Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitley Gillin.
Whitley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2014, I was a fresh college graduate trying to figure life out. I suffered from PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety after being taken advantage of sexually and operating under long term high levels of stress in college. I felt no one knew what I was feeling or could understand my constant battle with mental instability. In 2015, I decided to start a blog called Lover’s Block. I was so emotionally drained from all the pain I’d still carried around from the past; I just needed an outlet. Through writing, I was able to release all my anger and frustration from failed relationships and heartaches. I quickly realized that there were many people experiencing the same sense of loneliness. The feedback I received was so uplifting. I knew I’d finally found my passion and purpose.
For two years, I put blogging on hold as I completed a Master’s degree. In October 2018, I renamed my IG page @WithLove_Sade and created a new website. At the moment, I’m still working out some kinks and finding a productive routine.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Blogging is definitely not as easy as many believe it to be. It takes consistency and hard work. It is also very time-consuming. Consistency is definitely a big struggle for me. I work 12-hour shifts so many times, I just want to roll over and go to sleep. It’s easy to neglect my site and my IG page. Also, it can be a little discouraging when your following isn’t growing as fast as you’d like. Sometimes, I find myself getting upset with the process thinking “I just want to reach more people!”. I also struggle with content. I have so many ideas and so many things I want to share, but I remind myself I need to keep it simple.
Please tell us about With Love, Sade.
Lifestyle blogging is very dear to me. I know there are many people who blog for money or fame, but I truly love the thought of sharing a “moment” with someone. The “moment” I’m referring to is that time in space where one experiences an awakening. A “moment” is when you hear that song that just makes you feel like you’re not alone in a particular situation, or you read a post from that blogger that you can relate to. I live to help others. I work in health care and education; I am also a mentor for Pretty Ambition Sister Circle. I view my blog as an extension of my work. My goal is to reach as many people as possible. To give people the light I didn’t have in my dark times. To share daily struggles and needs with the world. To be that person that someone looks at and says “she gets me!”
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
BE MORE CONSISTENT and put my ideas into action. If I could start over, I would most definitely put my creativity and dreams before anything else. I spent so much time of the past 3-4 years focused on my career. As a result, I neglected my true calling.
Contact Info:
- Website: Withlovesade.com
- Email: withlovesade.blog@gmail.com
- Instagram: Withlove_Sade
Image Credit:
G.Vznz
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