Before April this year, I hadn’t ever commented on a blog post. Well, that might be a lie, I think I tried to comment on Hannah Gale’s blog one time a few years ago, but I’m still not sure if my comment ever actually posted (I didn’t really know what I was doing, lol techno-idiot), and even if it did, in all the years I’ve been reading blogs – a LOT – that’s still shockingly little activity.
Neither had I commented on or responded to people’s Instagram photos, facebook posts, or tweets. I might have liked the odd one, but that was very rare, so I would essentially just look at the content and stay silent. I was a lurker.
Having now entered the blogging arena (makes it sound a bit like the Hunger Games – hopefully it’s not) myself, I’ve come to appreciate just how much it means for someone to read and comment on something you have put time and effort into, particularly given the balls it takes to put yourself out there online.
I’ve literally only been doing this for a matter of weeks, and that might be part of it – because I’m so amazed that anyone has commented on my tiny fledgling blog at all – but when someone leaves a comment on Sophar So Good, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (cringe). And I feel really grateful that someone has taken precious minutes out of their day to read something I’ve written and then tell me what they thought. Isn’t that just so damn nice?!
As a result of this, since starting to blog myself I have been making an effort to actively engage with the content of blogs I’ve been reading for months, or in many instances years. Because I want to get involved in the blogging community and connect with people, but also because I genuinely do enjoy what they put out there on their blogs and social feeds, and I want to make sure that they know that I am an engaged member of their audience (or that I think they’re an absolute goddess and I’m a fangirl #nochill). With blogging becoming more of a saturated market than ever before and more and more creative, resourceful gals and guys beginning to hustle their way to making actual money from it, it’s really hit home that it’s important to show support to people who I want to continue making content for me to consume with a follow, like, or comment.
If you’ve ever been one for lurker-like tendencies too (totally understand), I really would recommend getting involved – you might play a part in pushing someone closer to being considered for an amazing campaign for a brand, for example, but most importantly you might just make someone’s day. It’s actually been one of my favourite things about my blogging journey so far – getting to interact with people who I think produce great work, and being able to tell them that!
So I would like to take this opportunity to issue an apology, to those bloggers whose work I have long read, enjoyed and admired. If you’re a blogger reading this and I’ve been commenting on your blog posts or Insta photos recently, it’s likely that you are one of them – I should have engaged with your content and made my appreciation of it known way earlier than I have done, not just because in some cases it’s your audience and engagement that pays the bills but also because telling someone that you think they’re doing a great job is just a darn good thing to do. It’s nice to be nice.
Top – Topshop | Jeans – New Look | Loafers – Primark | Sunnies – Primark
The outfit
Ahhh, gingham. Takes you back to first school, doesn’t it? I’m pretty much in love with this Topshop number right now; I love the gingham, I love the shade of blue and I extra love the gloriously voluminous layered sleeves. Paired with blue mom jeans and a pair of gold loafers which I picked up for a mere £3, it’s the perfect mix of pretty and cool, in my humble opinion, which isn’t worth much but I’m telling you anyway. One of my favourite recent weekend looks, but I’m totally going to try to make the gingham work for the office too (degree of success TBC).
Photos: Rob Poor
Sophar So Good 
All these pictures are gorge but that last one of you with the daisy is just beautiful! I adore gingham at the moment, I loved it when I was at school and I love it now haha! It really is so nice to engage with other bloggers isn’t it, I probably only started doing it properly within the last year – I’ve definitely been a lurker in the past!
Amy xx
http://www.callmeamy.co.uk
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Ahhh thanks so much Amy – that was a bit of a random one but I was pleased with how it turned out! YES me too about the gingham, obsessed (may have bought another top today…). Glad I’m not the only previous lurker, really enjoying getting involved now though 🙂 xxx
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commenting on blogs is part of my daily routine now. its just because i want people to kow that i love their work.
❤︎
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I think that’s such a great thing to do! I am trying to also set aside a little time each day for the same thing 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting lovely xxxx
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When I started blogging I thought it was embarrassing to comment on other blogs (especially since I basically like to admit I’m a fangirl!) but ever since people started commented on mine – I definitely see how it can be beneficial in terms of socialising with others with the same interests as you! Plus it really develops a community and I know that comments on my blog make me feel fab so commenting on others does the same 🙂 Lovely post girl!! xx
Fatima x http://www.fatimawrites.co.uk
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Yes that was it for me too, one of the reasons I didn’t ever comment before was because I was kind of embarrassed about doing it! Which feels silly now, because as you say, people leaving comments makes me feel fab so it’s lovely to do that for someone else too. Thanks so much for reading and commenting 🙂 xxx
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AMEN! Love this post.
xx. The Coastal Confidence – Aubrey
http://the-coastalconfidence.com/
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Yay! Thanks lady, glad you approve 🙂 xxx
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Commenting is a great way to network! I have a few bloggers that always comment on my posts and I visit their blogs a few times it week. It’s really nice because over the years I feel like I’ve really gotten to know them!
Corinne x
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That’s true, it is just networking really isn’t it which is always a useful thing to be doing. That’s so nice, hopefully I will get the same of thing going presuming I stick at it as long as you have done! x
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Ive always been pretty good at leaving comments, I sit on the bus in the mornings and do as many as I can.
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Ahhh that’s a good routine to have – thats definitely one thing a bus journey every morning is good for, getting stuff done! x
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Firstly, this shirt is absolutely incredible and i need it in my life. Secondly, absolutely love this post, I used to comment a lot more when I had more time as I adored reading/getting involved and I miss that so much. It IS nice to be nice, and I think sometimes we underestimate how much it can put a smile on someone’s face!
Elle
xx
http://www.theellenextdoor.com
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Thanks so much Elle, this was such a great comment to read and put the biggest grin on my face (yours is one of those blogs I have been reading years and years!). It can seriously brighten someone’s day can’t it, and that’s a brilliant thing to be able to do for someone 🙂 The shirt is my faveee at the moment! xxx
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I know what you mean it is just the nicest feeling when you see you have a new comment on a post. It means so so much to me, you look lovely btw. I try to comment on as many blogs as I can, the content out there is so good and it only takes a few minutes per post. I am the worst for skimming over Instagram though xxx
ALittleKiran | Bloglovin
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It really is, isn’t it! (so thank you so much for commenting on mine and giving me that same feeling) Such a good thing to do, as you say it only takes a few minutes and there’s so much good stuff out there! xxx
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I’ve been blogging for a while now but I still totally feel the same way, I’ll get a nice comment and it literally makes my day!
I love your outfit here as well, these photos make it look like you’re pretty much a blogging pro so props to you! I’m in love with your sunglasses too! 🙂
Julia // The Sunday Mode
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Ahhh that is such a great compliment, thank you so much! My photographer (aka my poor, long-suffering boyfriend) will be pleased to hear that. And yes, totally agree, nice comments can actually make my day – yours did 🙂 Glad to hear that that doesnt disappear when you’ve been blogging for a while too! 🙂
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Love the photos, your outfit is lovely!
I always think, that if you distribute positive energy, whether that be in person or a comment on someone’s blog or instagram photo, the positive vibes will only come back to you at some point.
Great post!
BLUSH & NOISE
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Thanks so much gal 🙂 Completely agree, love that as an attitude to life! Thanks for reading xxx
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This is such a lovely post! So to follow your theme here, I’ll stop being a lurker and write a comment! 🙂 That last picture of you with the daisy is gorgeous, and I just love how you combine your fashion posts with different messages that go beyond just what you’re wearing!
xx ❤
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Well this was a lovely comment to read – thank you so much (although you are of course welcome to lurk too should you so wish ☺️) Really appreciate you saying that xxx
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The simplicity yet chic-ness of this outfit it’s everything. I’m so glad I read this post, I must admit I’m a lurker. And in all honestly with this post and entering the blogging community is that I’m slowly learning the importance of commenting not only on post but also on IG and chatting on Twitter. I’ve been surprised of how nice people are even if they have x amount of followers. Thanks for yet again another reminder that commenting and being involve it’s so important. 💕
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Thank you so much! 🙂 This was such a nice comment to read and I totally agree, I’ve found that people have been so lovely – including those with thousands and thousands of followers which is just so great! Thank you for reading xxx
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I love writing on posts and supporting people on Instagram and Twitter too! I’m not the biggest fan on comment groups because I feel like they’re doing it for the follow back and that it isn’t as genuine as I’d like it to be. Your blog is one of my faves- your writing and captions often make me smile because it shows your personality and I like that in a blogger. Plus your photos are always so lovely- super jelly you have a photographer 🤓
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