As humans, there’s always a reason for our being. Whether professionally or personally, there are always reasons that make us tick (in a good way).
THE LOOK | dress (under $40), hat (last seen in other colors here and here), celine sunglasses (similar here under $100)
Find Your Why – My Professional Why
I’ve always known I wanted to be in the fashion industry. I was exposed to the fashion industry from a younger age since my sister is six and a half years older than me. I never even questioned what I was going to do in life. Anyone and everyone who knew me, knew I was going to go into fashion. I studied Fashion Merchandising and Communications in college and wasn’t positive what I wanted to do. Thankfully, my internship in a sales position showed me that I did not want anything to do with sales (although I work very closely with my sales team now…but ya know what I mean.)
But I knew I simply loved fashion. And that became my professional why.
When I began my career in 2014, it felt natural almost immediately. Sure, I needed to learn a lot, but I felt completely in my element from the beginning. Now that I’m over three years into my role as a Merchandiser, I know how important my job is. Without my team, there would be no collection. I don’t mean that in a stuck up way at all. Obviously without our designers or sales or planning or marketing teams we wouldn’t have a collection. I just mean that my team is an integral part of the business – and there’s only three of us. That’s pretty cool to me. Every day I go to work and I’m part of making important decisions that help make my company money. That’s why I always try to stay very positive when I have to wake up every morning and go to work. Of course there are days when I just want to do nothing but lay in bed, but I know I need to get out of bed and go to work to continue making important decisions with my team.
Find Your Why – My Blogging Why
When I started Pink Champagne Problems, I never imagined it was going to give me a whole new why. A why that was completely separate from my day job.
I thought it was going to just be a fun, creative outfit. Something to do for myself. Obviously, it has turned into something a lot more than just a creative outlet. In my earlier years of blogging, my why was pretty apparent: Pink Champagne Problems was a place where I shared outfit inspiration with those who read my blog. And that was my why for almost five years.
In 2017, you may have noticed that I started shifting my blog focus.
After I started running Pink Champagne Problems as a business, I realized I had a new why, a new reason for writing. I wanted to grow my business, and that wasn’t going to happen if I just shared outfit photos with no depth. I noticed you were just not responding the way you used to (which we can get to in a different blog post for a different day).
So I switched it up: I started writing about topics that would prompt engagement from my readers. Sometimes I write posts for bloggers, and other times I write posts for anyone and everyone. Either way, I’m writing with a purpose. In today’s blogging world, it’s really hard to stand out. So of course, I want to continue sharing my outfit photos with you because fashion is such a huge part of my life, but I also want to TALK to you. Instead of having you click a ton of different links so I can make a few dollars off your purchase, I want you to get to know me. I’m a people person by nature. And this is honestly such an amazing way to get to know others: every comment, every email, every liked photo, every retweeted tweet (plus more) does not go unnoticed. I’m sometimes so shocked that people come to read my blog every day or follow along on Instagram for a more personal look into my life. It’s really amazing. And I’m so thankful to have this space on the Interest.
Yeah, this one is a pretty cool why.
Find Your Why – My Personal Why
When I take a look at my profession why and my blogging why, I see glimpses of my personal why.
Both of my whys mentioned above are a huge part of who I am. I am an extremely passionate person. When I love something or someone, I’m all in 100%. When I care about something, I care about it or them more than myself. You can say these types of characteristics are seen in my professional and my blogging whys. But when you look at Dana, the normal girl from Staten Island, New York there’s a lot more to her. I’m very good at being a younger, annoying sister to the only sister I have. I like to think that I’m being a good daughter to the parents who raised me right. I love being a good friend to the people who have been there for me through everything…even though we’d like to kill each other at times. And of course, I love giving my all to my relationship with Matt. Which actually isn’t very hard because our relationship came so naturally to me. My family, friends, and boyfriend are my personal why. Without them, what would be my reason to be, you know? I’m a very sentimental person, and I always make sure I’m telling the people I love the most that I love them the most – cause you just never know.
You don’t have to have one why. In fact, I think it’s a really special thing to have many whys. Your whys are the things that keep you going, keep you motivated, and keep you being you. Let’s talk about our whys – how did you find your why? Tell me about what makes you get out of bed in the morning (it can obviously be funny AF if you want…cause I’m all about the jokes)…I WANT TO KNOW! PS: You may hear people always talking about how you have to “find your why”, but maybe we should talk about living out your why next. Thoughts?!
SHOP THE POST:
nuggets get me out of bed in the morning hahaha oh god I’m funny…but like actually loved this post dana! and these are probably some of my favorite photos of you!
xo
allie
pretaprovost.com
I mean I’m definitely on the same page as you 😉 We love nuggets!
This is such a great post Dana! I think it’s impossible to give 100% if you don’t know why you’re doing something whether it’s work, a relationship, or a blog!
ALSO saw this dress on you in another photo somewhere and was obsessed so I was so happy to see there was a full blog post with it ?
xx Caroline
http://www.whenwear.com
YES! I agree with you!
…and really?! Hahah yeah I feel like I posted this on IG so long ago! It was about time 😉
I’m so obsessed with your new content!! I actually shared your things to focus on when developing your career goals post on LinkedIn but we weren’t connected so I couldn’t tag you 🙂 Keep it up, rock star!
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
Thank you so much, Tess! That really means a lot. And OMG, I don’t even check my LinkedIn, which is terrible. But thank you for letting me know, I really appreciate that!
xx
Loved this post! I definitely agree that you can have multiple “whys” and they are all apart of who you are! In fact, you’ve been a huge inspiration to me in focusing more on content that I enjoy and that my readers would enjoy, versus just talking about why my top is so great, you know? I think it’s made blogging a lot easier for me, and makes it feel more “important.” So thanks for being an inspiration 🙂
Lauren
http://oliverstwistblog.com
CRYING!
Thank you so much, Lauren! Your content is amazing and I’m so flattered that you think I’m some sort of inspiration to you!
xx
Such a good post!! In broadcasting school last year, our school director told all the students that we need to find our life mission statement and live by that. This post reminded me a lot of his words! 🙂 So great to learn more about the inspo between your day job and blog!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
That’s awesome! I so agree with your school director – my next steps are definitely LIVING out my whys. Thanks for stopping by, lady! xx
Loved this post! I do look forward to your daily posts and love what I learn from them or how I can relate to them. I’m only in my first year of blogging and I am still trying to find my “why” as I don’t want to be just another style/beauty blogger. I love blogging and I hope I find my why soon so I can connect more with my viewers!
Julia
http://humidityistheenemy.com
Aww thank you so much, Julia! I really appreciate that and I’m so glad you’re enjoying my content – if you ever have any questions please don’t hesitate to shoot me and email! xx
This post is amazing! It truly is important to have more than one “why” in your life! Very relatable!
xo
Sara
http://www.saramagnolia.com/
Thanks, Sara! So glad you can relate! xx
Dana, you’re awesome! I’ve figured out my personal why, and I’m on a mission to figure out my professional why! I love when you talk about your job in merchandising – it’s so great to hear about how much you love your job. To be fulfilled on the daily is something I’m definitely striving for. I’ve probably mentioned it before, but would love to learn more about your merchandising gig! Maybe a series 😉
Lisa
Thank you, Lisa!!! Can’t wait to hear about your professional why – totally OK that you don’t have it all figured out yet (I mean who actually does?). I definitely want to share a “week at my day job” or something like that, so that could be a little series!
Pink Champagne Problems
These photos are so beautiful! Finding you “why” is so important…without purpose, what’s the point? Being a new blogger, I like what you said about adding more depths to your posts and making sure each one has a specific topic that others can take something away from. This will be something I incorporate into my own posts!
Mia | http://www.verymuchmia.com
Thanks for stopping by, Mia! I’m so glad you found this post helpful. I definitely see a much better response now that I have substance in my posts – highly recommend!
xx
you were one of the first bloggers I worked with when I started my jewelry business and it was such an amazing experience working with you. Years later I still follow you and read your blog for inspiration and i want to just say thank you for always being so real. This blog post gave me a great boost of inspo and I’m thinking about writing down my own “whys”
keep up the amazing work !! LOVE IT ALL !!
YES! I always remember our very first collab, it was SO exciting for both of us! I’m so happy we’re still connected here and thank you so much for your sweet words – they mean so much!
xx