Changes at The Curved Opinion

One thing that I think most people struggle with when starting a blog is choosing the name.

Whether you want a catchy title, something descriptive or a play on words that reflects what you are about; we all start out with a idea as to the way forward in which we wish to take with our blogs and the name reflects that.

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When I started The Curved Opinion a few years ago it was with the intention of featuring plus size fashion and recording my journey into body confidence.  As you can see from my post last week, that journey is not yet at an end.

What I did not expect when I started this journey is that I would change so much from the person that I was.  Confidence has brought so many amazing things into my life and with them, my personality has changed so much. I am no longer scared to say what I think on a subject.  I always had "an opinion", hence the name of my blog; but I have never been able to voice it clearly or sometimes at all.

To be honest, if I was to bump into myself from a few years ago, I do not think that I would recognize myself; more on a personal level than a physical.  The outside has changed in so far as I now wear colour, but the inside is unrecognizable from whom I was.

Along with the changes in myself, this blog has evolved along with me.  I want to write.  Not just about fashion, but about anything, and everything.

I have found myself worrying over the past few weeks that my "plus size fashion" blog, had not had much fashion involved much recently and certainly nowhere near to the extent that I used to.  As my style has evolved into essentially lots and lots of patterned dresses, I cannot afford to always have new ones.

I also worry that I write too many "talky" kind posts (and here I am again) and that people will call me a sell out for writing the odd sponsored post.

I still want to write about fashion and will always blogs the new clothes that I buy and take part in group challenges, but there are so many other directions I want to take with this blog too.  I want to do a monthly charity feature post, I want to do a weekly "Thoughts of the Week" post on current events.  I want to do so many things now that I wonder, can I still call myself a plus size fashion blogger?

All the blogs I read are from plus size fashion bloggers and this will not change.  I worry that if I change my blog to being "all things under one umbrella" will people even still be interested in what I have to say?

I know we all say and I know I have certainly said to others that your blog is your own, to do with what you wish.    But admitting that in my current mindset I am more lifestyle and opinions than fashion feels a lot like leaving a safe cocoon that I love.  The thought of not calling myself a plus fashion blogger somehow terrifies me.  Except I am not leaving, I'm just branching out.

I don't even know if this makes any sense to anyone reading it, but these are thoughts and worries that have been spinning around in my head.  The meme below is essentially what I keep thinking about the changes I want to make.

In short:  I am not going to be writing about fashion as much as I used to, I am excited about also writing new things, I hope that no one thinks that I am sticking two fingers up at the plus size blogging community which I love beyond anything or that I am a sell out.

My confidence may have changed but I am, it seems, still a worrier!

In Your Eyes

When it comes to maintaining our heath and keeping up our appearances, most of us have a set routine that we follow.

We visit the dentist twice a year for check ups and cleaning, we get our hair cut every 6-8 weeks; we go for regular beauty treatments and we visit our doctor for any medication we may need.  All of these things are set features in our lives, things that we know need to be done and yet; there is one essential appointment that we always forget.

Getting our eyes tested.

For something as vital as ensuring that our eyesight is maintained, many of us are quite lackadaisical about getting them checked.

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The College of Optometrists recommends that everyone over the age of 16 should be having an eye test every two years.  Personally, I am ashamed to admit that I have not had an eye sight examination in around ten years.  Considering that I work with computer screens 5 days a week and therefore my sight is more at risk, you would think that this would make me more careful.

Eye tests do not only examine your sight, they can also pick up other problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.  There is also research currently being carried out in order to discover whether an eye test could also spot early Alzheimer's Disease, being symptoms have presented. 

Having decided that it is high time I did so, I am now going to be arranging an eye test.  Having done my research I have decided to go with Optical Express as I like the charity work that they do and the projects they work with; particularly Vision Aid Overseas and Lightforce International.

Many businesses have plans in place with opticians in order to offer employees eye test for free or alternatively offer recompense when presented with a receipt.   You can arrange an eye test for around £30.00 and depending on your circumstances, you may be able to arrange this for free through the NHS.

Our eye sight is so important and is something that we should no neglect.  So if you have, like me, been forgetful about your appointments, arrange one today! 

* This post is in collaboration with Optical Express but all opinions are my own