Personal | More Blogging Opportunities, North or South?

Beauty blogger Zoe Newlove writes a personal post asking the question on where is best to be for blogging: north or south?

To you guys, this may seem like a really random topic, and it probably is, but it is something that I have been considering for months on end now and it is causing havoc on my mind. For those of you who are not a blogger, this ramble will have no relevance to you whatsoever. Do you believe there to be more blogging opportunities, in the north or south of the UK?

I am a northern lass at heart, and for the last 18 months, I have been living down south, in the lovely town of Reigate. I love it here and feel really settled. It is close enough to London, so that I can pop in on a weekly basis, but also still  away from the hectic city lifestyle that I only like to dip my toes into every now and then. I highly doubt I could live in the city full time. All the hustle and bustle of city life is great and all, but I like my own space, and fresh air to breathe into my lungs. 
I am at an age where I have to consider my future. At 26 years old, I find myself panicking that life is flying by and in no time at all I will be 96, in a old folks home regretting my life choices. Gosh, I am being so depressing right now. 
On a much more positive note, the age I am at now, for me: It revolves around my career. I have a fantastic job and I absolutely thrive off my blog, which is pretty much a part time job at the moment too. I am so very lucky and so very grateful to be in the position that I am. Always wanting to push myself further,  this is where I get to thinking, what is next for me? Where will my blog take me? Do I need to be in London to take things to the next level? What even is the next level?
Or do I move back up north ? The cost of living is cheaper and if I want to buy a house, it definitely seems like the more sensible option. Gosh, I am such an adult already.
With a diary packed full of back to back events and meetings all revolving around my current job and my beauty blog, it scares me to even consider moving back up north. I am too frightened of missing out on anything and see everything as a networking opportunity. Nevertheless, I have been thinking about heading back up to my northern roots more often than not. Hell, I have even been looking into property abroad. A sign that I am definitely unsettled right now?
Even though I feel like my blog and my job are my priorities at the moment, a part of me can’t help but feel that my life should not revolve around these. It feels like the safe option. I used to be such a risk taker and would move here, there and everywhere, and even though to others that does not seem sensible, I had the best time. I am not sure what has happened to that person.

So I ask, northern bloggers, do you feel the pressure to move down south or are you doing just fine and dandy? Do we as bloggers all feel a certain kind of pressure to be in a certain place? Or can we make it work where we want to, no matter the postcode? 

There is so much more I want to do and I just kind of feel lost at the moment as to where I should be, or go to next? Do you ever feel this way? Do you ever worry that you are going in the right direction? Or heading full steam along the entirely wrong path?
I have no idea why I thought to write all of this down, or to even consider sharing it here on my blog, but if you have anything, advice or thoughts to share on this, then I would love to hear from you. 
Tweet me @zonewlove.

23 Comments

  • Karina Richmond Pics

    Not a blogger but someone who has had the same back and forth Manchester/London/Sheffield/London kind of connundrums… my short answer would be… if you’ve really established yourself and your business, and are prepared to travel back down if you need to, moving north is not a problem. I still work in London and the rest of the UK as well qas here in Sheffield, but my lifestyle (and sense of belonging) improved IMMEDIATELY once I left the Smoke. We bought a house, my fella set up his businees, I have a spangly new studio… all of those things weren’t happening down south. And also, at 26… you can always move back down if it didn’t work out….

    • Zoe Newlove

      Thanks Karina, this really helped 🙂 Like, really helped 😀 xxx

  • Hayley Walker

    I definitely feel the pressure to move south, I only ever get invites to London events, and saying no all the time puts PRs off ever working with you. I am trying to get to London for a few days every 3 months or so now, but then I have to use my annual leave for these trips – again putting my ‘real life’ on the line.

    On the flip side I could never afford to move south; I bought my house at the age of 24 up in Leeds, which I could never do down south.

    Hayley @ Tea Party Beauty

    • Zoe Newlove

      Thanks Hayley !! If I were to move back up north, I would work for myself again – so a lot to think about. I really want to get onto the property ladder, as does my boyfriend who is already in the north. Lots of decisions to make. xxx

  • I live down south (kinda near you actually!) and I feel like moving north would be so so much cheaper but the south is where I’ve always lived and I love how close it is to London/Brighton. I don’t often go to London anyway but I like having the option! I see a lot of blogger events going on in Manchester/Leeds and feel like I’m missing out up there but I guess it’s the same for everyone xx

    http://www.ohhellomango.co.uk

    • Zoe Newlove

      Yeah that is true, I have been to a couple of northern events too. I really wish I could make my mind up 🙂 xx

  • Ashleigh Roy

    Ah Zoe, I’m so glad I am not the only one feeling like this right now! I definitely feel like I should be living further down south or in London to be exact if I want to have a better career. Around one year ago, I moved from Scotland to the North East with my boyfriend for his work commitments, I love the idea of moving and seeing new places so I was happy to move. One year later I feel pretty unsettled in terms of my career and where I want to live as a lot of the jobs I would love as a career are mostly down south and thats where I feel the opportunities are. Im so confused right now and feel like I should know where I want to be in a few years and be settled. Its a tough one xx

    • Zoe Newlove

      Ashleigh, I swear I have been feeling like this for far too long. Driving me crazy man. My boyfriend lives up north and I just want to be nearer to him – just a lot going on down here. Head is all over the place xx

  • Jessica Nelson

    I spent three years up North and the last year in Cambridge. It’s close enough to get to London so I do get invites, but not a huge amount. Honestly the best events I’ve been to have been up North! Leeds always has something going on and yes, they may not be huge launches or press days, but they seem to be much more creative, friendly and exciting.

    On the flip side, this is the view of a ‘smaller’ blogger so I was interested to read Hayley’s comment below as I know she gets lots of London invites, despite being based in Leeds. It definitely becomes a lot harder to balance your job and your blog when you have to take so much time off work simply to travel to events

    http://www.jessicainyourear.com

    • Zoe Newlove

      Thanks Jessica, glad to hear that the northern events are your favourite. I didn’t realise Hayley lived in Leeds either until she commented 🙂 xx

  • I definitely think there is way more opportunities down South than up North. I’m only 18, but I feel like if I want my blog to really go somewhere then one day I’ll have to move down south!

    Jodie, xo // Jodie Loue

    • Zoe Newlove

      Ah you are still a baby 😀 You have loads of time 😀 xx

  • Jenna Johnston

    I imagine it’s the same with most things, opportunities can be found down south because people believe that’s where they are. Up north you have more of a chance to carve your own opportunities. I imagine it’s easier to walk your own path up north than follow in others’ southern footsteps.

    • Zoe Newlove

      JENNA. Ah, seriously LOVE this comment. I could SQUEEZE you xx

      • Jenna Johnston

        Ahaha very glad it hit a note! You just need to be somewhere you’re happy & the opportunities will present themselves!

      • Jenna Johnston

        Though I may be biased as a big fan of de-centralisation!

  • I think its such shame there is less opportunities up north. And I can imagine how much of a pain it must be for those, as often even me coming from Brighton can be too far from some events!

    Annabel ♥
    Mascara & Maltesers

  • Emily Knott

    There is defiantly less opportunities up north. Near enough of the events I get invited to are London based. it’s a real shame really, but you need to do what is best for you. Emily xx

    http://www.britishbeautyaddict.com

    • Zoe Newlove

      Figuring out what is best for me is the real problem 😉 xx

  • I’m not sure I believe bloggers based in the north get fewer opportunities but rather, events mostly take place in London so they “miss out” by not being able to attend.

  • Heather Mcknight

    For yourself and a “secure” future in regards to property and settling down, North is probably the favoured option. As you mentioned in the post, estate is a lot cheaper up here and you’re definitely going to get more bang for your buck. For your blog and career, London will always be the best suited to the lifestyle. I’ve been blogging for just under two years now and within that time I’ve been invited to 4 events up north, and yet I’ve had countless invitations in London. The events also differ hugely. I feel as though unfortunately the majority of events up North are quite lazy, whether that be to do with the bloggers attending or funding, I’m not sure. They’re also generally a lot smaller brands and publicity.

    To pursue your blog further my advice is stay as close to London as possible. It costs a ridiculous amount of money to travel to London especially on short notice (it cost £160 for me to travel to London for the UD event). The lifestyle has so much more to offer. To settle down and really think about your future, up North has everything to offer and more. In regards to your career as a MUA, that can be done anyway and in fact will probably be more beneficial up north as London area is surely going to be oversaturated with talented MUAs who have massive connections.

    I feel as though I’ve stated the obvious with this comment but I hope it was helpful regardless and whatever decision you make will be the right one. Everything happens for a reason and I’m sure you’ll figure it all out!

    Heather, Porcelain Beauty xx

  • I definitely think London is where it’s at for blogging although Northern events are becoming more popular and I think brands are finally realising that we are up here and we are of use haha… I’m nearly 25 and I’m panicking a bit about my future, i’m considering the practicality of doing a 12 month international programme at Disney in Florida but when you’re married with a full time job is that even a rational thing to consider?! haha

    Like you, I’m worrying that life is flying by and I’ll get to 60 odd and regret all the things i didn’t do at the age i’m at now

    Jade x
    Girl Up North | UK Lifestyle Blog