Let me start off by saying that you are worth more than your Instagram following. I’m not sure when the whole blogger hierarchy way of life took over, but these days, it’s rare to see bloggers of different “classes” come together. Bloggers tend to stick within their own social classes, which are based purely on numbers. I’m not saying there aren’t any exceptions to this, but when was the last time you saw someone with 10k Instagram followers in a girl gang whose members all have 100k+? Exactly. I can even admit that I get more excited when someone with a greater following reaches out to me for coffee, because I’m hoping she can teach me a thing or two about the Instagram game. That being said, I NEVER think I’m better than those with fewer followers than I have, but some bloggers definitely act like they do.

The only way to combat this catty blogger lifestyle is to stop seeing others as their Instagram following, including yourself! If you identify yourself as 5k, you will probably be intimidated to talk to someone with 50k. You may come across as shy or obsessive, which could very well be the reason bigger bloggers give you the cold shoulder in the first place! As long as you value yourself based on the number of followers you have, you will never be able to step out of this idea that you should only be friends with bloggers on “your level.” Bloggers are just people who decided to turn their passions into businesses and I bet if the “little ones” started talking to the “big ones” as their peers and not superiors, the hierarchy may just start to shift. The bigger bloggers may also need to reevaluate how they treat smaller bloggers, but the solution has to start somewhere…

We’re all working hard in this industry. Some people get lucky and grow quickly and others struggle with building their brands, but at the end of the day, we’re all passionate about what we do. That passion is what connects all of us bloggers. So the next time you’re scared to talk to your favorite blogger who has 100,000 more followers than you do, remember you’re both working hard towards similar goals and the numbers don’t define who you are. Learn how to connect on a personal level and as one of my favorite quotes dictates, “Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle.”

*Thank you Tobi.com for collaborating on this post. 

OUTFIT BREAKDOWN:
Black Strapless Joslyn Culotte Jumpsuit: Tobi (c/o)
Cream Cardigan: Zara
Black West 57th Schoolbag: Henri Bendel (c/o)
Black Ankle Boots: Ivanka Trump (c/o)

Photography: Kevin Tun

xx Esther