As the blog turns 7 this year, I ponder and reflect on the journey of Bangsarbabe.com, the hardships and tribulations faced, and the good fortunes and opportunities that arose from it. It isn’t just a blog; it’s an extension of who I am, how I’ve progressed and matured. With a fulltime job in hand, I’ve been finding it difficult to strike a balance between the blog and work.
2014 has proven to be my most challenging year to date – while I managed to achieve my KPI at the office, I failed to accomplish the same degree of success (benchmark set by my blog manager) for Bangsarbabe.com. My excuse was always career-driven. A pallid attempt to mask my lack of commitment to the one thing that set me apart from my peers and build me as an individual. Yes, the blog has given me so many wonderful opportunities and so much exposure that people my age can’t possibly achieve by slogging away at the office.
It has become so much of me that potential employers seem more interested in the prospects of hiring my alter ego. I was recently offered a position that would have been my dream job and one I aimed to achieve only in the next 2 to 3 years. But it landed on my lap a few months ago through a recommendation and further fuelled by the employer’s interest in Bangsarbabe.com. It was a double promotion from my current position with a team of my own and almost a 100% salary increase. It was difficult to say no to such a wonderful opportunity and in a line I happen to be pretty damn good at.
But I had to give something up – the blog.
Bangsarbabe.com would become a conflict of interest to this new position offered, and I would have no choice but to make some involuntarily changes to the blog. Taking on this role would no doubt launch me to the next level in my career, but at the same time, tremendously alter the course of Bangsarbabe.com and drive it to a quick death in due time. And while I really wanted this role (who wouldn’t want a promotion, and a double one at that?), I loved the blog even more. It took me 2 weeks to come to a decision and I chose to let go of that opportunity because I realised just how much this blog means to me.
Some people think I’m being foolish to forgo that job offer and my logical side would think so too. Heck, the logical me is still smacking myself on the head because I decided to protect a blog that doesn’t generate an income. A blog that requires so much effort, so much dedication and a good amount of money to keep it running. All in the name of passion.
But I still think it’s the best decision I’ve made and moving forward, I’m going to grow the blog further. Take it to greater heights. Challenge myself to do better than I did in the previous years. And with this, Bangsarbabe.com will be sporting a new look. A (due) revamp to celebrate 7 years of food, travel and lifestyle reviews.
To those who have stuck with me during all this years, thank you for your never-ending support. And to those who just started reading Bangsarbabe.com, I promise you a flow of honest reviews, interesting reads and updates of my hectic life.
Stay tuned as I reveal the new look and feel of Bangsarbabe.com! :)
18 comments
Hey babe! Such a heartwarming love story between you and your blog! I applaud you for standing by something that defines who you are. I’m sure you’ll get similar if not better opportunities in the near future :) Keep it up!
Thanks Mei Yee! Fingers crossed I’ll get a similar opportunity in the near future. Otherwise, I still don’t regret my decision. ;)
Hope you’re well!
Fear not, march forward for there is a reason for everything that has happened to you. You are on a journey and for whatever it is , they are all good . Remember, life is always a challenge and through it all you will get enriched with new knowledge, skillsets and wisdom.
Thanks Alfred. Hopefully the challenges will make me stronger and better as a person. :)
Thank you, thank you, thank you . I’ve enjoyed and appreciated all of it….great job , well done !
Thanks for the support Alfred Toh!
Happy blog birthday!
Keep on working hard on the blog and wonderful things will follow.
Thank you rif. Will be counting on your help and guidance to drive the blog to greater heights. :D
Hi Sue Lynn,
I don’t know if you remember me. But I met you at a wedding dinner we both attended once, quite awhile back–our families were seated on the same table, I believe. The card you gave me to check out your food blog was when your site was on Blogspot! I’ve followed you pretty often since then, and I love reading your reviews. I love that you always sound neutral and unbiased; you always sound like you are giving YOUR own personal opinion about the food, not just parroting from the menu/a press release/etc. I’m studying in America now, and I still love reading your reviews and while it’s hard sometimes because it brings back all my Malaysian food cravings, I still enjoy reading them, because in a way, you are giving me a taste and sense of my home, whom I love. Anyway, after reading this, I just wanted to say I am so glad you didn’t choose to give up your blog. I am a fan of your work as I enjoy reading what you post, and I have a good feeling you won’t regret this choice. I wish you all the best in your ambition and life goals and I love the fact you valued your blog over the money you were offered. It says a lot about who you are as a person and volumes about your character. I admire your passion; you are an inspiration to me.
God bless.
Best,
Sarah Yong
Hi Sarah,
I believe I do remember you. :)
Thank you for your years of support. Readers like yourself keeps me motivated and encouraged — feelings money can’t buy. I hope to continue to keep you entertained throughout your days in the States, and back in KL. Take care!
Babe if I read this earlier, I will hug you yesterday at LRT…when I was reading first part of this blog post, I was praying “pls~ this is not a Bye-Bye post” :D
Sweetest article ever ~~
Awwww thank you Lulu! :) :)
hi… I applaud your decision to stick to your passion. It will lead you to wonderful places.
Thank you for the support and encouragement Geok Pin!
Happy 7th Blog-Anniversary! I know what it feels like to choose between passion and career. I’m glad you didn’t choose to sacrifice blogging and sorry you had to let go your dream career. Always remember, one can never work too hard to enjoy what one loves more. So, do what you love to do and you will achieve what you desire more :) HUGS!
Thanks dear! Catch up soon for makan. :)
Just read this post today, lucky this is not a farewell post haha. There are many other blog but I like this one! I like the ‘integrity’ on food blogging and the writing of everything. I can read/feel the passion that you put in here and after many years it’s never change.
Elson Wang
(One of the reader from the blog just started)
Awwww thanks Elson! Am glad to have you as a loyal reader. Thanks for sticking with me throughout the years. :)