Tag Archives: blogging

Having FUN With Your Content

Standard
Having FUN With Your Content

Hello! I have been a content creator for over a decade and I have yet to grow tired of the joy of writing, taking pictures, and recently videos for my TikTok. I have striven to create daily content for the past six years and change and continue to make good on that goal every single day. I mainly continue this streak out of spite… I kid! I have maintained this because I simply have way too much FUN creating content! Although it is a gift to make money from my craft, I would continue to publish without monetary gain because I have enjoyed every minute since starting lifewithlilred. How have I kept the spark alive? Let’s discuss:

My goal when I created lifewithlilred was not to make money at all. It was to have a space that is special to me to get out my thoughts, interact with new people, and make friends. In fact, I met my best friend in the whole world shortly after my page was live! If your goal in the content game is to strike it rich, it automatically takes the fun out of it. Then, you fall into the pattern of creating what you think other people want to see or read instead of what you want to do. When you start a blog or social media profile, go into it with the mindset that you are making something that no one else can. Anything that comes next like new friends or some extra scratch is just an added bonus!

Let me fill you in on a little secret… I have never paid attention to trending topics. I much prefer to do my own thing! When I shop, I am always looking for pieces that not everyone and their brother owns and that is exciting to me. I view my content in the same light. I don’t want to post about what everyone is already posting about and hope what I am doing gets seen in the void. I want to create my own trends and content that is completely unique to me. The content you post is like your own journal. Do you want your pages to feel like you or a compilation of a bunch of other people’s ideas? When you stay true to yourself is when you can create that corner of the internet that is yours and yours alone.

There is no scientific formula for creating content so don’t let overthinking get in your way. If you have an idea, an awesome outfit, or a thought you want to extrapolate on then go for it! You can go back and fine tune later but if you get that spontaneous surge of creativity then harness it rather than shy away. You will be amazed at the content you can make by just going off of a random thought and seeing what happens. Look for beauty in every day situations, write about something you can’t shake from your mind, and soon enough you will be finding ideas for posts every time you turn your head. This is very much the case for me and it keeps content creating fresh and new rather than a chore.

The fact of the matter is, your goal of a million followers in a week or a hefty paycheck in a day might not be possible and that’s okay! Set achievable goals instead and revel in that feeling when you meet them. I started my TikTok very late in the game and it was just one of those things I did on a “why not” whim. I will admit, it was a bit disappointing when my first videos weren’t getting a ton of views. Then I remembered that my blog didn’t get a ton of views either when I first started it. Now, I view every new follower or like on TikTok as a GREAT SUCCESS! Content creating is a marathon, not a sprint. There are going to be highs and lows and if you let yourself be discouraged and give up, you will never know what you can achieve next. ❤

Creating content should always be FUN and if you aren’t having a blast, then I highly recommend reevaluating because something is going haywire. Strive to find the joy in what you are making every time you write a post or film a video because what you are doing is important. I know you can do it!

What do you struggle with when it comes to content creating? What is your favorite piece of content you have ever made? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Eleven Year Blogiversary!!

Standard
Eleven Year Blogiversary!!

Howdy! lifewithlilred has been a big part of my life for so long that I honestly forget how long it has been around for lol. It always comes as a surprise to me when I get the WordPress email that my domain name is about to renew and this time around was no different. You could have knocked me over with a feather when it dawned on me that my little corner of the internet is celebrating its Eleven Year Blogiversary! Not to mention over SIX YEARS of publishing daily content. Holy wow, it really is quite an accomplishment and I am so very proud of it. ❤

lifewithlilred started out as a pleasure project when I first started college and honestly it wasn’t even my idea. At that point, I was regularly posting pictures of my outfits on Facebook and I was getting constant comments that I should start a blog. I had always loved writing and, of course, fashion and I decided to go for it. I am so glad I did because I could not imagine my life without my blog baby today. lifewithlilred has given me countless gifts that I am eternally grateful for. It introduced me to my best friend in the world, provided me with the space to create, have fun, and be my most authentic self, and opened up an entire blogosphere with the most amazing people. I put myself into lifewithlilred fully and I was rewarded in ways that I will always treasure.

Of course, the most important aspect of lifewithlilred is you. My dear readers and beloved friends. You have been with me through life’s many ups and downs, through thick and thin, and every milestone for the past eleven years. You know me well and it is my complete pleasure to know you too. The blogosphere is my friend and I truly mean that. Whenever anything happens, you are the first person I want to tell and I eagerly await to put words to keyboard to fill you in. That is something that I can’t thank you enough for. lifewithlilred has shown me that you are all here with me no matter where we are located and because of that, I am never ever alone. ❤

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Standard
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!!! Today is one of my favorite days of the year and I am so looking forward to celebrating with mine and Johnny’s family. I am sure that all of you have grand plans for the day so I don’t want to take up too much of your time! But what kind of blogger would I be if I didn’t give an extra special holiday shout out to my dear readers? You already know I am infinitely thankful for all of you!!

lifewithlilred has been going strong for a decade and change and I still have a really hard time believing that. During this extensive tenure, you have been with me for every update, accomplishment, disappointment, and life changes and I think that is really cool. In fact, it’s what motivates me to keep up with daily content because I know that you are out there, somewhere reading it. My blog is just as much mine as it is yours and my biggest hope is that people smile when they stumble upon my corner of the internet.

The blogosphere is a beautiful thing and it has the power to bring people together. My blog gifted me with my best friend in the world and has brought people into my life that I would have never known otherwise. I was extremely lonely when I started lifewithlilred and the blogging community really helped remedy that. From Akron, Ohio, I am able to say that I have friends all over the world and my gratefulness for that knows no bounds.

Thank you to all of you for being my friend. Thank you to all of you for stopping by my page and being with me. Happy Thanksgiving to all! ❤

10 Year Blogiversary!!!

Standard
10 Year Blogiversary!!!

Hello everyone!!!! September thirteenth is always a fantastic, wonderful day because it marks lifewithlilred’s blogiversary. This year is an especially exciting one because my blog baby has turned ten! I started my page as a freshly turned twenty year old and I can and can’t believe that it is still going strong a decade later. Part of me is astounded by this milestone and the other part of me is not surprised. I fell in love with blogging immediately and knew that it was something I wanted to continue. Monetary gain was never what interested me – it was simply the joy of writing and creating a page that was uniquely me.

Writing on lifewithlilred has become second nature and my mornings are not complete without it. I found a home in the blogosphere and I never plan on moving out! I have gained so much through blogging. When I began my page, I literally had one friend. Through my blog, I met a best friend right from the jump as well as countless others who I look forward to hearing from. lifewithlilred has made me feel seen and heard and I would still feel that way even if no one reads it. Writing is so cathartic and satisfying to me and that is why I continue to post daily content in my little corner of the internet.

As I think back on a decade of blogging, I think about all that I have been through together with my readers. All of you witnessed changes that were happening in real time. From holidays and birthdays, graduating college, new jobs, and getting married, you got to see it all and that is so special. You have been with me through triumphs and struggles, major milestones, losses, and everything in between. I don’t take that for granted and it motivates me every day to keep on going. lifewithlilred is just as much for all of you as it is for me and I feel so proud of that!

Thank you all for your friendship, your views, and providing me with the determination to blog for an entire decade. Here’s to ten more years of lifewithlilred and here’s to you!

Happy Birthday, Best Friend!!

Standard
Happy Birthday, Best Friend!!

Hello!!! It’s Gemini season, baby, and what a banner time it has been. Johnny celebrated his birthday, we had our wedding anniversary, it was my birthday and now… *Drum roll, please* it’s my best friend’s birthday!!!! Yes, today is a wonderful, fantastic day because it is my blogging bestie’s big day. I hate to age us both, but Kate of Live In The Nautical and I became instant BFFs almost a decade ago when lifewithlilred first began. She is my Gemini twin and soul sister. Despite living states away from each other, our lives are basically exactly the same and I know I can go to her for anything and everything. Not to mention she’s oh so beautiful inside and out!

best

Have you ever met someone and you just click? That’s how it was with Kate and I. What started as her being a guest blogger on my page turned into us chatting the days (and years lol) away. I live for our FaceTime dates and always laugh at the fact that we are true writers when we text. It’s literally just us sending novellas back and forth all day! Johnny has grown very accustomed to our texting style and forever refers to me as “Tolkien” when I’m giving Kate all of the updates. Even though we are far away, our textathons are a constant bright spot in my life and it feels like she could be right down the street from me. I wish she were!!

When I started my blog, of course, I wanted to make new friends. However, I was not anticipating to find a BBFF (Best Blogging Friends Forever) almost immediately. The blogosphere truly smiled upon me when Kate entered my life bringing her sunshine, fashion, sense of humor, and kindness. Kate is the perfect combination of sweet and sass and adds a touch of sparkle and shine everywhere she goes. This girl has been strong for me when I needed it, a shoulder to (metaphorically) cry on, and someone I can be my full self with. Everyone needs someone like that in their life and my wish on my bestie’s birthday is that you find and cherish that person. Kate is my one in a billion trillion gal and I am thankful for her every day. ❤

Happy Birthday to my Kate on her big day. The world is a better place with you in it and twenty-one (ish!) looks fab on you!!! I love you!!!!!!!!!!

1690 Day Blogging Streak!!

Standard
1690 Day Blogging Streak!!

Hellooo everyone!! The other day, I was pretty impressed by myself with my 1250 Day Duolingo Streak. This equals out to be about three and a half years of daily practice! Then, I looked at my amount of days of daily content on lifewithlilred and had an “omg” moment. I am on a 1690 plus day streak which is four and a half full years of every day latest and greatest on my blog! I never pay too much attention to these numbers because I am so used to doing daily practice and writing. As you can imagine it comes as a huge surprise when I do notice and do the math lol.

image_6487327(37)

Some four and a half years ago, I made the decision to start publishing daily content on lifewithlilred. Rather, I made the decision to do the best I could and no big deal if I miss a day or two. As you all know, I am a very goal and schedule oriented person so that day started the streak with no ifs, ands, or buts for a skipped day. A little bit crazy? Maybe! But I could not be more proud of myself and I look forward to writing every day. It is my release and it’s exciting to have a little corner of the internet that I carved out through this dedication.

Part of the motivation behind this streak came from me, myself, and I. However, a majority of it came from each and everyone of you. The most rewarding thing about blogging for me has always been making new friends. So, even if just a handful of people were reading and interacting, I’d still consider it a great success! lifewithlilred introduced me to one of my best friends almost a decade ago and countless others that make logging in every day a joy – not a chore in the slightest. Every morning, I can’t wait to see my notifications from the blogging community because it is what makes me happiest. A world full of friends that find enjoyment in my page as much as I enjoy writing on it. ❤

I am SO stoked to achieve a five year daily writing streak on lifewithlilred and it makes every day feel like a victory. Thank you to all of you for sticking with me – my blog would not be the same without you!

What is something that motivates you? What goals are you working towards? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dinner At Misnyland

Standard
Dinner At Misnyland

Hello!! One of the coolest things that lifewithlilred has ever done for me is thanks to this OOTD rocking some MisnyMerch. That outfit helped me win a contest to attend a party at Misnyland to meet Ohio’s most famous personal injury lawyer, Tim Misny. At said party, I was able to conduct an interview with Tim, we hit it off, and the rest is history. Since then, we have created tons of content together with me as a MisnyMerch spokesmodel and it has been a dream!

While the work is neat, the best part has been making a new friend. Johnny, Tim, and I get along like three peas in a pod and it is a blast to hang out altogether. This past week, Tim treated Johnny and I to dinner at his place to show off his culinary skills and everything was divine:

image_50450433(7)image_50446593(6)image_50408961(7)image_50419969(8)image_50441473(8)

Something Tim and I really bonded over was our shared love of cooking and serving meals for our family and friends. Next time we do dinner, I call dibs on helping Tim in the kitchen, but he prepared everything himself this time and I felt so spoiled. I can’t remember the last time I sat down while someone else cooked! For our meal, Tim made guacamole, breaded eggplant, tomato bisque, and baked perch for him and Johnny. I was very touched that Tim took the time to consult with me on his menu first to make sure he accommodated my vegetarianism. Everything was SO tasty and I was most impressed by the speed that Tim cooked with. This meal was ready within a half hour and that really blew my mind. Cooking is my me time so I like to draw it out lol.

Johnny and I often get asked what Tim is like in real life and I always say he’s just a guy! Then, I proceed to say that he is simply hilarious, smart as all get out, and a genuinely good person. Johnny and I rarely have the opportunity to make new friends and we enjoy our “Tim Time” so very much. When I began this post, note that I said “one” of the coolest things lifewithlilred has done for me. The top coolest thing my blog has given me is the gift of friendship with countless amazing people and, in this case, I got that too! ❤

I am so thankful to my blog and I always have a moment of “yes!” whenever I interact with anyone that it has put in my path. More Tim Misny X Lil Red collaborations are coming soon so keep your eyes peeled!

Do you like to cook? What is one of your favorite dishes to make? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Writing Prompts For 2024

Standard
Writing Prompts For 2024

Howdy everyone!! Is it just me or does January feel like an entire year in itself? Lol, it has been rainy and so freaking cold in good old Akron, Ohio and every day has felt like an eternity. I literally just said yesterday that one of my blogging goals was to try lots of new activities and hit up restaurants and stores that are outside of the norm for me. However, I think I will do all of that when I can leave the apartment without getting drenched or frostbite lol. If you are hibernating like me this month, it might be hard to create content so I thought I would share some writing prompts to help the cause. Let’s get to it:

  • What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
  • If you are rocking a “new year, new me” vibe, what is going to be new about you?
  • What is a goal or resolution that you have achieved?
  • What is a goal or resolution that you gave up on?
  • What is something new that you want to try this year?
  • What is something that you are leaving behind in 2023?
  • How would you recap 2023? Did anything amazing happen?
  • Is there anything you really hope to accomplish this year?
  • What does a new year mean to you? Is it inspiring or daunting?
  • Do you plan on making any major changes this year? What are they?

The beginning of a new year is a time for reflection and that can be reflected in your content! This is the perfect time to start planning what you want 2024 to look like for you and figuring out the steps you need to take to make it happen. You might find that these prompts will be able to help with that, which is the whole point! This time of the year can be inspiring or it can be writer’s block central. It’s up to you, so make the most of it. 🙂

If you use any of the above prompts, please tag me in the post or shoot me a comment so I can check it out. I would love to see it! ❤

What helps you when you have writer’s block? Does the weather tend to affect your mood or motivation? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

2024 Blogging Goals

Standard
2024 Blogging Goals

Hello!! We are a few weeks into 2024 and so far so good in my neck of the woods! I can’t remember the last time I made a New Years Resolution, but I do see the merit in setting achievable goals for my blog at the start of each new year. So I guess it’s kind of the same thing? Lol, either way, I always find that setting blog goals keeps me even more motivated to continue sending content into the blogosphere. Last year, I wanted to try and create OOTD posts as often as I could and I think I did a really good job of it! This is something that I definitely want to keep up with as well as the following:

More OOTDs:

My goal last year was to shoot OOTD content each weekend and even though I missed quite a few, I still managed to create more fashion content than ever on lifewithlilred. This was really beneficial to the blog for several reasons. 1) First and foremost, it was a lot of fun. 2) OOTD content gave me two set in stone posts per week for the outfit itself and blooper reel. For someone who publishes daily content, this was a godsend. I will be happy if I can keep up with the pace I established last year so my goal is to keep doing more of the same!

Daily Content:

I have been publishing once a day on lifewithlilred for over four years and it is an amazing achievement! With a streak like that, it is incredibly motivating to keep it up and I simply refuse to break it. Most of the time, it is very easy for me to create posts for my blog. Other times, writer’s block strikes and it can be like pulling teeth! I have two goals this year to help assist in my daily content endeavor and those are: 1) Not to be so hard on myself when I’m feeling uninspired because that just makes writer’s block even worse. 2) To try lots of new things like different experiences, restaurants, and activities to not only enjoy myself but to keep content fresh.

Ten Year Blogiversary Extravaganza:

It will be my ten year blogiversary in September and I am beyond thrilled about it! If anyone were to tell me when I started lifewithlilred that I would still be going strong a decade later, I would have thought it impossible. Yet, here we are and I am so very, very proud. To commemorate this huge achievement, I would love to do a super cute celebratory photo shoot as well as do a few giveaways and contests too. This will be the first time I will be doing something like hosting a contest on my page and I can’t think of a better time to start than a ten year blogiversary. 😀

Interact More:

I have acquired quite a few jobs in the social media field this past year and I feel like I have ignored my newsfeed on WordPress completely. I am not particularly proud of this and it is something that I would like to change. My plan of action will be to spend some time throughout the week exploring new blogs rather than endlessly scrolling through my personal Facebook. The beauty of the blogosphere is making new friends and finding content that inspires you and I definitely need more of that in my life!

Are these goals or New Years Resolutions, who’s to say? But, I plan on sticking with them and I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings for lifewithlilred!

How is 2024 treating you so far? What are some goals for your blog this year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sweet Surprises: Reader Friend Edition

Standard
Sweet Surprises: Reader Friend Edition

Hello!! Every day, I am thankful for the beauty of blogging. Of course, I always love to write and it is a joy to express myself on my page. However, the thing that I love best about blogging is the people! I met my best friend through lifewithlilred and so many other members of the blogosphere that I feel lucky to connect with. This Tuesday, I received a beautiful card in the mail that was bought for me by the darling Leenda, the author behind The Bus To Sorry. While she was at a craft fair, she spotted a card and sticker that she thought I would like and she was so right! Check it out:

image_50450177(8)image_50395905(1)image_50388481(5)

There is something about a handwritten note from a friend that just hits different. I was SO excited to open the letter from Leenda because I had no idea what it was going to be. All I knew was that it was something that she thought would match my vibe. I ripped into the envelope like a rabid beast and clutched my pearls over what I saw. Guys, I am obsessed with my note card and sticker by Freshly Squeezed Art. As soon as I got home, I immediately put the sticker on my laptop and left the note on my desk. I enjoy looking at it too much for it to go in my letter box!

These lovely little gifts match my aesthetic to the T. It amazed me that someone who only knows me from my blog and comments could pick something that I would have picked for myself. It honestly made me feel really proud of myself that I am so open on my page that it gave one of my beloved reader friends perfect insight into a prezzie I would adore. I feel incredibly touched to be thought of by Leenda and it was a wonderful reminder of why I started my blog in the first place. It was always to make new friends and I am so glad that it is having that effect. ❤

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Leenda for this Sweet Surprise. It made my week and do be sure to check out her page and give it some love!

What is something that you would pick out for me? Have you met any good friends through your blog? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah