Back in January I was completely stunned to receive an email from the best and biggest blog publication – the fabulous Blogosphere Magazine. They had picked me to be in their Issue #16 In The Spotlight bloggers!
First off, I was lucky to be picked from over 400 bloggers to be featured in the Top 10 bloggers, but to make things even more crazy exciting – I was picked from those 10 to be featured in the actual magazine. Of course, I was told to keep it all hush hush until the March issue was released… and that was SO HARD.
So, keeping things under wraps, I was interviewed about my blog, my views on the dating world and where Never Settle is heading in the future.
I feel incredibly privileged to be considered alongside such talented, inspirational and amazing fellow bloggers, as well as being featured in issue #16 which has one of my all time favourites, the beautiful, inspiring and down-to-earth Lydia Millen as the cover star.
So here is my interview, for you all to read (if you have not seen already in Blogosphere!)
1. Why did you first decide to write about dating and relationships?
I’ve always had a love of relationship and dating psychology, how men and women work – and how to genuinely get what you want whilst dating, by accepting and loving yourself. Never Settle was born after I came out of a long-term relationship, where I constantly questioned if I was making the right choice: what if I never found anyone again?
All my insecurities would have to be addressed in a new relationship – can I start all over? Once I was single, it was like I became myself again, I felt compelled to write about my new dating experiences, and the lessons I’d learnt from the relationship, and decided then I wanted to create a tool for anyone who wants to make themselves happier, better informed and ultimately more confident in their love lives.
2. How have relationships and dating changed as social media has developed?
The whole dating and relationship world has been tipped upside down. All these new terms have cropped up: from phubbing and ghosting, breadcrumbing and cuffing. Dating has changed with the abundance of apps, modern-day non-relationships and the question of exclusivity.
There is more choice of who you can meet, which is fantastic – but equally, it has seen the rise of ‘the grass is always greener’ attitude. Relationships are constantly facing problems regarding social media: snooping / trust issues / easier to cheat and get caught cheating, ‘are we Facebook official?’. It’s changed dramatically!
3. How do you use social media, and interacting with your followers, to enhance your blog posts?
I love Twitter and Instagram, I think they are fantastic platforms for connecting with your audience and learning more about them. I enjoy using polls and asking questions on both: it gives my readers a way of feeding back to me, as well as giving me blog inspiration!
I’ve also introduced ‘Ask Eve’, my new agony aunt section to the site, which makes it easier for readers to write in with their problems anonymously. It’s a great way of learning the ins and outs of my audience and getting to understand the problems they’re facing.
4. Are there any topics you would not cover on your blog? Why not?
In terms of dating, relationships and lifestyle, I am happy to cover most things – no matter how taboo, however I would be hesitant to cover heavily political topics, a topic I’m not completely knowledgeable about, or something that I don’t agree with – I want the reader to leave the page feeling more confident, or better informed, rather than express a strong opposing opinion.
5. What topics would you like to tackle this year?
I enjoy pushing the latest trends to the forefront of discussion, and tackling controversial subjects head on. I would really love to push more mental health posts, and how to deal with mental health illnesses in relationships, as well as more sexual health topics, such as contraception choices, managing our sexual wellbeing and generally having more fun in the bedroom!
As a newly single woman, I am also really excited to push more dating posts: speed dating trials, dating apps, dating events, all whilst promoting independence and learning to love ourselves.
