Decisions and Changes

Who am I? What do I represent? Why am I here? These are just a few of the questions I’ve had to ask myself over the past few days.

Going through a re-design isn’t as easy as I’d hoped it would be. Yes, I do this all the time for other people, but when it comes down to me, I get nervous.

For a couple of months I’ve been wanting to ditch this image heavy, slow loading WordPress theme. I’ve been craving the wide open spaces of something lightweight and modern. Minimalistic is my style and this theme just isn’t doing it for me. After months of searching for the perfect theme, I came across one I’m in love with.

Problem#1.  It’s used by another blogger I like very much.
Problem #2. The default colors are blue and gray, which may seem perfect at first, considering how much I’m drawn to them. But, take into consideration that most people using the theme will be using the default color, and the blogging pal I like is also using the blue/gray option, I decided I need to be different.

That brings me to the graphics.

After about five years of blogging without any real logo or branding to call my own, I’ve decided it’s time for me to take the plunge and go for something unique. I brainstormed for about 3 months… nothing. Then one day it came to me. I wanted a silhouette, and I wanted her to be holding a megaphone that read EricaSays. I looked online for a stock image and actually found one! However, it didn’t look much like me. I found a gal who said she could re-work it, but before she even got started I changed my mind. If I was going to do this, I was going to do it right… the first time.

I found another work-at-home mom on Etsy who makes custom silhouettes and could send me a digital copy. We corresponded a few times and I sent her a photo. She sent back a perfect silhouette of yours truly. Even my two year old recognized me! Time to get started on the header…

A couple mock-ups later and I was ready to show it to some blogging pals I respect. I was looking for critique, and boy did I get it! And, a whole lot more negative than I expected. It’s flat. It makes me feel yelled at. The words aren’t attractive. It needs more color. Ditch the megaphone.

Disappointed was my state of mind for a couple hours. I did some work on it, did a couple more mockups without the megaphone, and just didn’t like them at all. The design went from modern to retro in a matter of two hours and I hated it. Back to square one. I knew the megaphone was the way to go. It had been the lightbulb that went off in my head. It was stuck ‘on’ and I couldn’t turn it off. My idea wasn’t to shout at anyone, or boss people around. I wanted to communicate, to bring answers to those looking for help, to get the word out… And so, I had to keep it.

Back to the color changes. Because I look young especially in a ponytail, I needed to stay as far away from girlie colors as possible. No pink, no purple. I want to be taken seriously after all. Lots of changes later, and I’m a happy girl!

To say I’ve learned some things about myself during this process would be quite an understatement. Taking criticism is never easy, especially when it’s a result of following your dreams. Taking those opinions, both good and bad, with an open mind, weighing my options, making changes, and coming to the realization that in the end, it’s me who has to be happy with it was a huge step. Yes, what other people think matters, and I couldn’t thank my friends enough for their honest opinions; I needed them. Their help and ideas have helped to shape the future of this site!

I still have several hours worth of preparations to make before rolling out the all-new EricaSays.com. It’s going to be a lot of work, but it’s also going to rock!

I can’t wait to show it to you!