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Blogging

What blogging has done to me

July 19, 2013

Hey guys, this is probably going to be a wordy one, but it’s something I’ve been thinking of writing for days.I’ve been blogging for a little more than a year now, and I want to say that it has done so much to me and for me that I cannot imagine where I would be without it.

(it means the world to me if you actually read through all of it so thank you in advance!!)

When I first started, it wasn’t on impulse or a haste decision. I’ve always admired the beauty and fashion vloggers, I follow their videos obsessively (along with many other comedy channels on Youtube, I’m just a nerd like that.) and since I spend most of my time either on the internet or in the malls, I actually accumulated quite a bit of opinion on how to dress and present myself.

Since as young as I can remember, shopping for clothes is what I look forward to every weekend with my parents, and as I grew up, I remember people telling me that “oh you’re not that fat” or “you don’t look that fat”. (But of course there are the usual fat nicknames and teases that are just fabulous) What I often say in reply (and with a half sad smile) is, “it’s only cause I know what to pick so it doesn’t show off my fats.”

Truth is, the reason why I got into all these fashion and beauty is because I’m am a very self-conscious person. I care about what people say about me or how people look at me, to the point where literally, I would be guessing what that girl standing next to me at the bus stop is probably thinking about me. And this isn’t healthy.

Skip a little bit ahead to when I moved back to Hong Kong, and here I finally get a chance to re-invent myself. This city can be quite a mean one, but it’s also a big one, and sometimes it’s a very fashion-tolerating one (even though it’s also very fashion-conscious).  I was not doing much with my time, and working at an office then meant that I no longer could go around in t-shirt and shorts (let’s all be honest here, there really isn’t a point to dress amazingly for school when I can get 15 more minutes to sleep). I won ChristingC (Fashion Hedonism)’s Forever 21 contest, & I was also so inspired by Superwowomg and all the other bloggers in HK, that I just starting messing about with the self-timer on my father’s DSLR, and this is how it all got started. Just taking pictures of what I wore to work and along the way realised I’m not as ugly/fat as I/some people made me out to be (I must emphasise on my low self-confidence and that I’m not a big headed B-word)

Another thing is, Hong Kong have some amazing fashion in the thrifty area if you know where to go (and a lil bit of cantonese is probs essential). Sometimes I see people on Instagram paying a painful price for what I saw in Argyle Centre or Fa Yuen Street and I think to myself, oh gosh, I really have to write something about this. Yeah, being a student means you have to be on the student budget, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look good (or have to wear the same shirt 3 times a week).

That, that was why I started writing and putting myself out there (for people to judge). By some god sent miracle, I became a GUESS One to Watch blogger, I was asked to visit the Sebago store, I became Sassy Hong Kong’s intern. (I have name cards… Insane!??!) I’ve met some amazing people along the way and I’ve learnt so so so SO much. So many people are willing to teach me things, and this all led me to see so many things that others my age aren’t able to see or experience.

I try not to be so hard on myself, even though there are nights where I look at my stats and wonder are the only people who reads my blog really my friends and my mum. I’m not particularly stylish, and probably only on lucky days my outfit look marginally fashionable. But I have to keep reminding myself that success isn’t my main goal, that I shouldn’t compare, and really, I’ve already gained so much (self-confidence in particular) and am so privileged to be where I am right now.

Deep down, I’m still the same child that’s not so happy, super shy and a nervous wreck who can’t speak properly when I’m meeting new people. But I’m also growing into Abella, the alter ego I created for myself, the one who’s creative, optimistic, and not so self-conscious girl who’s happy with not being able to afford luxury goods and still can see the much brighter side on that.

At the HKFB 2nd Anniversary Party, I was very inspired by the panel of bloggers. It’s true that not everyone can afford what they show of the glossy pages of magazines, but it’s about what you see in the world, and how it translates into your style and how you express yourself.

Thanks everyone who’s been on this journey with me so far and made it amazing. I’m really so blessed. I’ll continue to work hard and be where I want to be.

Love,
Karen
x

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  1. Megan says

    July 19, 2013 at 11:17 am

    Can’t agree more about what you write.I followed lots of fashion youtubeers too(like clothescounters,the fashioncitizen etc.) I feel the same, its all about espressing ourself in our way.As an ordinary high school student like me now, I cannot efford expensive items, so thirfting is like a paradise for me to find unique pieces and dress in my own way.
    What blooging means to me is to be myself, and I am still figuring out my own special way to do it:)
    HK mode:Add oil girl:P
    Megan xx
    exteriorlock.blogspot.hk

    Reply
    • Karen Abella says

      July 23, 2013 at 4:50 pm

      Thank you thank you so much for your comment and for reading through my word vomit!! (I swear I replied earlier but somehow my comment disappeared sobs)

      I definitely agree re the thrifting & making it your own thing. To be able to make something out of little or close to nothing is way more precious than stealing off the runways directly :p

      Thank you again and PS I love your blog!! Would love to meet you some time 🙂

      K
      x

      Reply
    • Megan says

      July 24, 2013 at 4:58 pm

      Yay, I feel like we are on the same side too:P
      Would Love to meet you in person,Please Email me:Exteriorlock@gmail.com for details if you are up for it!
      !Btw I know you speak and write catonese too right(via IG:P)? How awsome,haha
      Thanks for reading my blog girl:p

      Megan xx

      Reply
  2. exoddinary says

    July 23, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    Great post! I can relate to a lot of the things you wrote. I’m a very shy, self-conscious person too. I also keep up with a lot of YouTubers and bloggers to begin with, so that’s what inspired me to blog.

    & Don’t be hard on yourself with the stats. To be honest, I don’t even know how many views per post counts as popular! But regardless, blogging is like an outlet, an outlet which you can meet a lot of people!

    Success is not my main goal either. Rather, having a platform to meet people (like you!) and share my thoughts is what makes it worth my time. It’s also increased my self-confidence tremendously, since I used to be that unpopular kid at high school ha!

    Definitely keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll discover all the benefits along the way!

    xx

    Reply
    • Karen Abella says

      July 23, 2013 at 4:52 pm

      <3 <3 <3 x a million plus a million kisses to you!!!

      This is what I mean, meeting people who share the same interest (and personality lol #twins) is so precious to me. Psh babe you know nothing about unpopularity, I must share my stories with you one day over coffee hahaha (or better, cosmos lol)

      Thank you thank you and you too! So glad I met you.

      K
      x

      Reply
  3. Kia Wan says

    September 23, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    Dear Karen,
    I do not follow many fashion blogger and usually not interested in spending more than 15mins in fashion blog,but your pictures and sharing do make me cant help to stay!
    It is touching to see one sharing true feelings online. Like you i am also a very self-conscious person (though i pretend i don’t care) , care about what people say and think about me. I always wonder if i have achieved the standard that other people want me to achieve. For example when i first want to be a vegetarian, i cared so much when people said”why you want to be vegan?it is sick” or “so are you keeping fit?”, i seldom talk about my change in public as afraid of people’ judgement. However then one day i suddenly realise, actually people do not care what you do/feel as mush as you do! Since life is short and nothing is going to lose, i started sharing my home-made vegan food on instagram, and then eventually as i wanna promote green lifestyle so much i have even created a facebook page ,ask friends around me to like and share (yes like insurance guy), which i wont be brave enough to do in the past, haha. Though the page has just set up for less than 2 weeks, i have received so many support and positive comments from friends. Also god has sent some wonderful people to help me as well. All i am saying to say is, many wonderful experience in our world are started by being brave enough to voice out ! Don’t stop chasing your dream, otherwise people will hire you to help chasing their own dream. Being a fashion blogger in HK is not easy but trust me you have potential (fyi i was a fashion student in uni before).

    Sorry for so many words above!

    Best regards,
    Kia

    P.s. I have just followed you on ig, your account looks amazing <3 Cheers, look forward to your update.

    Reply
    • helloabella says

      September 24, 2014 at 1:01 pm

      Dear Kia,

      Thank you so much for your kind words, they truly touched me and people like you are what keeps me going. From my blog, the most precious thing I’ve gotten out of it is meeting genuinely nice people like you and making lifelong friends. I loved that you shared your story with me, and I admire what you do so much. What you said is right, we definitely have to keep chasing our dreams.

      Please do keep in touch, and I hope to meet you in person one day. Keep doing what you do! I’ve followed your facebook page as well, support you always!

      Love, Karen x

      Reply

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