Ok, that was a little click bait-y because I’m not really leaving…yet. Last night I was googling swatches of Floam (remember when Nail-Venturous came out with it and it was IMPOSSIBLE to get?) and when I clicked on a picture from The PolishAholic, I got this:
Yep, her blog is gone. That made me feel…sad. Is this a temporary thing or is it just gone forever? Some bloggers, like Scrangie, have moved on from nail blogging but they maintain their blog. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I still go back to Scrangie’s blog from a deep sense of nostalgia. Times were simpler, back then. Every time a new scandal hits the nail community, it makes me want to throw in the hat and move on because who needs all that toxicity? I usually stay out of it, but I feel like it taints my excitement for nail polish blogging/swatching.
This month will be my 7th year anniversary of creating this blog. I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for 7 years! In the last couple of years, I know I have not been as active as I once was and I feel like I lost a lot of my readers. It always makes me happy to see comments from familiar names or to see you over on my Instagram, but blogging is not what it used to be. When I first started Of Life and Lacquer, I was at an emotional low point in my life and it seemed like this blog was more about MY LIFE with some polish sprinkled in. I connected with so many of you and it makes my heart happy to think that I made some really great friends. I know some people were turned off by my posts during that time because it seemed that I was always complaining, but I think a lot of people identified with the rawness of my feelings. I’ve always been an oversharer when I write so I definitely poured my soul into this blog when I was at my lowest. We all have our ups and downs. Hobbies change. Priorities change. Life changes. I’ve been working at a place I love for about 5 years now, with colleagues I love and it’s amazing what having a nice job can do for your mental health. No place is perfect, but I like what I do and the people I work with. I still deal with anxiety and depression, but I don’t allow it to take over my life. I feel good mentally! I love the sound of that. I still have to work on the physical part (weight!), but I know I can do it!!
So that brings me to my dilemma? Where does blogging fit in? I’ve never done it for money because God knows I spend an ungodly amount of money on this blog which includes hosting, nail polish, acetone, cotton, brain cells from sniffing old pre 3-free formulas… I don’t want to just stop blogging one day and never look back. I’ve been tempted to stop blogging, but I know that I will miss it terribly. So I ask you: what would you like to see from my blog, if anything? I’ve been thinking about doing live swatching and starting a youtube channel, but I can already see spending waaaaaaaaaay too much time on that. I just don’t know! I guess I have the whole month of December to think about it and maybe I’ll start a new chapter in January. Whatever I decide to do, I want to let you all know how much your readership and support has meant to me all these years.
Lastly, that brings me to the topic of what to do with all the nail polish I have. I don’t have unlimited space and I’m running our of space–rather, I ran out of space. I just can’t keep all the polish that I have because I have no room for it anymore. Having to get rid of nail polish breaks my heart because I’m a collector at heart, but it’s something that I have to do for my sanity. I’ve done a lot of destashes over the years and I am gearing up for the biggest one of all. Just because I am getting rid of a polish, it does not mean that it’s not a great polish…I just can’t keep everything anymore. Feel free to peruse my blog sale in case you see something you like. I would much rather have these go to someone who will use them instead of them gathering dust in my melmers. I will be adding more polishes weekly as I go through my melmers so check back periodically if you’re interested.
Well, that’s all I have for you today. I hope this Monday finds you well. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I will talk to you soon!
I feel like you are my internet friend like a pen pal without the pens lol. I too have had my changes in my life within the last five years and I held onto your blog and funnies for my sanity. Please continue doing what you do and i would LOVE and subscribe to your YouTube channel of you decide to create one.
Dude. I hear you about the blogging, it really isn’t what it used to be. I think so many of us just move on with the priorities in our lives. I still take pics of every mani I have on but swatching and editing and typing up details, I don’t have much time or mental energy any more! I love your blog and although I don’t leave comments as often as I used to, I still read it. I definitely prefer blogging over micro-platforms. Whatever you decide, know you’ve made an impact on my life. ❤
I know how you feel. I followed The PolishAholic for years, and was sad when she stopped blogging, but sometimes I would check one or another of her old polishes/posts, for old times’ sake… Now it’s over. Gone. 🙁
I feel the same way. I often go back and visit older blogs so it’s great when they leave them open. I remember Scrangie too. It’s a different world these days than it was when I first discovered polish bloggers and You Tubers. I miss so many of the older ones and there is not much new content coming out. You Tube is great and all, but it’s not the same as reading a blog or seeing some great pics and those macro shots. I am thankful for your blog while you are still doing it. I know nothing lasts forever, but it’s still great to see you still actively blogging and those lovely pics you do … makes me want to buy all the polish!
I don’t think I ever comment but I’ve followed you for a few years; I love your watching and your writing. I miss the old days too and so many of the original bloggers are gone. It just seems that money and competition got in the way and it sucks. As long as you’re here I’ll be reading!
I don’t want you to go- at all. I have learned a lot from reading your blog, and you have carried me through a really terrible time. Your nails are so pretty, and I love when you talk about your nephew. I have purchased from your blog before, and you and I have similar backgrounds. I hope you remember me .
Every time another blog falls off the radar, I feel so sad, and wonder what the person is doing now, and if they are happy. Even if you decide to write less often, please don’t stop.
I dont blog, but I’m still lurking! I miss the comraderie! I’m decontructing my “nail desk” to make room for kid #3’s grand entrance. I made a big basket of polishes I don’t need any more and I plan to give them away. The rest will go in boxes in my nightstand or something and will rarely see the light of day. *wiping a tear
I got super sad when I saw the title of your post. Then got sad when I saw PolishAholic is gone. I know it would be extremely selfish to say ‘please don’t go’ but I really enjoy your blog (yes the non nail stuff too). I too love blogs over microblogging even though I do like IG a lot. I always end up at the posts though.
I have also played with the idea of stopping or at least toning down the frequency of posts. The reality for me is that I have always done it because I love it. I am afraid that once I stop I will miss it too much and then feel silly for making the comeback or maybe just stop because what is the point if it isn’t for the blog. (I know the point is I love it but you know what I mean right)
Whatever you decide, I’ve loved you and I will miss you. And it will be awesome if I can come back and look at your swatches down the line.
All the best
xx
Michelle recently posted..Secret Santa 2018 + Santa goes tropical nail art
Oh man that hits me in the feels. I miss The PolishAholic, Scrangie, Kellie Gonzo. I quite enjoyed your posts about work and where you were mentally. Whatever you do, let us know so we can watch and evolve with you.
Thank you, Tanya! You’ve always been so sweet and fun to talk to here and there about polish. I love seeing your swatches over on IG so much and hope to continue to see them. 🙂
First off, panicked when I read the title because you are one of the first nail blogs I found in 2011 when I got hardcore into nails. Then a little piece of me still died to see The PolishAholic gone because she was also one of my personal OGs. Sad face.
I think you would be hilarious on youtube! But it does seem like an awful lot of work (and will cut in on your auntie time). I do follow your instagram as that is my other preferred social media.
Regardless, I love what you do and I’ll follow you here, there, anywhere! Just keep it fun and meaningful to you because that’s why I stop by, and really isn’t that the whole point? ?
<3 You are totally right. I love doing this still but it's so easy to get caught up in how ugly the community can get. I've always pretty much stayed out of everything that goes on, but it's hard not to feel down about it. Now, when I think strictly about the love of polish and swatching, I'm all there. I don't think I'll give up blogging just yet; I just have to find a way to make it fun again and not feel pressured. Thanks for your comments and encouragement.
I love your blog – whenever you feel like posting – you have the BEST swatches!! And I love your personality – honest, straightforward and funny. I look forward to seeing whatever content YOU choose to put out, whenever you choose to. Thank you for all of the effort you have shared with us!!