All across the country, I’ve befriended numerous bloggers. Some live just down the road, others live over 1700 miles away. I’ve never even met most of these individuals IRL, but I know they have a process much like me. These bloggers redefine ‘hustle’ when it comes to creating content and carving out their corners of the internet. They go on writing binges where 2,000 words is nothing for any given day, and they also experience blocks where words are impossible to produce for a week at a time. They’ve invested more than time into their hustle, too. The money it takes to pay for web hosting, a quality and reliable camera, business cards, web design, marketing, and more certainly reflect the business-like nature of blogging. To save money, many bloggers I know have taken classes and watched countless YouTube tutorials to become digital and web design masters for cost saving measures. Between the time and money and creativity spent, it’s usually impossible for a blog to entirely be a one-woman show.
Behind so many bloggers are the undervalued and usually unacknowledged “assistants” – their significant other. I can’t say how many times I’ve come across bloggers who have killer content day to day all thanks to their significant others’ patience and ability to act as a sounding board for ideas. I’m lucky enough to have a special assistant of my own who gives me all the support I could ever need, but also helps me with the logistics and practical aspects of maintaining this blog that I never could do alone. So, thank you. Thank you to all the boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives, life partners, significant others, roommates, best friends, lovers, and even children who keep this train running. Although you signed up to love me, I’m not sure you (or anyone else’s helper) knew what you were getting into when you agreed to do life together.
Thanks for all the times you let me try on ten outfits before dinner. Thanks for almost missing our reservations because “the lighting was too perfect to miss”. Thanks for reading every post I write and telling me what you thought about it – honestly. Thanks for taking too many pictures with a camera you have no idea how to use – you’ve gotten pretty good at it. Thanks for understanding my obsession with shopping and making comments like “This would look good on the blog.” Thanks for getting as excited as I do when I get something on sale or sell something from my site. Thanks for supporting my book writing endeavor, despite how long the journey is going to last. Thanks for listening to me complain about contracts and payouts. Thanks for getting equally as angry when another blogger copies my work. Thanks for waiting to eat your food so I can take a picture of it for Instagram. Thanks for letting pursue this dream of mine, though be it an aggressive side hustle.
You’re severely undervalued for all you’ve done and continue to do for me. I think I speak for all bloggers who have neglected to recognize the support and assistance they have in their own homes and relationships. I hope my love is payment enough 🙂
