I’m noticing a bit of a trend happening right now in the blogosphere…seems that a few of us are feeling a lack of inspiration to some degree – something I completely understand. What’s frustrating is that I don’t think it necessarily means disinterest or that we still don’t feel excitement about beauty – god knows that I still spend hours trying to find products for my ‘ideal skincare regimen’ and I continuously ogle over everything in Sephora even though I need to hang on to my money for dear life right now. The latter I think is partially why I’m kind of stuck: when you’re feeling financial pressures, indulging in excess (for sure any further makeup purchases IS an excess for me) can be quite stressful. So, even though I have a few products to write about, I almost feel guilty that I have anything new in the first place (and some products I didn’t even purchase!). It’s sort of a moot point now since they’re all being used, so I just need to get over it, right?
Of course, the other side of the equation is that it’s the holiday season, and I’m busy as F#@K. I’ve decided since New Zealand that there is no point in denying it any longer – I’m a party girl (you saw the photo evidence!). Yep, that’s what I am, a social butterfly, and while I have a serious hermit side to me, my outgoing side is clearly stronger. On top of that, I’m working shifts at Clinique to supplement my income, so these two things combined leave me with about one night a week to myself. No offense, but on those nights I do NOT want to be sitting in front of my computer, but rather laying prone on the couch in front of the (faux) fireplace drinking rum and eggnog. Ahhhh, yes.
Today is my day off from my regular job, but I didn’t have much of a weekend as I worked at Clinique yesterday, and I was busy all day/night Saturday (though it WAS all fun stuff – writing letters from Santa with my mom and mail carrier uncle, and going to see The Nutcracker ballet/symphony with my mom, our annual holiday event 
). So my inclination is to totally veg and do a whole lot of nothing before my 13 hour day tomorrow (since I work at Clinique tomorrow night). However, it’s also stressing me out to be so behind on blogging, so I think a few posts are in order first before I can truly relax.
Fear not my friends, as this whole situation is only temporary, and I’ve already begun mentally drafting out how I want Beauty Obsessed to play out in the New Year. There will be changes: aside from aesthetically, the blog needs to reflect my personality better and follow a different path – I feel like I have been *trying* to model myself after other, more popular blogs, but it doesn’t feel right to me and hence, I write less. So in the New Year, a more authentic blog will be coming your way. I hope you like it!
*End of rambling PSA. Back to work now!*
#1 by BurbBeauty on December 10, 2012 - 11:48 am
I’m right there with you. For me, it’s not so much purchase guilt (I was born without that gene) as it is that I’ve just be SO busy. No time for nail care, no time for photos, or editing, and posting…blerg. I don’t really see an end in sight either!
I’m super looking forward to your 2013 changes. I love reading you blog, so if you love it enough to post more often, it can only improve.
BTW, did you ever find your package at work? Email me about it. <3
#2 by Latoya on December 13, 2012 - 7:59 am
Aww thank you Lola!!! That’s really sweet of you to say! It’s comments like that that make me really dedicated to improving
I think being so so busy this time of year pretty much eradicates all time to blog. I sat down on my day off Monday and wrote three posts and took photos for seven. ALL DAY. But since, I haven’t had time to READ any blogs – so I’m halfway there, but damn!!
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#3 by Larie on December 10, 2012 - 3:35 pm
Oh, I feel you on so many levels. Busy, yes. Don’t want to spend my free time pumping out reviews/whatever, yes. And you do need to be yourself! I am looking forward to seeing your blog really reflect you, too!
Go, Toya!
#4 by Latoya on December 13, 2012 - 8:01 am
Thanks Larie! I really hope it comes together. It’s hard to visualize right now because of being so busy, but I have some ideas
It’s kinda frustrating that the holidays are a perfect time to do reviews, but are one of the rarest times to be able to do so. The life of a blogger, eh?
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#5 by Eugenia on December 11, 2012 - 8:39 am
Toya, I’ve said this to you before but it’s worth repeating: there is no ONE set way that you should blog; don’t lose sight of the fact of why you began your blog in the first place and more importantly, for whom – yourself. Inspiration/posts can come from a diverse source and while yes, it’s always nice to know about what beauty products/collections are coming our way, trying to keep up with them all is a lesson in futility and one guaranteed to build your frustration levels. You have a wonderfully creative mind and your reviews have continued to blossom – your fresh and honest style is always welcome, so basically, stick to what you do best: be Toya.
I think that this [temporary] gloominess is more rooted in certain events of your recent past coupled with the fact that there is a financial pressure on you now…sprinkled with some exhaustion. Since you love compiling lists, here’s one for you: make a list of your life priorities and I believe you’ll see that there are way more important things out there than churning out X amount of posts or racing to buy every new beauty product that hits counters.
In an ideal world, I would (and could) blow it all on cosmetics – assuming I had unlimited funds. But you know what I’ve realized? 2 things, really. 1) buying whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, would ultimately turn out to be boring as s*%t and 2) this is an endless loop, as cosmetics brands will always come out with something newer, better, fancier, more limited, blah, blah, blah. So to chase that, is futile and personally, I have way better things to do with my time and money than that.
I’ve changed many of my ways because I made a mental priority list; does that mean I still don’t crave all the gorgeous products/collections out there? No….it means that barring a few exceptions, I am now tailoring my purchases more carefully – they have to meet specific criteria. Doing that has helped me in many ways: I no longer just voraciously buy (and end up with near duplicates of everything) but augment and enhance what I already own. It’s also had an interesting side effect – it has basically killed off the “lemming” component because I now I shop with the finely honed instincts of a jungle cat, lol!
I have a million ideas floating through my head of posts I wish to write; my problem is not one of lack of inspiration, but more a lack of time. We all suffer from a lack of time to one degree or another, so factor that into your mood as well.
Ok…enough philosophizing….all this blather to say, this is just a blip on your radar and don’t spend any more time sweating it; what will be, will be and it will pass. That’s it.
YAY for blog snow!!!
#6 by Latoya on December 17, 2012 - 7:48 am
Yay for blog snow is right! LOL! And it follows your cursor now too, fun!
Of course, all this advice is very sound and reasonable, Eugenia. I think that my move toward a more ‘authentically Latoya’ blog is centered around just what you’re saying. Though I usually end up resisting buying any more makeup unless it fits my criteria, like you do, I still do get waves of intense ‘I want I want I want!’ From time to time, and that’s what I hope to conquer! It’s easier or harder depending on my mental state at the time haha.
I do appreciate your kind words of encouragement – it always helps to have a ‘reality check’ now and again!!
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#7 by Amy on December 12, 2012 - 8:06 pm
No worries about “neglecting” the blog––we all have our phases (mine’s lasted for…2 months now? sheesh), and there’s no reason to spend what little free time you have doing computery stuff! I look forward to seeing what the new year will bring
#8 by Latoya on December 17, 2012 - 7:55 am
I hope I don’t disappoint you! I think I found one way to enjoy it more – use my day off to photograph and compose a few posts for the upcoming week or two – then they’re done and I have much less stress!
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#9 by Liz (@Reductionista) on December 17, 2012 - 10:11 pm
I like the sound of a more authentic Beauty Obsessed.
I think we all tend to mimic certain voices when we start because we’ve probably been inspired several key voices to make that beginning in the first place. Eventually we settle in and find our stride.
I have no issues with changes both external or internal either. We evolve as people and it’s only right that our blogs do the same with us. I’m excited for what’s in store for you!
#10 by Latoya on January 8, 2013 - 8:13 am
It’s funny, I think I’ve technically been blogging than some of you gals (it was in August 2008 that I tentatively started…very haphazard though and went ages without new posts), but you all got your stride much faster than I. Which doesn’t surprise me as I’ve always had trouble sticking to one ‘way’, one idea or theme, one voice that is distinctly mine. I’m slowly getting there though I hope, through blogging and in life! I hope it becomes apparent this year in my writing
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