get seriously crabby. 

I don't have a lot of friends, but the ones that I do have mean the absolute world to me and I would do anything for them. It makes me sad when I can't spend time with them, and when we see each other, it's always like no time has passed. They know a side of me that very few do, and I know I can tell them anything. They are not really my friends...they are members of my family, and I honestly couldn't tell you where I'd be without them! 

....So, there you go! Hello #AtoZChallenge. It's good to see you again after so long. I can't wait to spend the month talking to you about all the things I love, getting to know others embarking on this adventure, and generally having a fabulous time! 

Psst.... If you're doing the A to Z Challenge too, leave me a comment saying "Hi!" 

New Lighting. New Blogging | Just Add Ginger

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

Our house is horrendous for lighting.

So, Boyfriend ordering me a set of soft-box lighting was - in my eyes - the most lovely gesture ever. It shows that he really takes an interest in my blogging and YouTube and really wants to help improve my video and photo quality. (The number of times he has seem me curse over turning grey/blue/yellow/orange/red in videos is just ridiculous. 

Having new lighting means that I don't have to wait for the sun to be in the perfect place. I can film at any time I like. And in whatever weather condition. I've turned our little "box office" in to my new filming spot, and even though the lights take up most of the floor space, they make one hell of a difference! 

I've already filmed my first video using the lights (I just couldn't help myself,) and can't wait to film more videos and take pictures to see how much things are improved. I feel like a new burst of inspiration has come over me now, and I can't wait to grow from strength to strength! 

#Blogtember Day Eight: The Writing Process Tour Tag

I was tagged by Sarah (Saloca in Wonderland) to do this tag post. Writing has always been (and always will be) a massive part of me. I studied Creative & Professional Writing at university, then went on to do a Masters in Creative Writing....Writing and me. We go together like broccoli and cauliflower. 

So, if we are all sitting comfortable, then I shall begin....

1. What am I working on? 

For the past few years my main focus has been on blogging. I spent quite a long time suffering from writer's (not blogger's) block, so having complete creative freedom to write about exact;y what I want, when I want and how I want has been amazing. I have also started contributing articles to Women Make Waves. I have been so inspired since starting this new branch of my creativity, and hearing all the positive feedback about my contributed articles that my writerly confidence is just growing and growing. 

Eventually I hope to go back to my love and finish some pieces that I have started but taken a break from. Mama Ginger is desperate for me to send things off to try and get published, and MG, you'll be pleased to hear that my confidence is nearly in that place! *starts the Hallelujah chorus*

2. How does my work differ from others of it's genre?

I don't know to what extend it differs, but I always write in my true voice. The narrative that goes through my head when I blog comes out completely unfiltered on the screen. That's why I can't plan what I'm going to say, I just have to say it in the moment. I think it used to drive my lecturers a bit potty because, when they would ask me where I saw a story going, I'd give them a weak smile, a shake of the bead and say I have absolutely no idea.

It's so important that I keep that sense of self in my writing. My blog is my baby and an extension of my personality, and the same for my writing. So if I wasn't true to myself I would only be betraying who I really am. 

3. Why do I write?

For practically my whole life I have written, or made up stories, or acted. Creativity is me and I am creativity. I don't want to write. I need to write. My imagination is just so vast and unfiltered and beautiful that I have to let everything out and express myself. In whatever medium. Be it a story, a poem, a blog post or a list. Writing is in my veins and I don't ever see myself stopping. 

4. How does my writing process work?

To be honest it depends on what I'm working on. For my blog I have a list of things I want to write about and, depending on how I feel at that moment in time, I will chose a subject from the list and start writing. I stick on some TV, or Netflix, music, or an audio book and just absorb myself in writing.

If I'm working on a story I have to lock myself away and just write. Because when creativity and inspiration arrives I don't know how long that will last. Sometimes it will be ten minutes. Or an hour. Or a whole day. I have to listen to what my inner-author is telling me and go with the flow. Because if I push it too much, my writing gets clunky and stops being me.

Thank you Sarah for tagging me to do this post. (Check out her post here) I now tag: 

Words By Hannah Rosalie 

GlitZeeGlam 

SparklyShellCosmetics

Beauty in Beta 

and all of you who are reading this post right now! 

The Shine On Award

I was very kindly nominated for the Shine On Award by the gorgeous Zee at GlitZeeGlam (thank you so much Zee.)  

The Rules

You must display the Shine on Award logo in your blog post

You must acknowledge the blogger who nominated you within your post and include a link to their blog

You must share 7 random and interesting facts about yourself

You must nominate 15 bloggers that you adore and think deserve the award, linking their blog in your post

You must contact your chosen bloggers to let them know that they have been nominated.

Facts About Me

 I have never played the lottery. 

I used to think that if a character in a TV show died in the show, they died in real life too. 

I used to talk to the weatherman on the news thinking that he could hear me. 

I am a milk fiend. 

I have really small hands. 

One of my best friends I've known since I was four. So we've been friends for 23 years! (How have you put up with me Saunders?) 

When I was 10 I was on Nickelodeon. 

Nominations 

I think the following blogs are so deserving of this award. I love reading them! They deserve it so much. I know I have only got 10 nominations, but these are the blogs I really enjoy reading and are worthy of recognition for all the love and hard work they put in to their blogs.

Beauty in Beta 

Words by Hannah Rosalie 

Saloca in Wonderland

SparklyShell Cosmetics 

Bella Ella Life 

Bethany Worrall 

Beauty Lover's Notes 

Times2Style

Organized Jen

Frances Cassandra

The Liebster Award

Thank you so much to Sarah (Saloca in Wonderland) for nominating me for a Liebster Award! 

...Don't worry, I'm not going to make a speech or anything! *wink*

The Liebster Award. 

The Liebster Award is given by bloggers, to fellow bloggers who have 200 followers or less on Bloglovin. It gives bloggers who have a smaller following to gain a little bit more exposure and recognition in blogging community, and means that we can show our support for each other and our shared passion. 

The Rules.

. List 11 facts about yourself. 

. Answer the 11 questions posed to you by your nominator.

. Ask 11 questions to 9 blogs with 200 or less followers on Bloglovin. 

. Visit those 9 blogs & inform them that they have been nominated.

11 Facts About Me. 

1) I am a Southern Girl (Hertfordshire) living in a Northern World (Liverpool.)

2) I love Cadbury's Caramel chocolate. 

3) I am a really competitive person....mostly with myself. 

4) I have a Masters in Creative Writing. 

5) When I was younger, I wanted to be an Egyptologist. 

6) Anne Boleyn is my favourite historical figure. 

7) I drive a Toyota called Princess Danni. 

8) I love to sketch. 

9) Thor or The Incredible Hulk are my favourite superheroes. 

10) I'm scared of spiders....why the need for so many legs? 

11) I wish I owned a pair of Louboutins.

Questions asked by Sarah. 

Reach for the nearest book, open it to a random page - what's the top line? 

"Their names were Edna Bauder and Pam Steigerwald..." (Linwood Barclay, The Accident)

What would your last meal be?

Probably Boyfriend's homemade lasagne. 

What's your favourite Disney movie? 

Sleeping Beauty or Beauty and the Beast

Have you ever broken a bone? 

No, not yet (touch wood.) 

What's a lyric from your favourite song? 

"Black and blue. And who knows which is which, and who is who." 

If you close your eyes right now and go back to a particular moment in your life - what would it be? 

Going to the Brit Floyd concert with Boyfriend and falling in love with the song above (Us & Them - Pink Floyd.)

Who is your favourite historical figure? 

Anne Boleyn (hehe.) 

If you could trade places for the opposite sex for one day - what would you do?

Go to the pub and see what guys really talk about when girls aren't around. #Iconstantlyponderthis 

Sweet or savoury? 

Totally depends on my mood...right now, savoury. 

Who would play you in a movie of your life? 

Well.... I've been told I look like Naomi Watts, so probably her. 

What's the most recent thing you bought that you regret? 

Hmm... I don't really know....maybe a dress I bought for NYE because it doesn't really fit me the way I remember it. 

Questions to my Nominees. 

Why do you blog? 

What's one motto/quote/phrase that you live by? 

What's your earliest memory? 

What are the 3 closest things in front of you right now?

What food could you eat forever and not get sick of? 

Who are your 4 dream dinner guests? 

What's your guiltiest pleasure?

Hit shuffle on your music library, what song pops up? 

You build a time machine. Which point in history do you visit first? 

My Nominees for the Liebster Award. 

Ginger and Cream 

Ginger And The Blonde 

Erinlouisehunt

Lillies and Love

Fashion Dough

Get The Skinny ¦ London Lifestyle Blog 

These are the blogs I nominate. I know you are meant to put 9 names forward, but these are the ones I could find on my feed with 200 or less Bloglovin followers. 

Blogtember 2013: Life Lately

A "life lately" post. What you're up to, how you're feeling, how you're doing on your goals, etc. Bonus points for great photos!

I'm not going to lie....

I am SO happy right now. 

For a long time I felt really unsettled. I felt as though I was stuck in a bit of a rut, but lately, I have really gotten myself out of it. I feel like I don't stop now. I work Monday to Friday in a job that I absolutely love, I'm going to college to gain my Playwork Level 3, I'm really involved in my blogging, and I've been spending loads of time (probably too much time) re-organising, re-designing, and generally giving my house a bit of much needed TLC and sorting. 

Boyfriend has been & is super-busy at the moment, which means that we only really have been spending time together at the weekend. It makes it really special, and come Thursday, I start to get really excited that it's nearly the weekend and that I'll be seeing him. 

I'm not really one to usually get overly-gushy in public, but he is the main reason I am so content and at ease right now. I am one very lucky Ginger to have found him. 

I've also been spending lots more time with my friends. Because I don't live near my family, having a really strong circle of friends is really important to me because they are my family up here, and more recently, my Northern "family" have become so much stronger. Whether it's mine and Saloca's Pudding Clubs (which have recently become filled with excitable talk about blogging and decorating discussion,) spending time with Boyfriend's family, or going to visit Spotto, time I spend with my friends - which always was so important to me - has now become even more special!

I also feel that my style has really come in to its own. I have become a lot more experimental with fashions over the past year, and now I think I've found a style that I really like and works well for me. Stering away from jeans, which have a habit of not fitting me properly (I have a really hollow back,) I've been going for skater skirts, dresses, and fit and flare styles a lot. I've also not been buying so much, but instead, going for clothes I know I can wear for both day and night events. This means that I can save more money for the home improvements I'm planning....

....which has also been on my mind a lot lately. 

I've finally almost moved things in to my office. My DVDs are nicely arranged on a stand, all my stationary is collated in one place, as are my technological gear for blogging/vlogging, and my loft is empty of everything that isn't mine (finally!) I have a proper place to store all my beauty products and jewellery, and I've put all of my clothes into categories and they now have their own areas in my wardrobe/chest of drawers. My bedroom is almost unrecognisable! Here are the things on my "To-Do" List: 

• Buy wall sticker for bedroom.
• Find storage boxes to categorise my make up 
• Source wood to build bar in living room. 

Yes. That's right. I'm going to have a BAR downstairs. I really enjoy having people round, so a bar would be a perfect addition to my living space. It probably won't happen until the end of the year/next year, but I am so excited! I'm going to call it 

"The Ginger Bear" 

What do you think? 

Ginger's Jollies: Goodbye...for now!

Bonjour Universe!!

For the next 3 WEEKS I am going to be on my holidays, and as much as I'd love to blog everyday, I don't know if I'll be able to! :(

When I return, I shall be back with a vengeance!

Yesterday was so hot and beautiful! Here are some pictures :D

Hello World. This is Jackie calling!

Okay. So....

I'm a bit nervous. I'd been thinking about creating a new blog for sometime, but had never had the confidence (or time) to set one up. I had one a few years ago, but I went into it completely unprepared, and found that I had not very much to say.

But no longer.

I wanted to create a blog that shared little pieces of my world with the universe...cooking, fashion, music, travel, film reviews...things that I enjoy and like to talk about! And now seems a great time to set one up again. I've got back into cooking after a major hiatus, I'm being more adventurous with fashion, and in just over a month I'm going on an amazing holiday to Canada. Woohoo!!

This first entry is just intended to be a little introduction to the blogging universe. I don't think you need to know too much about me - yet. I think my blog will say enough for me rather than me shouting from the rooftops everything you need to know about me.

Although...I should probably give a few little bits away...just so you know what to expect from Just Add Ginger. Here are the top 5 need to know facts:

1) I love shoes. (love might be an understatement) I LOVE shoes!

2) I like to travel; holidays, girly weekends, city breaks, anything.

3) Cooking brings me joy. I'm particularly good at baking (if I do say so myself), but trying new dishes is really exciting too; particularly those that involve;

                               a) Cheese

                               b) Meat

                               c) Asparagus 

4) There is nothing more important to me in life than those I care about. Love in all aspects is so important to me, and I always try to go above and beyond my own expectations to be there for those who truly matter in my life!

5) I have a few random phobias. I am scared of spiders (not so random), stairs (a little bit random), and bones (very random). Is there anybody else out there who has a skeletal phobia? Or am I completely alone in this?

Judging by the rambling musings in this one post I think you've pretty much guessed I am a little bit random. Whilst I was studying for my degree, I used to be asked all the time for what was happening next in my stories (I did a writing degree,) and I used to be like "I don't know." Things spill out from my head and onto the page. My fingers are the vessels for my imagination.

Blah! Oops. This is so long already.

But one last thing...

I'll try and blog as frequently as I can (at least once a week). I am quite busy, and get really tired during the week because of work, but this is something I really want to do, so I just wanted to put a disclaimer out there to expect the unexpected in blog-posting-irregularity-ness! Yeah!

Wow! If you've stayed reading this long, you deserve a medal!

Until next time...