After publishing my last blog post on Things to Do and Eat in St. Louis (click on it and check it out), I realized that something had to change for me to be able to become more consistent with creating content for my blog and Instagram. I began to think about the best ways to organize my thoughts and accomplish more of the smaller goals I have for my blog. To be honest, I felt a lot of pressure when I did not post multiple times a month. Not posting for weeks after dropping a great post, made me feel like I was not doing my best with my blog. I was trying to figure out the best thing to post on my blog for September, but I decided to remain on my hiatus for a bit and instead work to figure out the real direction that I wanted to take with my lifestyle blog. Before getting into the direction I have decided to take, let me first mention what’s important to me in content creating.
Behind the Scenes of Kaila with an E
For me, it’s all about quality and authenticity when it comes to content creating.
This is why I have been missing in action on the forefront for a little bit. However, I have been working behind the scenes trying to figure out how to make my blog even better. I have been figuring out how I can set myself up for the vision I have for this blog. Those thoughts about my goals and vision for my blog did not come alone, though. I started to feel fear creeping back in and started doubting myself like “maybe blogging isn’t for me,” or maybe I’m not good enough to lead a lifestyle that would allow me to become a lifestyle and travel blogger.
I would scroll Pinterest and Instagram daily, looking at other bloggers who had such great websites and feeds of all the cool things they were getting the chance to do. After evaluating my blog and reading old posts like my post on Breaking up with Fear (click on it and check it out), I realized the only difference between where I want to be and where I currently am is my mindset (belief system), which influences my actions and in turn, my level of consistency.
Long ago, someone once told me, “your belief system produces your lifestyle.” My belief system that my blog would not grow because I felt like I did not have much to offer has been stopping me from putting all my effort like I am used to doing with everything else. As I change my mindset and turn my can’t to can, I believe that this blog will be a life transformer for me in so many ways. With that being said, let’s talk about the new direction/ focus of my blog.
The Direction of Kaila with an E
Before sharing about my blog’s new direction, let me say thank you to those who are currently a part of my squad, who have shared their thoughts about my post with me, for leaving comments on my post and Instagram, and for just being patient with me. Just know it’s only going to get better from here.
My new direction for Kaila with an E is for it to be a lifestyle blog with a foundation that is centered on my growth through me spreading love and blooming where I am planted. Also, to encourage and inspire everyone to grow where they are planted and not allow current hard situations to determine your future destination. Life is what you make it!
This new direction for my lifestyle blog is to highlight what is important to me as I connect with my subscribers and share my growth process.
During my hiatus, I sat with a blank sheet of paper and started contemplating how I would narrow down the type of lifestyle blogger I wanted to be and lifestyle content I wanted to create. I know I wanted to share content that was authentic and really talked about people and things that are important to me. I started to write down things I LOVE and realized they all could fit under four broad categories––– family (which includes my friends), faith, fun, and focus on self-love and development.
Family and Friends
My family and friends are an essential part of who I am, and I love to show my love for them through celebrating and supporting them for just being born (birthdays) and doing things they love (basketball, music, drawing, hair, designing, etc.). I’m all about supporting and encouraging friends as they pursue their dreams.
Faith
My faith in God is what I continue to lean on since God knows the big picture, and He has remained the constant variable in life’s equation. Fun fact: my first tattoo was actually the word “faith”, which, if you look at it, also forms a cross. It is a daily reminder that I don’t have to know how the story ends because I know the storyteller. My faith in Jesus is what keeps me rooted throughout the ups and downs in life.
Fun
My fun from trying new things and seeing new places is important because of the memories created. I will be making city guides and other interactive guides as I check out various sites and find the best gems in these locations. Also, I love aesthetically pleasing things and also finding cool murals for photo and video opportunities with friends. On top of that, I also plan on undertaking more DIY projects and arts and crafts that I enjoy doing, especially as I seek to learn calligraphy. Arts and crafts have always been an outlet for me from the time I was a kid. I love making cards, posters, and little things for the people I love such as these:
Another big part of the fun I have is watching basketball. I LOVE watching basketball, especially when supporting my people. Right now, I support three teams heavy (aside from my beloved NBA Orlando Magic) –––– two college teams and one high school team. Those teams are my alma mater, Saint Leo University, Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and Evans High School (EHS). FAU and EHS get my support heavy because both schools have a player I love on their rosters.
Focus
Lastly, my focus on self-love has been a big part for me in this season of my life. Certain events occurring within my close relationships have allowed me to realize that there were some deep undealt with insecurities that God brought to my attention through these situations. As I continue to work on myself with God’s help, I am sure to heal those parts of me and connect even better with my loved ones.
Introducing Kaila with an E’s New Focus
All together Family, Faith, Fun, and Focus, are like the water and sunlight to my growth process as I continue to bloom into who God has called me to be. The people and things I love continue to help me bloom where I have been planted in different seasons of my life.
My decision to clearly define the direction of my blog was one of my biggest short-term goals for my blog, and I am happy I have accomplished this and can now produce better content that is aligned with my passion for love and growth.
Now, check out my five tips to chasing your creative goals:
5 Tips for Chasing your Creative Goals
1. Sit down and really consider the things you love and what makes you YOU.
What do you talk about the most when it comes to your passion? Do you love songwriting? Do you love drawing? Traveling? Making music? Just write everything that you believe is important to YOU in no particular order. I emphasize YOU because it can become so easy to pick a specific talent based on what seems to be popular and profitable in our society. But, that’s just like picking an essay topic you have no interest in only because you may easily find more sources. Refrain from doing that. Choose something you love because then this will help your consistency and motivation in accomplishing your specific goals.
2. Be authentic and genuine 24/7.
In a world where masking your true self to appear like you have it all together is the norm, authenticity makes you more appealing. Set the tone of your blog or talent as one where you’ll be real with your supporters no matter what. Create content that shows your authentic self to your audience because people can tell when someone is not authentic or genuine. Even when you really start gaining more supporters, remain authentic. Never change.
3. Don’t overthink, just do it.
Overthinking will just keep you standing still, and before you know it, your fears and doubt will stop you from stepping out of your comfort zone. I know my blog hasn’t progressed as much as it possibly could be of my overthinking, but figuring out the direction of my blog is me no longer just thinking, but acting in line with my goals. So, you should do the same. Write down your goals and keep them near, so you can always be reminded of where you’re headed.
4. Own every part of your journey
Your journey is unique because it’s yours. Embrace the ups and downs that come with your journey. Content creating is not an easy task, but we can only become better and learn more with practice, patience, and consistency. Don’t compare your journey with others. You could end up feeling discouraged because you are comparing your day 30 to someone’s day 300. Focus on your journey. In other words, stay in your own lane!
5. Failure is a part of success.
Know it is okay to go back to the planning stages if something seems to not be working in the executing stage, but don’t stay in the planning stage. Failure just helps you eliminate what’s not working and allows you to see more what will work. Trust the process and know it’s all apart of blooming where you are planted.
My decision to take this hiatus felt like a failure at first, but it has opened my eyes and motivated me to come back even stronger. If a break is what you need, then take it with no regrets!
These 5 tips have helped me find guidance, and I hope they help you who may be struggling to figure things out. Just know, you got it!
As for my blog, if you’re a unique individual who does not have it all together, and you are willing to accept all that comes with growing, this lifestyle blog is for you.
Again, thank you all for reading! Please subscribe and let’s continue to grow together!
In the comments below, drop a goal you are working on accomplishing in the last three months of this decade! Let’s finish this decade strong!
