As I am about to write this post featuring my current favorite casual look, wearing a striped button down shirt from Boohoo.com, paired with thrifted cropped denim, stacked heels, and my go to Miu Miu sunglasses, my heart is full and I am warmed by all the comments I received from my last blog post. It was a very scary post for me to write. I shared a lot of the personal struggles from my past and how I am trying to deal with them currently. For the first time I have admitted publicly to being abused and how it’ll be a lifelong healing process. Another topic that has been heavy on my mind and heart lately, has been the social media way of thought, “you are only as valuable as your numbers.” This is such a bullshit idea. Again, obviously for business reasons, numbers do matter. It’s business. Numbers however do not tell you everything. People need to realize the potential of someone and the person behind the numbers. Are those numbers real? Do those numbers translate to loyal readers and viewers? Who is watching? Luckily, I haven’t had to deal with too much of this on the business side. What I have dealt with since day 1 has been the exclusion based on followers from other influencers.
There are obvious social rules when approaching someone online. I do get tons of request for “my secrets” (I don’t have any, just hard work, if you have some, please share) and contacts. Those who have reached out and know me, know that I try to help whenever possible. Unfortunately, for privacy reasons, I cannot give out contacts, I also don’t feel comfortable when someone just pops up out of the blue requesting contacts from me. I’m also more open to those I feel I have gotten to know through time. Let’s face it, we are meeting online. I do always check out a channel, when genuinely asked (not a spam copy and paste “check out my channel”), but a real reach out. I try to respond to every comment possible, it’s getting harder, which saddens me. When it comes to e-mails, I always try to respond as well, but again things are starting to slip through. The other day I was meeting my friend from high-school and we were talking about how we had been texting, but didn’t actually send the text. I keep thinking I responded to people, but never actually did. I’m not sure what’s going on with my brain anymore. I think I need a vacation, which I will hopefully have in JUNE!
Anyways, to keep this somewhat short, I hope that by putting it out there, we are all more aware of how we look at people in social media. I follow and comment on accounts because I am drawn to them and I see the potential. I will never not be your friend or not help if I can because you don’t have “then numbers”. I want to help as many people that I can because I would not be here today, if not for the generosity of those who came before me and offered their advice or help. I want to build a community and I want to start a Facebook Group of bloggers and influences. This should be an inclusive community. Now with that being said, I am awful with Facebook and have no idea where to begin. I am hoping you can offer some insight if you know how to start and run a Facebook Group.
Part of growing up and maturing, is knowing your faults and limitations. The reason this topic is on my mind, is due to how I’ve been letting others affect my thoughts. I’m a strong person, but if you are surrounded by something enough, you will notice a change. It will effect you. The value of social media followings that people were putting on others constantly, was starting to affect how I looked at people and how I felt about myself. The truth is, there will always be someone with more followers, likes, money, fame, opportunities. Someone will always have better photos. Better videos. It’s about how you treat others and how you treat yourself that is important. At the end, none of this will matter. Health, family, love, that’s all that is left at the end of this life.
This outfit is my powers outfit. I’m most comfortable in denim. Comfort above fashion, always, and I’m always a little disheveled. I like how the stipe button down shirt elongates me. The shirt also is comfortable, but put together and a little mussed up. I am not perfect. I do not want to be perfect. Perfect is boring, but I do want to be the best version of myself. I don’t want to judge others. I want to raise up others. I want to inspire and motivate, but most importantly I want to build a welcoming, safe community. Do I want to grow numerically? Well, hell yes! Because as we all know numbers will open up opportunities. I have so much I want to do here and on my channel, but I need help. I need time to learn, to create more. I’d love to be able to support us financially, so that hubs can focus on building this blog, my channel, and managing the business side of things. So yes, growth is a priority, but it will not come before this community we have already built.
I truly thank you for all the support you have show me and what I am trying to do.
xoxo
Serein
Jeans – Thrifted
Shoes use “Serein15” for 15% off
Yessss I am loving this look! I actually love very simple outfits for the most part so this is great! One of my favorite basic item is a button down shirt and I love wearing them all year round. I like that yours is stripped to give your look some pattern. I also love those distressed jeans with the frayed hems. I have cut quite a few of my jeans just to achieve this look (and because the pant legs are too long). Plus those shoes are killer! I am sure they are super comfortable with the block heel. You look fantastic!
http://www.musebymalu.com
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aw thank you!
Wow girl!!! Just WOW!! This is the first post of yours I’ve read, and I can already tell I’m going to love your page. Thank you for being so open and honest. We need more REAL woman in this community. Women who are not scared to be themselves. Genuine women who support each other and know it’s not a battle of whose better. Your post really touched me. Thank you for being so open. I look forward to reading more from you. Oh I love the outfit as well. It looks beautiful on you! Have a wonderful night beautiful!
Xoxo, Alethea http://Www.thepowerofthepretty.blogspot.com
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment! I really appreciate it and am so happy you liked the post.
Beautiful outfit! I love the shoes x
Louise | helloteddy.co.uk
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Thank you xoxo
i love this outfit! its so cute!
http://www.carolinapinglo.com/
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Thank you!
This shirt is so beautiful. Stipes are a spring summer trend.
http://www.thesprintsisters.com
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Thank you!
Love the shirt and those shoes!!!
Jill
Jill D Blog
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Thank you!
Love button down shirts! Love your photos@
xx
Xin
http://xincerely.blogspot.com
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Thank you so much
I am a new reader of your blog and I think your words are right 🙂
Well, the button down striped shirt is cool ♥
http://www.arindaaps.blogspot.co.id
Author
Thanks for stopping by!
Serein, you’re fast becoming one of my favourite person in the online world and I’m not saying that just to do some ‘ass kissing’, you read my blog and know my style, you know I don’t do that but you’re as real as one can get in the online world where there are more fakes than real life. I love the way you think, I love how open you are about your thoughts and the best thing, you come across really genuine and I admire that.
I don’t understand how and why someone could reach out to you asking for your contact, that is a touch rude imo. And yes, if I was in your shoe, I wouldn’t have given out the contact too as it’s not right to do so. And I would probably face a backlash for simply handing out other’s info but seriously it’s just common sense and manners but then again, common sense is not as common anymore these days.
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Author
Hi Shireen-
Thank you so much for the continued support and for taking the time to truly read and comment. I always try to be honest and true to my feelings and it can be very scary to put it all out there, but I feel it’s what’s missing sometimes. It’s also why I love your blog as well. With all that is happening in the influencer world, I feel we are loosing touch of what made this community so special. Us, being us! Brands and people are drawn to honesty and real people, I don’t want to be anything less than that, if that makes sense.
LOVE!
xoxo
Serein
So stylish! love your look! pretty cool!
http://chicglamstyle.com
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Thank you Rachel!
You’re definitely rocking that button down shirt! It is such a great casual look. I love these kinds of shirts especially in white. Loving those shoes, they look so comfortable. Thank you again for sharing your latest blog post, I can only imagine it was a scary post for you to write. Continue to be strong Serein. Have a lovely weekend Hun! xo
http://facetocurls.com/
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Thank you so much! I do love a comfy button down shirt, so easy to wear and the shoes are comfy 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Love this look on you!! Classic yet current! As far as social media, I will say there are definitely people who have numbers/stats that I wonder “how in the world did they get there?”… but I can tell that you got where you are with hard work, which make me respect your accomplishments that much more 🙂
Kisses,
Sarah
EverydayStarlet
Author
Aw thank you Sarah! Yeah, I’ve had those thoughts too, but gotta just focus on our work and our content.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I really like this look, specially your striped shirt perfect on jeans
You have a interesting blog
I hope you will like mine
xoxo
http://www.welovefur.com
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Thanks for visiting! Will check out your blog soon, thanks for sharing.
Yes I do follow your snapchat and I was so excited when you mentioned me! I’m so glad it made you happy!
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I’m so happy you follow me on snap! It was so nice of you to come up and say those things to me at the mall. Hope you have a great weekend!
you’re rockin the button down shirt! obsessed with your heels<3
http://www.rebelrebel.co x
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Thank you xoxo
I’m a new reader and subscriber and just introduced myself to you at Topanga. Thank you for being so gracious and as lovely in person! Your words are inspiring.