blogging career

How I learned the importance of having thick skin.

Life and style blogger, The Samantha Show, is getting personal on the blog today and sharing the importance of having thick skin in this industry.

I’ve had a post like this in the works for what feels like years. And after reading through all of the comments on my reader survey from Friday, I felt like now was the perfect time to share it.

The Importance Of Having Thick Skin

Most of the comments were so positive, you guys. And I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate each and every one of you and the love I genuinely feel from you all on a daily basis.

But some of the comments I received kind of felt like a punch in the stomach. And it just made me realize that there have been plenty of other times where I felt like this. Where I’ve read or heard something about me or my blog and I’ve had two choices; I could let it roll off my shoulders or I could let it eat away at me.

And if we’re being honest, it used to be the latter more times than not. No one wants to be disliked. And while I know and have always known that you can’t please everyone and not everyone is going to like you, it doesn’t make it easier.

But as time went on, I learned the importance of having thick skin. I reminded myself that I’ve always been real and honest with all of you. And that no matter what, you cannot please everyone. And sometimes I just need to have that thick skin.

I mean as bloggers, we know we are sharing our lives with the world. Not just through our blog posts but behind the scenes on social media. And while we share a lot, we don’t share everything. People are going to make their assumptions based on what they see and even what they don’t see. And that’s life. And while we can’t change what other people think about us, we can change how we react to it. We know ourselves better than anyone else and we shouldn’t question that because of something we see about ourselves online. We should remember the importance of having thick skin

Have you ever had others make comments about your “obsession” with social media? Like “omg are you going to Instagram this?” or “don’t share this on Facebook yet!”

It’s frustrating because what they don’t understand is that social media is one of the ways we get to know our followers. We communicate with them through Snapchat or Instagram and create these relationships that also sound completely crazy to someone who doesn’t understand it. But some of the greatest people I know in this world are people that I’ve “met” online and “known” for 6 years. Crazy, maybe. But it’s just the way things are in this community.

But we share things about our lives. We don’t go posting people’s secrets or announcing their pregnancy before they can. So yes, it gets frustrating when someone makes a jab about our “obsession” with social media but I’ve learned that it’s a lack of understanding more so than a jab. And maybe they just need to understand why and how social media is important to my job.

Which brings me to my next point. One of the comments I received on the survey mentioned they disliked bragging. I am beyond blessed to be so passionate about my job. But I have never, ever wanted to come off “privileged” or “bragging” about the opportunities and things I get to do in relation to my job. And I’m not even sure if this is how the comment was directed. But I want you all to know that if I have ever come off in a way where I’ve been bragging, please accept my sincerest apologies. I think maybe there have been times when I’ve been super excited and even more so, proud of something I’ve accomplished. And I’ve wanted to share it because dang it, I work my butt off! But please know that I would never waive something in the air just to brag.

Blogging is such a unique concept. I mean, a lot of it is still new and unchartered territory and we’re all learning as we go. I’ve been doing this for 6 years and y’all have seen me do a lot of growing up. I’m not proud of some of the things I’ve written in the past. In fact, I’m down right embarrassed by some of it.

But that’s part of the journey. Looking back at who I was and who I am today is surreal. Because I’m still the same person today as I was back then but at the same time, I’m so, so different. And you’ve all been there to see it unfold.

I choose to share my life. I know that not everyone is going to like it or agree with it. There are some things I don’t share and some things I only share snippets of. But at the end of the day, I’m just a regular person. I’m a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, etc. And over the years, I’ve become more comfortable with that.

I’m not a celebrity.

I don’t think I’m better than anyone else.

I make mistakes.

I sometimes cuss more than I should.

I’m overly sensitive. Which means I cry. A lot.

I sometimes forget to think before I speak. Or I let my emotions do the talking…

I can lose my temper.

I love hard.

I’m just me. A 30-year old mama trying to raise tiny humans, be a good wife, and inspire other women to be themselves and embrace it. Having a thick skin comes in handy.

If you want to fill out the reader survey, you can do it here. I’ll be choosing a few winners and sending you a little surprise in the mail. A small token of my appreciation for being so awesome. Be sure to check out more of our blogging posts before you go.

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19 COMMENTS

  • Cait

    amen to this lady. ive had a few trolls come into my blog the last few weeks and it really made me feel down and unsure of myself too so i’m still working on getting thicker skin. keep your head up. blogging is a tough business and we all work our butts off to get where we are. you’re doing awesome.

  • Personally, I really love that you’re so honest. I keep reading because you’ll be like “I totally failed as a mom on this” and just keep it real.

    As for the bragging, girl, please. I get that when I post a video or image of me in the gym. I used to get a little ruffled by it, but you know what? I was squatting almost double my bodyweight several times over. I worked HARD to get those muscles. I AM going to brag about it a little bit, and not feel bad about it.

    Keep being who you are, blogger, social media-ist (is that a word? should be…) and all.

    XOXO

    Sarah

  • Jen

    People are punks. Your blog is great and I appreciate your honesty about all the topics you write about. Let it roll of and keep doing your thing

  • Marissa

    As a fellow blogger, I couldn’t relate more! I travel a lot and hardly ever post on my personal social media accounts about it, but I still get comments indicating I’m “showing off” when in reality that’s my business now. It’s hard to do our work without people saying negative things, but having thick skin is necessary.

  • Whitney

    I think you are the best, keep being YOU.

    Love you

  • Shane Prather

    Ah girl, I’m so sorry you received any negative feedback at all! It can be hard as bloggers making our lives public to the world – I struggle with that and online dating… people judge me before meeting me. Oh well, we are strong women together!

  • Becca Dorr

    I have to say that I’m surprised to hear that someone thought that you — *especially* amongst other style bloggers — were braggy. I just wanted to tell you that, since I follow you on Snap and see you every day, haha.

  • Love you, Samantha! You are one of the bloggers who keeps it real and that’s what I love most about you! I’m the same way… I take everything too personally, so I feel your pain about that. Fortunately I haven’t made it big enough yet to have experienced any of the hating from others. I know it’s coming one day, and sheesh, I just hope I handle it OK. Haha. You just keep doing you, Boo!

  • Liane

    Girl I’ve been reading your blog for over 5 years now and never once have I read anything that even resembles you bragging!
    Keep doing what you’re doing. Both you and your blog are amazing 🙂

  • Keep doing you. You are fabulous. And people saying you’re “bragging”…guaranteed they’re speaking from a place of insecurity because they WISH they had the opportunities etc that you have earned. It’s easier to throw a dart at someone anonymously on the internet than it is to get off your butt and WORK for something, like you have. Keep doing you girlfriend…you’re awesome and ILY!

    Coming Up Roses

  • Jenn

    Lady, I’m so sorry to hear that. People get really bold when they can hide behind a computer screen and anonymity. I’ve gotten some of the nastiest comments on my blog, and it’s so hard to shake off. But your blog is amazing! I appreciate how real and accessible you are. Keep doing your thing!

  • Patricia

    Love your heart friend. Miss you!

  • Stacey Demrigian

    this post is great. sometimes especially in the blogging business or any type of internet business, you will get those types who cant just keep there mouth shut once in a while

  • Taylor Mobley

    I love this so much. I struggle with this concept quite often and it’s good to know theres fellow lady bosses out there with the dame struggles. We got this!

  • Kelly

    I am sorry people can be so mean but you rock girl!

  • Emily

    UGH makes me so sad to hear this and yet I can totally relate. Just to echo everyone above – not once have I ever felt like you’ve come across as braggy! You’ve worked hard to be where you are and you deserve to be proud of it! Keep being you, sweet friend.

  • Emily

    Also! That hair pic is goalz. 😉

  • Lauren

    I do think you’re really awesome and I hope I didn’t offend with my comment I think you’re bad ass!

  • Ivelisse

    This is such a vulnerable post..Love it! Thank you for sharing this with the world.

    Love,
    Ivelisse | CarnationDreams.com

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