Pressure

Pressure

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Top: Cos; Skirt: Zara (similar here and here); Sandals: Charles & Keith (similar here and here); Necklace: Jenny Bird

In today’s landscape, there is a constant struggle between creativity and the need to over perform. Over the past few months, so many fashion designers have left their respective houses and spoken out about the ridiculous pace at which they have to create in order to keep up with the fashion calendar. Personally, I don’t think this issue is one that exclusively plagues fashion designers, it’s something that bloggers face on an everyday basis.

Most of us got into this industry because we wanted a creative outlet, and those of us who are fortunate even got to make a career out of it. However, I definitely feel like the pressure to perform can get in the way of creativity. In the past, I’ve written about suffering from an anxiety attack due to missing a personal deadline. Since then, I vowed to never allow myself to feel pressured to produce content at a rate where I no longer felt inspired. If necessary, I would take a step back to hit refresh.

So what do I do to stay inspired? Once in a while, I find it therapeutic to remove myself from my day-to-day routine. Going out for dinner without a camera, going somewhere I normally don’t go, or even just going to get a mani-pedi helps me refresh. The most effective way for me to get my creativity back, however, is travel. There is nothing I find more enriching than exploring a new place and feeling inspired by a different culture, landscape, and sense of adventure that comes with travel.

So to my fellow creatives, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the numbers game, and how hard it is to produce solid content 24/7. This is a reminder to go back to your roots and remember why you got into this industry in the first place. Protect your authenticity and creative spark – it’s what makes you special.

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62 Comments

  1. August 15, 2016 / 6:14 am

    Couldn’t agree more – sometimes that pressure definitely gets a bit too much and it ends up being counter-productive. So important to step back every now and then.

    PS. Looooving this top! You babe, as always.

    Ashleigh x
    http://www.ashleighdmello.com

  2. August 15, 2016 / 8:15 am

    Pressure is something we can’t avoid in this world, unfortunately… But you’re right, it’s a great way to escape to go dinner without camera or a mani pedi! Love this look!

    http://violettedaily.com

  3. August 15, 2016 / 8:23 am

    I agree with you 150% Well said. Love This W&B look. You look Fabulous!
    Xx, Raysa

  4. August 15, 2016 / 9:19 am

    thank you for writing this. This is exactly how I feel at the moment too. It is so much pressure. I love being a blogger, it keeps me creative, I meet new talented people every day and i also do what i love. but sometimes i panic, if i haven’t uploaded a pic on Instagram or missed a posting time on my blog. Sometimes I give myself a day off, switch off from all social media and just constantly telling myself that it is going to be ok1
    I hope you will have a lovely week, you look stunning as per usual btw xxx
    Yukova Blog

  5. August 15, 2016 / 9:36 am

    Thank you for this, a very insightful way to start a week and I really needed this reminder. It’s so easy to get lost in the creativity as one always is focusing on the goals. And with this industry in specific it’s an insane amount of pressure to always deliver and always be new, fresh and innovative, it’s madness! I often find myself behind what I want to perform, which is not healthy in any way!Xx

    http://www.thefashionfolks.com

  6. Leftbankgirl
    August 15, 2016 / 10:57 am

    Lovely and inspiring post! It’s true, there’s so much pressure to be perfect and produce so much. You’re doing an amazing job! Your looks are always chic and I love reading your thoughts

    http://Leftbankgirl.blogspot.com

  7. August 15, 2016 / 11:36 am

    Loving this – so true! Happy Monday, lady!

  8. August 15, 2016 / 11:55 am

    You’re absolutely right hun! So true, one needs to always remember the main motive behind every act.
    Love the look.

    Funmi x
    funmialabi.co.uk

  9. August 15, 2016 / 12:40 pm

    This is a message that I definitely need to take to heart too because I am constantly putting so much pressure on myself in pretty much all areas of my life! Loved this post!

    http://www.rosyoutlookblog.com

  10. August 15, 2016 / 2:01 pm

    Loved this post. Thank you so much for these refreshing words.
    You are such an inspiration to me and so many others!
    xo, Shell
    http://acourageousbeauty.com

  11. August 15, 2016 / 2:11 pm

    Looking so chic Siff!

  12. August 15, 2016 / 2:31 pm

    This outfit looks so fab on you…xoxo, Neha

  13. August 15, 2016 / 2:38 pm

    This is so true lovely, this is really inspiring! At the end of the day is about doing what you love and only writing about what you love, that’s how I manage to stay true to myself! 😉

    Love from London,
    Whit

    http://www.whitneyswonderland.com

  14. August 15, 2016 / 3:14 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing so openly in this post. I’m newer to the blogging/Instagram gig – nowhere near the level of output you must have, but it’s great to hear the truth about the pressure and hard work behind the scenes, without the sugar-coating.

    Your authenticity and creativity are inspiring. Thanks for doing what you do!
    MoJo
    xo

  15. August 15, 2016 / 3:49 pm

    Babe I absolutely love this post! You are so right that we can feel pressured by time and numbers to produce something that may not be true to ourselves. I too have felt some anxiety when I just don’t find enough time in the day to get what I need to get done. Blogging and working a full time job has big challenges and although I do hope to make it a career one day, I have to constantly remind myself that I’m only human. Such a great post!I think you’ll speak to many bloggers out there that can relate! Love your fashion sense and so happy you’ve been able to find a happy medium where you don’t compromise your creative vision. Have a great week!

    xoxo
    Rina
    http://www.andshedressed.com

  16. August 15, 2016 / 4:19 pm

    Very true. I think for me personally, I do a regular tech detox, especially on the weekends. They are meant to enjoy. It’s easy to get caught up in the number game, or social media game but better to have balance. Love the inspiration and photos. x/Madison
    FASHION TALES

  17. August 15, 2016 / 5:07 pm

    How beautifully you wrote it darling! While I am very new at this and I cannot relate to the pressure you are talking about. I do find myself sometimes not listening to my partner or enjoying a moment because of the constant need to document everything. It makes me feel ridiculous, I have to admit.
    Love,
    T.
    https://tbymallano.wordpress.com/

  18. August 15, 2016 / 6:34 pm

    Love that silver choker and this minimalist look on you! Gorgeous!

  19. August 15, 2016 / 10:17 pm

    As a blogger I find it difficult to always come up with new content. This post was a great reminder that’s it’s okay not to always be on point 24/7. Have a great week <3

    Blessings,
    Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com

  20. August 16, 2016 / 1:58 am

    Great post! I find it really hard to do things when I feel pressured! It’s nice to take breaks and relax for a moment. You look great, btw!

  21. August 16, 2016 / 4:07 am

    Such wise words! I totally agree. I try to produce at least 2 – 3 times a week even though my goal is 5 times a week. I tell myself it’s ok. Do what you can. It’s not a race, but a journey.

    xx Yasmin
    http://banglesandbungalows.com

  22. August 16, 2016 / 4:28 am

    I can so relate to this Siffat! I have had to take a bit of a step back this summer because I was getting so overwhelmed and stressed between my increased workload, deadlines and upcoming launches and my blog. It isn’t exactly the path I wish to be on but sometimes you just have to listen to yourself and take a step back.

  23. August 16, 2016 / 5:30 am

    Your words never fail to inspire. I completely agree with what you said. It’s always a better idea to take a step back when we lose the interest and creativity we once had. Better to do that than to pressure ourselves to keep posting things that aren’t reflecting our best work.
    I hope you are having a great week so far!

    ~Andrea Tiffany~
    aglimpseofglam.blogspot.com

  24. August 16, 2016 / 6:32 am

    So well said Siffat! Pressure can really kill creativity. I also try to refresh my mind from time to time in order to come up with new stuff. I like to work on offline projects too!
    I love your look! It’s just perfect.

    xx
    Aurelie | http://www.surface85.com

  25. April Nunez
    August 16, 2016 / 7:12 am

    Wow! This is such a nice post, thanks for sharing! Love your outfit ahhh!

    April of: https://beybiapril.wordpress.com/
    IG: @aprilnunezz

  26. August 16, 2016 / 8:54 am

    yes the pressure is too much of a hindrance for creativity at times, specially with all social media! love your outfit!
    http://www.thestyletune.com

  27. August 16, 2016 / 9:38 am

    So agree with you hun, social media also puts pressure on all of us which can be daunting at times… Looking fab as always btw 🙂 xx

  28. August 16, 2016 / 11:32 am

    Love the COS shirt! They are one of my favourite brands.

    LUXESSED

  29. Amy Arnold
    August 16, 2016 / 1:05 pm

    You are so right. Most of us did get into fashion because of the creativity but somewhere along the way pressure sets in. It’s hard to feel inspired sometimes. You’re amazing!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

  30. August 16, 2016 / 1:29 pm

    Great post – I always strive to keep it real to let go of stress!!

    Share my excitement in the second installment of my collaboration with Los Angeles brand TOBI this week at the blog – I am sure you’ll love it as much as I did!

    Happy Tuesday!

    Rebecca
    http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

  31. August 16, 2016 / 1:36 pm

    Thank you so much for this post! I can relate on so many levels because I started my blog as a creative outlet as well. It’s a work in progress and it takes a lot of patience. It is difficult to not get hung up on the numbers and I love that you remind me to go back to my roots. This was such an important and great post for bloggers to read. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    http://WWW.MARIANNYC.COM

  32. August 16, 2016 / 4:01 pm

    sometimes when I’m feeling the pressure I take a day or two off social media and blogging and recharge. It really helps! anyway loving this look on you! the blouse is fantastic, I love the sleeves

    http://www.prettyinleather.net

  33. August 16, 2016 / 6:37 pm

    Fab monochrome look and I really like the oversized shirt. I loooved this article and it really resonates with me at the moment. I was certainly feeling the pressure coz I have 1 full time job, 1 part time and coz of what I read I felt I had to do more than one post a week. I managed for one week, but it got too much and I decided I wasnt going to go nuts for a blog that I set up to be my creative ‘happy place’.
    And you are right about how travelling is such a mood booster. Have a gd wk hon ( :

  34. August 17, 2016 / 12:24 am

    This is SUCH a good post! Sometimes it all just gets so overwhelming, and the need for perfection can start to overtake everything. That is when I know I need to take a step back + focus more on just enjoying life, blogging, etc!
    And the funny thing is…taking a break usually that brings fresh new ideas + a more renewed passion for what I do!
    -Kate // http://www.classyandkate.com

  35. August 17, 2016 / 12:53 am

    Even as a newbie in this blogzone I can absolutely relate.
    You make ever look so good! Love how you carry this outfit so chicly.

    http://www.amnaonline.wordpress.com

  36. August 17, 2016 / 6:00 am

    The slit on your skirt is so sexy! And I totally can relate – there are definitely times where I feel like I’m just drawing a blank. Sometimes I just need a few days off from social media and enjoy the little things in life!

    Tina
    http://www.justatinabit.com

  37. August 17, 2016 / 6:34 am

    I totally agree that the pace is too fast. So many of us are feeling it. And many are too scared to actually speak about it… in case they are perceived as a “failure” of some sort for it.

    I feel like there is a collective urge and need to slow down…even though many people don’t want to talk about it. To appreciate and to savour, to be still. To have quality over quantity. And to create from love and passion and rather than a fear to stay visible and relevant in a saturated and fast paced arena.

    And that if we all allow ourselves this balance and slower pace we crave…maybe collectively we can hope this mad rush the world is in will slowly shift…Our lives and our creativity will surely benefit.

  38. August 17, 2016 / 8:57 am

    I couldn’t agree more with you! We all go through the same phase from time to time and as you said it is important to keep the authenticity! Don’t pressure yourself, this is the worst thing you can do. x

    Ela BellaWorld

  39. August 17, 2016 / 2:00 pm

    Indeed, the life that we live is often under pressure. Often we have to force us to follow the path chosen by others. But what is wonderful you succeed, you try and find your way for that inspire you and help you to write this particular post. You look great!

  40. August 17, 2016 / 5:46 pm

    This is so inspiring! I love the post:)

    irenethayer.com

  41. Tamara
    August 17, 2016 / 5:52 pm

    Yesterday for the first time in a while, I went out to dinner without any camera or phone. And it was so relaxing to be disconnected for a while!

    Love your outfit as always!

    XoXo,

    Tamara – LoveofMode.com

  42. August 17, 2016 / 7:34 pm

    Truly inspiring post! Love it. I can totally relate to it! Loving your outfit so much. You look so stunning! <3 <3

  43. August 19, 2016 / 2:10 pm

    I love this black and white look on you! As always, your styling is perfect.
    I can totally relate to the pressure syndrome and find that I definitely need to recharge my batteries from time to time!
    Julia x
    http://www.thevelvetrunway.com

  44. August 20, 2016 / 11:52 am

    Amazing post.

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