My Role (If I Have One?)

Over the course of the last week, I have received some very thoughtful and kind requests from some readers of this blog. They have asked me to use my platform to speak about certain topics of the day related to politics and world affairs. So I'd like to take a moment to address this, because I feel that it's important to address.

From day one, I had a vision for my blog. It was to be a welcomed diversion from "real life" for myself and others. Some of you may not know this, but my blog was actually born of a very difficult time for me, when I was laid off from a job I held for over 10 years due to the economic downturn in the mid 2000s. This blog was a reaction to the feelings I had at that time. Sort of a, "Well, my career and everything I worked toward for my entire life is gone. What now? Hey! Why don't I focus on my inner passion for a while? Beauty products it is!"

Since 2009, we as both a nation, and world, have gone through so much, and we've seen so much. Through it all, I have tried my best to remain a welcomed diversion from "real life", even when it was incredibly challenging for me to remain on-topic. Is it more challenging for me today? Yes. It is more challenging for me every single day. Some mornings I wake up, read the news, and think, "How in the hell can I talk about shampoo right now?" The division we all see in this country, in 2017, can be felt on a micro level, right down to something as simple as reading the comments on a YouTube video. We ALL see the insults and attacks from both sides everywhere we look these days. Everywhere.

So what do I do? Do I use my platform to talk about things that truly matter in our everyday lives? Yeah, I've thought about it, about a million times. But then I also think about the fact that it would be very awkward to blog about something as deeply significant as say, human rights, and then in the very next blog post say, "Hey, check out this new lipstick!" Does that mean that it can't be done? No, it absolutely can, but I also need to respect and consider WHY you come to my blog every day.

Based on the feedback that I've received from so many of you over the years, I find that you too, use my blog as diversion from "real life". I have received many emails over the course of my blogging career that go something like this:

G, I just want to let you know that I appreciate your blog. My mother's in the hospital right now and I read your blog during those long hours by her bedside when she's sleeping. This blog takes me out of my troubles for a while, and I want to thank you for that.

I have heard from many amazing men and women over the years who have taken the time to reach out to me and let me know that when I blog about a silly little thing like facial cleanser, I provide them with a much-needed, momentary escape from the realities of everyday life. And you know what? It is a much-needed escape for me too. Which is probably why I have continued to blog here, almost every single of day of my life, since 2009.

I dislike the term "Know your lane" because I feel that it implies that you need to stick to one thing in life. I think broadening your perspectives and trying new things is fundamental to a well-lived life. So I'm not going to "know my lane" here. But I AM going to "know my audience" and YOU have told me, time and time again, that you come here as an escape. So it is with your precious feedback that I tell you that I am going to continue to blog about lipstick and moisturizer and all of those silly things. As much as I sometimes want to shout from the rooftops about the events of the day, I am respecting your wishes and the very reason you come to this blog in the first place. To do anything else would be a disservice to the men and women whom, for years now, have used my blog as a distraction from real life issues.

You're free to call me a cop-out in the comments below. I'm ready for it. But please keep in mind what I've written here before you leave a comment like that. I do not in any way feel that I'm copping out. I am sticking to what you have told me that you love about this blog, time and time again, over the years. If one day, all of you say, "You know what G? I would much rather hear about politics on this blog", then I may change my mind. But for now, I am honoring YOUR wishes and sentiments.

Your silly little distraction from everyday life forever and always,
G.

PS: the one thing I WILL say about world events right now is this: vote with your dollar. Support the brands, beauty and otherwise, you think are doing the right thing (whatever that "right thing" is to YOU). And consider taking some money out of your beauty budget each month to support the causes that YOU think are important. It's not my place to tell you which causes I think are deserving of your contributions, but they're out there and it's as simple as a two-second Google search to find them.

PPS: I hate that I have to say this, but I will not be approving any hurtful or divisive comments on this post. That's not what this post is about. Sorry, but we see enough of that elsewhere these days and I just cannot see it here on my own blog, which I deeply value as my "happy place". Thanks for understanding.