Make it count
July 12th, 2012
I’m trying to be a little quieter on the internet lately, balance my life a little better, stop worrying about stats and numbers and staying away from my tendency to word-vomit on Twitter.
Time is really flying lately at an alarming rate. My blog turned five this past spring, my jewelry business three last week, my freelancing career a year in a couple weeks, in a couple months I’ll enter the last year of my twenties, and I’ll probably get married next year (I say probably as we haven’t set a date, ha). All I can repeat in my head lately is make it count, make it count, make it count.
I’m trying my best and that’s what really counts.
Photo by Kate Miss, taken with a Mamiya 645 with Kodak Portra 400 film
July 12th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Kate, I think you are amazing – your photos are beautiful, your jewelry is so unique, and your blog is a lovely portrayal of both those things. I just want to say, though, occasionally when you post (be it blog or Twitter) you come across as very self conscious and sometimes a bit sheepish.
I don’t really know why I’m leaving this comment, because it’s your blog, and your space to do what you want with. And some of us are just a little timid by nature. But it really sometimes seems like a downer. I guess what i’m trying to say is WORK IT, GIRL. You’re wonderful! Haters will be haters, opinions are like arseholes..you know the rest. Don’t let it get you down, and don’t feel like you have to justify everything all the time.
Plus, Los Angeles is no place for frowns, anyway :)
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Kate Reply:
July 12th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Hi Melissa,
I really do appreciate what I think you’re trying to get across with this comment and your kind words, but I can’t help but think you’ve completely misunderstood this post? This was not at all meant to be a downer or about me trying my best in the face of criticism. I’m just being honest about how I’m trying to make the best of my time in life lately as time is flying, about making decisions count and focusing on my business rather than growing my social media outlets. It has nothing to do with me being self conscious about what others think. Unless of course you’re not really referring to this post and the string of hateful comments I’ve received lately that I mentioned on twitter last week? Those really truly hurt my feelings, some people said disgusting things about me here that I swiftly deleted.
I am really self conscious and take things to heart and I do need to work on that, but even though sometimes I don’t know what the heck I’m doing with this blog people tell me that what they like best is my honesty, and sometimes the truth isn’t perfectly upbeat (though I didn’t really think I’d blogged about anything too negative lately?). I think there’s way too much fakeness in the blog world and not enough honesty, it sets a false sense of reality for readers.
But really, I do appreciate you wanting to pump me up and for believing in me, I just really think this post came across differently to you than I intended.
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July 12th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
lovely post! I wish you the best for all of these :) I love your blog, there are many things here that give me inspiration.
xxx, Betül
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Kate Reply:
July 12th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Thank you so much, Betül!
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July 12th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
I agree with you, but sometimes, it’s hard to make it count. We often forget that the little things we spend a lot of time obsessing over (or just thinking about) don’t really matter in the end. I think such a short but to the point mantra as “make it count” is really good to have. I may borrow that from you.
As far as your reply to Melissa’s comment is concerned, I haven’t seen the comments you’re referring to, but it does suck when people attack you on your blog. You’d think people would realize that if they don’t like your work or personality, they’d just stop reading, right? Some people are just bitter assholes and they only bring themselves up by putting others down. Hopefully, karma will get them. One person left comments like that on my blog and after being hurt a few times, I just had to keep repeating to myself, “who cares?” and “she doesn’t matter” over and over. It actually helped. Just remember that they’re just unhappy.
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Kate Reply:
July 12th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
It really is, isn’t it? Hindsight is so painful sometimes, looking back and realizing things you wasted your time on and things you should have spent more time on. But they’re all part of learning, so at least you get something out of those missteps. So in a sense I guess you are still making it count? Ohh, deep:)
Yeah I don’t know where this string of negativity was coming from in the past few weeks, it really sucked. I do the whole “who cares?” thing over and over too. It does help, and so do margaritas!
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Anne Reply:
July 12th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
A collective stupidity attack maybe? Those things spread fast.
Haha, not a big fan of margaritas, so for me, it’ll be vodka with a green tea & peach lemonade. Cheers!
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July 12th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
I hope you won’t be quiet forever. I found you a year (two?) ago and you’re one of my favorites. You’re so genuine and I hope you know your little corner of the interwebs is a special one.
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Kate Reply:
July 12th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Thank you Aubrey, you’re so sweet. I think it’s just a summer thing, I’m so swamped right now trying to get so many things ready for the fall that I don’t have the time to be more mindful about what I say online when I should be. It seems like the internet is a little quieter right now, too. But I could never stay completely away!
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July 12th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
I hear you. I can’t believe how fast this summer is going by. I started a new job in February and time has just been a freight train ever since. I felt like I was spending too much time caring about getting my blog going and working on it and posting, so I’ve sort of been taking it easy, too. Summer seems to do that.
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July 12th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
i totally know what you mean! i had a bit of a revelation this past december, where i realized that not only was i turning 30 on my next birthday (and running out of time to reach my personal goals i’d made for myself by that age), but that i hadn’t really done anything for myself, career-wise, because i was too afraid to just go for it and jump right in. so i quit my job, and i’m working on my jewellery designs, my polaroids, and possibly starting to apprentice with some photographers, so i can eventually head to a career i’ve always wanted: freelance photography.
it’s been a longer start than i thought, and it’s been more expensive than i thought, but it’s really taught me that doing things my way, and making sure to see them through – my way – will help me to respect myself and my decisions in the future. it’s hard to keep going, sometimes, since i haven’t really got a huge support base here in toronto, but believing in yourself is half the battle, and i’ve definitely got that down pat. and giving yourself the time to actually think things through and develop them properly (aka the way you actually want to develop them!) is really under-rated, these days, where everything’s trending on twitter before it’s even completed! numbers are only half the battle…you have to be able to back it up, otherwise you lose yourself trying to catch up to other peoples’ opinions.
all this to say that i think taking a step back, and reclaiming your life, is such a great attack plan. people can wait; people WILL wait….you’ve got awesomeness in store for later…and you have to enjoy what you do while you’re doing it, otherwise it’s not really worth doing anymore.
enjoy your step-back! <3
(and gorgeous photo, too, btw…!)
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July 12th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Kate, I can relate to your post in so many ways! I’ve been experiencing internet-fatigue for a while now, and feel the need of stepping back from social media. I’m 33 and have just started to figure out, what it is I’m passionate about. Hence, I feel like I should be putting all my focus and energy into my future career. I love the blogosphere, and I’ve been justifying the time and effort spent on blogging by thinking of it as part of the bigger picture. However, it’s distracting me from the things I should be working on to enhance my professional skills. It’s been difficult for me to admit this, because I’ve been putting so much time into my blog (and I’ve been trying to proove to myself that I can see something through), however, time IS runnng and your post has made me think about it in new ways. Thank you for all your inspiration – your blog is lovely! And yes, do make it count!
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July 12th, 2012 at 11:08 pm
Your beautiful film shots keep pulling me back to this space. I really identify with this post of yours too. Lovely work! x
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July 13th, 2012 at 2:08 am
I’ve been thinking about the same thing – snap! I word vomit on twitter a lot, especially regarding negative comments/emails. Actually, I did that today. I’m sensitive too, I take it to heart, and then regret saying anything at all. I’m trying to have the maturity to delete negative comments and just ignore. But sometimes they do cross the line, and I feel like I have to speak up. Obviously though, this is an individual decision, everyone tackles these things differently.
It’s hard sometimes, running a blog honestly. You put yourself out there, you display who you are, and then get knocked around for it. If my blog didn’t give me such a wonderful personal outlet for my writing and ideas, I would have shut it down a long time ago. I completely understand where you’re coming from in this post.
I remember taking stats and followers counters off my blog last year for this very reason – do I really care?
Also, on another matter, my parents have built up an independent business for the last 20 years or so based on my mum’s art. I deeply admire people like you and them who are working on turning their craft and freelancing work into something that does count. Good luck Kate!
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July 13th, 2012 at 4:52 am
Lovely photo of daisies. And I just wanted to say that I really enjoy reading your blog. Your thoughtful reflections and interesting photographs are a pleasure. And I appreciate your honesty and humble self-inquiry.
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July 13th, 2012 at 6:49 am
[...] Thoughts on slowing down and making it count. [...]
July 13th, 2012 at 7:05 am
I think it must be the summer and for me, having less time, because I have been rethinking the whole bloggy/social media thingy too. I love it but I don’t want it to become a duty or a millstone or a stressor where I worry about page views and all of that.
I was stressing about being online less this summer with the girl out of school and the impact on ye old blogge but realised that it doesn’t matter. The followers who like what I do will stick around and come back for the most part. It’s isn’t a race. All I can do is my best under the circumstances and enjoy the ride.
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July 13th, 2012 at 10:18 am
kate you are at such an exciting time in your life. savor every moment and do make it count! i love that photo….and you!~
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July 13th, 2012 at 11:40 am
These are some big milestones that you are hitting right now and I totally understand why you would be working on your business and not social media/networking. It is so important that we realize who and what really matters to us and that we prioritize those things. As I’ve gotten into my new profession since graduating last year I have let so much of the other stuff in life drop off. Facebook and Twitter are virtually things of the past for me, with only occasional blog posts happening, too. Instagram has taken over. No words. Lots of opportunities to interact. Stepping back has been a really positive thing for me (and your blog is one of the ones that I continue to read in my limited internet time!) and I hope it will be for you, too! Good luck with everything you’re undertaking these days! Wishing you lots of success!
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July 13th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
I totally got what your post was about! Maybe because I’m in the same down-sizing social media phase that you are, maybe it’s because I immediately recognized another authentic voice… whatever the reason your writing style will bring me back!
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July 13th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
I always enjoy your posts, Kate and love the honesty I find here. It’s school holidays here and I only have a day and a half left, so I fully appreciate the ‘make it count’ sentiment! The feeling of time flying by spins me out a little bit and I really want to try and shift my focus from one of feeling out of control to one of enjoying the moment. It’s tricky!
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July 22nd, 2012 at 3:00 am
I identified so much with your first paragraph there. I’ve been feeling down about the whole blogging thing lately – it just feels like a popularity contest I’m losing. I’m trying to take a step back and remember I started it because I love to write, not because I wanted 10,000 monthly unique users.
Becky | life.style.flash. x
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July 24th, 2012 at 8:01 am
I love that you make the time to reflect and take a break for balance. I think we all struggle with that in this digital land. Good for you! Makes me feel less guilty to just stop and smell the roses instead of twittering about them ;)
Cheers!
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