Hi. This is me introducing a word vomit blog post.
Obviously, I’ve been a little busy this summer. For the month of July, my blog came last on my list of priorities. As I mentioned yesterday, I made lots of new friends by joining the theatre here, and I wanted to spend my time with them during and after rehearsal. I was having fun running when I felt like it and doing my fitmixer boot camp workouts. I didn’t have much to slap on here other than twirls, splits in the air, and shouts to the effect of “YAY! I LOVE SUMMER! THIS IS FUN! LIFE’S GOOD RIGHT NOW!“
Which is why you all got some righteous content this summer. 
Sorry about that.
But at the same time, I’m not sorry. I’m generally not a fan of my favorite bloggers apologizing for being M.I.A., and I won’t assume any of you were distressed by the absence. I don’t like feeling like I need to blog. This is obviously something I do in my spare time, and when I have no spare time… welp….
I try hard to maintain a grasp of individuality over here on LOB. In the Healthy Living Blog community, it’s sometimes hard to do . The same companies approach several bloggers at one time, and as a result, several blogs end up featuring the same product. It happens, and I don’t blame readers for rolling their eyes at repetitive product mentions and reviews.
I prefer to be the upside-downy girl.
And there’s another thing. I didn’t start a blog so I could get free stuff and throw it at my readers. I birthed this little bloggity because I love writing, I liked chronicling my running journey, and I like sharing little tidbits I’ve learned. I’ve never been an outstanding photographer, I make typos, I probably leave grammatical errors, and don’t pretend to be a professional fitness guru. This has become a spot where I can share things with people I’ve grown to love over my almost 2-year journey. I know each of us bloggers say we “blog for me,” but I’d be lying if I didn’t say it warms my heart when people do enjoy what I’m throwing down.
A few months ago while on vacation, I made the mistake of scheduling two review posts in one week. I was informed very quickly I was becoming a sell-out, and that (silly-ly — yeah, I just made up a word) hurt my heart a little bit. I want to make you laugh. I want to share things with you. I want to add a little happiness in your lives (WOAH, am I getting a little too sappy?) I want to share products I like with you. I hated the fact that I could come across as someone who will push something on my blog I don’t believe in, because I won’t. Nothing you see on LOB is something I don’t believe in.
This is actually what I picture my readers doing sometimes.
I don’t write reviews when I don’t enjoy a product. I’m learning to say “no” when I’m too overloaded with giveaways or when I don’t think my readers will be interested in what is being offered. Free stuff can be great, but I’d prefer to keep a blog more focused on content than product reviews. And it seems as if readers are unhappy if bloggers offer too many free products.
Moving forward, I plan on continuing in the theatre world (I hope), I plan on prioritizing fitness, and I plan on blogging when I can. I want to listen to my readers and I want to have a blog they enjoy visiting every so often.
SO, WHO WANTS FREE YOGURT/GRANOLA/BARS/JUICE/SPOONS/MARKERS/BANANA SANDWICHES? Leave 67 comments, hop three times, and yell your favorite condiment in your best Miley Cyrus voice.
Just kidding.
But if you do want to comment on the kinds of things you do like seeing here and would like to see in the future, throw it at me.
I love you guys.
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
Cheers to that! Great outlook.. great post. And you are absolutely hilarious.
Ashley @ Sweat for Sweets recently posted..Grilled Salmon with Peach Salsa
bahahhaha your pics crack me up! way to be honest.. the blog world has def gotten out of control, and some of the products are so dumb! i realize some are trying to make money, but some of the things they say and do on their blogs are SO out there!
so u go girl, do your thing, write when you want.. dont worry about us..
I would NOT characterize you as a sell out in any way! ha you’re so unique in an awesome way and confident in yourself that I am sure everyone can see you’re not a sell out. people make mistakes sometimes! I love your view on blogging though – not feeling like you HAVE to do it…I need to learn to get in that mindset sometimes when I am super stressed out! Thanks for sharing!
Alyssa recently posted..Why I Blog
l love reading your blog, you are hilarious and always have great things to share. If I am ever tired of reading reviews or jumping through hoops to earn a comment for a giveaway, then I just don’t. It’s that simple. We all have things going on, you are not a sell out!
You’re one of my favorite bloggers so I will probably read anything you post. Do whatever your heart desires – it’s your blog! I don’t care if you post 4 giveaways in the span of one hour or if you post 1 post about kesha in the span of one month. I will keep reading and will probably love it. Rock on girl!
Erin recently posted..Golfing, CPR, and Slaw
Agreed. 100%!
Y’all are so sweet. Thank you for that.
I’m a long time reader even though I don’t comment too often. Just wanted to let you know that I love your blog!! I read 6 blogs consistently and yours in one of them
Glad you decided to post this. Love you, girlie. xoxox
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries recently posted..Is it Just Me?
Girl, I totally feel you. I’ve realized how important it is to just do what makes you happy, and if blogging that day isn’t going to do it, you can’t force yourself!
Jillian @ sprinkle massacre recently posted..Not On Schedule
Love your choice of pictures for this post
.
Emily @ Perfection Isn’t Happy recently posted..Simple Things: A through Z
I hear ya, sistah.
My life is a whirlwind right now – I’m training for a half marathon, taking a TON of self-study courses to facilitate changing careers in the next month or two and just trying to enjoy the rest of the summer before it’s all gone! What took the backseat: the blog. Do I care? Hell no! Glad to hear your priorities are in order too!
I love that you don’t put up ridonkulous giveaways. Not that I ever win them, but still…I’m not going to “pin/tweet/like/blog/smoke-signal” in order to qualify like other blogs require. Why aren’t comments enough?
Anyhoo…you keep being you and I’ll keep reading.
Carolyn @HealthKitten.com recently posted..Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
I agree with many of the others. I love your blog and think you’re hilarious. So just keep doing you, and I’ll be a happy camper.
Kristen @ notsodomesticated recently posted..A change of pace!
Personally I’m humbled and impressed by any blogger who actually listens to what their readers say. So many just delete any comment that asks a question or gives a slightly different opinion. I think you are hilarious and I really do enjoy your blog. Giveaways or not.
Amber K recently posted..Bang My Head Now
I love reading your blog. It makes me smile and laugh and everything in between. I think my favorite thing to hear about is your running adventures. I really started reading it when you trained for the MCM….which I will be running the 10k at in case you make your way up here again
It is handy to hear about how you ran in the heat as I am trying to run my first half and started training this summer in MD and its hot here.
Laura recently posted..Look what came in today and a baby!!
I gotta admit, I never said anything but your blog is one in my usual “rotation” and I kind of felt like the giveaways were getting a little out of control, but I just stopped coming by as much… If you want to do giveaways, you should!! If people don’t like it they can skip it.
I think maybe the reason it stands out so much is because you’re a one-post-daily blog. When the bloggers who post 2-3 times a day do a giveaway, it doesn’t stick out as much because you can skip over it and read something else that’s non-giveaway focused. By no means should you quit your job and blog exclusively… just a thought!
I do love your blog. I always love reading. You always crack me up! One thing I do love are the workouts that you would post- just because they are typically a bunch of exercises in one workout, and it makes time fly.
Other than that, I just love all of your pictures…and reading about things you are up to, but not in a creepy kind of way- haha!
Holly recently posted..The REAL Stuff.
It might sound silly but sometimes I just like knowing that someone who I follow is working out or had a yummy breakfast. Or is having fun! I love reading posts about how a run went or that it rained on your sundress and your hair looks funny.
also did you see this tweet from Ke$ha? How does one do that!?!
http://gawker.com/5889736/keha-replaces-her-hair-with-metal-studs
Zoe at A Single Magic recently posted..Monday Pick-Up
you’re obviously not a sell out, but i think this is an awesome post. way to stick it to the man! i love you!
alyssa recently posted..Indecision
This, right here, is why I love your blogged! I’m waiting to get my haircut and literally just laughed out loud at that first gif image in the reception area. Keep on keepin’ on!
You’re hands down one of my favorite bloggers! Keep doing what you do! Your mix of health, fitness, and a comedic take on life is just plain awesome
Amanda recently posted..Bucket List of Sorts
I love you
I love this blog bc you are you, not bc of giveaways. I like your sense of humor. You seem a touch on the crazy side. I am completely on the crazy side, so it is good to have company over here!
I just recently discovered your blog, and I’ve really been enjoying it! I love the pictures/animation from this post! Too funny! I’ve been inspired to start blogging myself…and I’ve been having so much with it already. That’s what it is about right!?!??! Keep up the good work.
exactly!
I just came across your blog today but have already fallen in love with your humorous and down-to-earth writing style and can’t wait to become a regular reader. I’ve been blogging under different names for 5ish years now and I empathize with the criticisms you’ve received. I think your doing the best thing possible by not letting it get to you and just focusing on why you started blogging in the first place!
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } recently posted..Tarts + Crepes
I love, love, love your blog – I definitely have never thought that you are a sell out in any way. I love your blog because it makes me laugh with every single post. LOB is definitely a one of a kind blog, and you should be so sososoos proud of it!
Keep being you! [i know, super corny, but true!]
I love your blog just how it is
your writing is funny and entertaining 
Rachel recently posted..MIMM #3
I really appreciated this post! I admit I was starting to get a little nervous with all the giveaways just because it did not seem like your usual style…I echo others saying you should totally be able to feature and write about whatever you want, but I do love your posts on just daily life, running, etc. because you are always fun and funny and just enjoyable to read about
well, that’s flattering.
thanks, Lauren.
Ai yi, I hope that really is how you took it because I mean it in the best possible way!! I love your blog!! I’m sorry if what I said came off awkward lol You are one of the few bloggers I’d want to be friends with in real life!
Oh, no.. That was a genuine thank you!
I appreciate your kind words. Thanks, lady!
I love your blog and I think you should post what you want, when you want! It doesn’t matter to me, I’ll read your blog no matter what
Heather @Run Eat Play recently posted..It’s Monday!
This is YOUR blog, baby. Don’t ever feel the need to apologize for what you want to do with it.
That said, if we get a vote I say MORE CHLOE!!!!!!
Such a great post. I agree with you. It’s hard sometimes to stand out in the HLB community, because you’re right… sometimes it seems like everyone is writing about the SAME thing. I give you props for addressing this and acknowledging it.
Oo, and I watching the .gif of the Toddlers and Tiaras chick prob 50 times… not kidding.
nicole @ simply nicole recently posted..Weekend recap (7/17- 7/19)
Hey – I’m new to blogging. How do you get those type of images on your site? Very interactive and fun btw! Thanks
Katie@perfectlypoppedkernel.com recently posted..Cuban Mojo Tuna
I love your blog, and I think you are wonderful. However, I also read Get Off My Internets, and this post seems to coincide with what they have been recently saying about you. It seems to be a response to them. I could be totally wrong though.
It’s OK to take a break, sometimes, even from things you love. They will always be there for you when you return.
I’m actually doing my thesis on bloggers and credibility when they work with brands
I definitely think that bloggers should work with brands authentic to them. Be the upside down girl. It’s more fun. It’s your sense of humour and love of life that shines through on this blog!
Geraldine @Go Ger Go! recently posted..WIAW What I Ate Wednesday
girrrrrrrrrrrrrrl you do you! i read review or not – its usually funny – gives me a chuckle – and isnt that what people shoudl care about…
julie recently posted..a book review & two types of girls
All I have to say is that I wish your giveaways involved giving the product to errbody who comments