Being a relatively new blogger, I’ve found myself struggling to find my voice these last couple of weeks. I’ve been reading articles about how I should hone in on my niche and pick a specific topic to write about consistently. I was getting so frustrated because I’m not ready to pick just one topic; I want to write about a bunch of topics! I’m passionate about fashion and reading and beauty and my cats and I want to write about it all. Maybe as time goes on, I’ll niche down a bit, but for right now I’m self-classified as a lifestyle blogger and that’s okay. But, it got me thinking: What’s the point of lifestyle blogs when there are other blogs that specifically focus on food, or music or health? Why do so many pick on lifestyle bloggers? Why is being a lifestyle blogger given a negative connotation? Why do lifestyle blogs matter? Here is what I came up with:

Lifestyle blogs offer a sense of community and friendship. I have made so many friends since starting blogging and through writing about a variety of experiences on my blog, I have been able to connect with many on different levels. I connect with some friends over my pup and others over favorite make-up products.

Some of my favorite lifestyle blogs have introduced me to apps I would have never known about for my phone or subscription services I have never heard about. Lifestyle blogs also help us answer questions like “Is stitch fix worth my money?” or “What is Chia seed pudding and should I make it?” or “What should I do for my dad for his 60th birthday?”

Bloggers often offer promotions that give us opportunities to try things we would have never initially known about or were afraid to try. Lifestyle blogs offer fun/free promotions or giveaways. I would have never tried Rocksbox if Courtney hadn’t offered her readers a promo code for a free month trial. I’m now TOTALLY in love with it!

Reading other lifestyle blogs allow me to relate experiences and understand what it means to be human and cope with trials. I have been lifted up by my community during hard times and have never been made to feel ashamed or embarrassed for sharing my story.

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I am a much better student because of the inspiration I get from reading other lifestyle blogs. I have found study tips to try, new ways to meal plan and budget. I am inspired to read more because of book reviews on blogs like Hello Rigby. I am inspired to take more time to take care of myself by reading other’s beauty routines, or workout habits. I am motivated to be brave and try new things that I might have shied away from before because my favorite bloggers inspired me to do it.

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I share my goals with my blogging community and with the public and regardless if anyone cares about what they are, I feel accountable to achieve them. I’m not saying that a lifestyle blog has to be a personal diary exactly, but when someone shares what is working or not working for them and how they achieve their goals, I become motivated to try their tips and achieve mine. I have actually worked harder to achieve goals in all aspects of my life (not just one niche area) since becoming a lifestyle blogger.

Reading other blogs helps me find compassion and empathy. Lifestyle blogs allow me to broaden my horizons and open my mind to others’ beliefs and views. Whether it is a different religious point of view, or a fitness plan or a new way to do hair, I am exposed to so many new things and love learning them.

I’m not picking on any blogger who has a super specific niche, like food or travel blogs. You guys are great! But, I think that lifestyle blogs are often looked down upon because others think that we can’t focus on one topic or aren’t talented enough to blog about just food or art. Lifestyle blogs matter to me and I am so grateful to have this corner of the internet to share on a variety of topics that I love! I am constantly inspired and motivated by those in my blogging community and, at the end of the day, I feel that lifestyle blogs have made me a better person.