MY BLOG, LIFE AND MORE Q&A! (Part 1)

Hey y'all! I wanted to do a super fun and personal post where I can answer all your questions you have for me & connect more with y'all on my life, style, and future for myself and LovedbyRileyB! I got so many amazing questions and SO many that I will be doing a Part 2. SO stay tuned for that post and a coming HIGH END DUPES post for fashion I love! Without much more of my blabber, let's move on to my first Q&A post questions....

BLOG RELATED:

Q: How/When did you get into blogging? What made you want to start a blog?

A: I first started blogging around July of last year with just my Instagram and only posted like once a month or so, and it was all because of my aunt initially, @aliciawoodlifestyle who really inspired me and taught me the ropes! I also had the amazing influences of several school friends who started fashion/lifestyle pages for fun, and I've always loved fashion so I thought "hey why not start my own page?" Each person's blog is unique and fun in their own way and I think there is always room for another account for fashion, lifestyle, health, etc.! I started my blog also because I LOVE writing! I first was thinking of majoring in journalism in college, because of how much I love it. Since then, I have joined Reward Style/Like to Know It to provide more content and monetize my posts on Instagram, and have grown so much thanks to everyone's support! The amount of support & love and friends I have made since starting has been incredible and way beyond my dreams!

Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment this year?

A: This is so interesting to reflect on, but I would say blog-wise it would be joining Reward Style and hitting 1K! I never imagined those to happening and I am so blessed to have friends and followers who love my content and work. As far as personally, I think my greatest accomplishment would being accepted to NHS and keeping a 4.0 unweighted GPA for all of highschool so far, I work super hard on my grades and that's why I can't blog and post as much as I wish I could. Also, I think making my highschool's advanced choir this year has brought me so much joy and happiness!

Q: Who inspires you?

A: For my blog, my aunt who I mentioned earlier really inspires me because of her determination and time she puts forth on her blog and how much success she has accomplished during her blogging career. She is such a talented woman and someone I look up to for that! Other bloggers that inspire me: Olivia Rink, Lonestar Southern (Kate), Tezza, etc. some for their content and a lot for their sweet hearts and inspiration. In my life, my biggest inspirations are my parents and grandparents, they have sacrificed so much for me and my brother and are such amazing role models! I am so grateful for them and all they do:)

Q: Tips for a small influencer/growing my Instagram following?

Such a great question, because as a small influencer myself, I love to know what other bloggers find helpful and learn from them! I think my best tips are to put out content your happy with and try not to just settle. Yes, my posts are not always in the most asethetically pleasing locations and with the best quality, but I'm 16, in school, and I work with what I have. Also, get connected with other bloggers and reach out to build relationships. I love meeting other women in engagement pods and sharing stories and posts! Finally, I would say use quality hashtags and switch them up, you don't have to use all 30 and be UNIQUE. That's what will set you apart and create your own style!

LIFE/PERSONAL:

Q: Post high school plans/dream career?

A: I've been getting this question ALOT in the last year, as I am a junior right now approaching my senior year, and I would have to say I'm not quite sure 100%. I know that I will be attending a 4-year college and most likely KU or potentially University of Arkansas, but it really depends on my major. I am torn between a few professions and right now I am leaning towards pursuing a degree in apparel production and fashion merchandising, as I am really interested in marketing/merchandising in the fashion industry. That being said, KU doesn't offer that path, and I'm not sure if it's the best option for that reason. I also would love working in special education or a career where I can work in a fulfilling job where I am happy. Because that's everyone's goal right?!

Q: How do I define success?

A: This is another great reflection question, but I would say success is: being happy. I think that if your happy with where you are in life, in your relationship, career, etc. then that is success. Success is extremely personal and my success will most likely vary different from the person's next to me. Right now, I think my personal goal is finishing highschool, moving on to college and having quality relationships with everyone in my life, I think that would most definitely be my success for the short-term future.

Q: If you could have your 3 wishes granted, what would they be?

A: @dawn.graham.designs is killing these deep questions (your the best;))! My 3 wishes on a silly level, would be: having summer all year round, getting a perfect score on my ACT (I wish haha), and having my college paid for with a job, I'm super in love with. On a deeper level, it would be: having my family completely taken care of forever (money wise and health wise), ending violence, and ending poverty, among many other things. The most basic answers, but very true.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?

A: In 5 years, I would love to be finishing up college with a career in mind, being happy and still in a wonderful relationship. In 10 years, I would love to be married, potentially with a kid and once again super happy with my life, job, family, etc. HAPPINESS is the goal, can you tell HAHA

Q: Do you have any siblings?

A: YES, I have one little brother who is 11. He's my absolute best friend and the funniest, sweetest boy I know. I am so lucky to have him and not be an only child lol.

Q: How are you so confident? Tips for struggling teen self-esteem?

A: Well first off, I would like to say I am not all that confident. It may look like it from my Instagram, but I have really bad anxiety and I always feel the pressure to have the perfect image, outfit, etc. I have learned to not go by that idea, but instead post my best work and not worry about people's opinions. I know not everyone will love my photos or even my page, but does it really matter in the scheme of things? I love doing it, and I've met amazing people through it, so the good certainly outweighs the negative. As far as self-esteem, I would say keep your head up, and do your thing. You have to love who you are first and foremost, and don't care about the bullies. If you are yourself, then you ARE AMAZING AND UNIQUE. Always remember that. Please feel free to always DM me for advice and with questions, I am here for anyone who needs some encouragement/help at any time!!

With that last question, concludes my FIRST Q&A post... coming next will be a part 2 with fashion questions and more personal ones as well. Now that I'm thinking, would you be interested in an advice post every once in a while? Where you send in questions to me, and I give advice (anonymously of course)? Let me know through a DM if you'd participate and benefit from one, like once a month or so!

Thank you so much as always for reading and supporting me!

XOXO, LovedbyRileyB