We’re all familiar with that famous saying, “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, but is it really? I don’t personally think so. Of course it’s nice that someone likes what you’re doing and I guess it could be considered a compliment, technically. Overall when you find yourself being copied it’s more frustrating and annoying than anything else if you ask me. There seems to be a worrying trend emerging and I honestly don’t know how some people get away with it. The increasingly popular copycat culture is somewhat disconcerting to say the least.
Now don’t get me wrong, I totally understand that we’re all inspired by someone and that’s great. Taking inspiration can be a good thing. But without any clear boundaries when does inspired become imitated? With the internet at our finger tips there are endless ways to find inspiration. Some of the most popular places that spring to mind are are both Pinterest and Instagram.
We have access to virtually everything through our phones, tablets, computers, etc. The world has never seemed so small. Across a multitude of social media platforms we are able to find people from all over the world and see what it is that they’re doing, and vice versa. It’s no wonder that in a world where everything and everyone is so accessible it can be overwhelming to know exactly where to fit in without appearing to be copying someone else.
“Without any clear boundaries when does inspired become imitated?”
As a blogger, I think it’s amazing if you’re able to inspire others, that isn’t the problem here, infact its a good thing if anything. But to go and outright copy without crediting the source of your inspiration isn’t cool at all. Credit where credits due and all that.
Living in a world where it seems that everything has already been done or is being done, can make discovering our own originality incredibly difficult. You can expect to see a degree of similarities among bloggers, particularly those in the same niche as they blog about similar topics. A lot of the time many of us have the same or similar style photo props for example.
Nearly all bloggers at one point or another had a shared love of rose gold and marble so you would see a lot of if around. If I find a prop I love, I like to share it on my social media, sharing’s caring after all. But sharing and copying are completely different things.
Some content creators have incredible accounts and they’re insanely popular so it’s easy to think that we need to be more like them to succeed. This is where we lose sight of ourselves and become a little lost and wondering where we really fit in. In reality it isn’t possible for most of us to have a photographer at our disposal or always be in picture perfect places around the world.
You do you, boo.
Regardless of what anyone else is doing, there’s one thing we all have at our disposal that nobody else does, ourself. We all have our own unique qualities which define us and allow us to be different to everybody else out there. We need to use this to our advantage and give everything we do in life our own flare. Of course that can sometimes be easier said than done but in time we master our craft, and find our place.
Lately I’ve really been struggling with finding my own originality so much so that I’ve almost dropped off the radar. I couldn’t see where to go with my blog or my Instagram so I stopped using them for a period of time and I’m sad that I got to that point. That said I do know in my heart that I don’t want to stop using my blog or my social media, so moving forward I’m going to turn the pressure down and adopt a more relaxed approach. Moving forward I plan to post what I like, when I like and only if it’s content I love.
I don’t want to keep trying to share what’s popular just to try to fit in. Surely it’s better to post what I’m passionate about and it will shine through right? Even if it isn’t popular, at least it will be true to myself. That’s the main and most important thing here, and the whole reason I started out in the first place.
Just remember why you started in the first place
Sometimes you’ll be surprised by what becomes popular causing people to lose their shit. Take Mrs Hinch as a prime example. Surely there isn’t a soul alive wondering who Mrs Hinch is? For anyone who doesn’t know, she’s from Essex and has a cleaning obsession, yes that’s right, cleaning. She began sharing her love of cleaning on her Instagram stories and now she has gone viral, shops are selling out of all cleaning products she mentions pretty much and every man and their dog have gone cleaning mad! Bet you’d never have thought you’d see the day the county went crazy for cleaning! It works for her because it’s what she enjoys and that comes through when you watch the stories she shares.
If cleaning can become the next big in thing, anything can!
If anyone else is feeling similar to how I have of late, try to remember why you started out in the first place. This applies to everything, not just blogging. One thing to remember is that you’re most definitely not alone in this. I’m fairly sure we all go through this from time to time, it’s human.
So I guess what I’m really trying to say is to trust the process, it’s all a journey onto better things and don’t be hard on yourself, you’re better than you think.
What are your thoughts on the topics mentioned in this post? I’d love to see what other people’s views are, leave me a comment below with your views.
36 Comments
HELL NO! haha I hate copy cats, I’m all for taking inspo from, but I cannot handle outright copies it drives me MAD.
Erin || MakeErinOver
Copying is so not cool! I’m all for taking inspo from others but there’s a fine line between that and outright copying x
I hate people that copy, it drives me nuts BUT but I also do acknowledge that no ‘thing’ is unique anymore because of all the reasons you’ve listed. I think taking inspiration is fine but outright copies are an insult x
Inspiration and imitation are completely different things. I think that taking inspiration from something is flattering, but copying something is a bad move.
Eve x
I completely agree with you, I find it irritating when I see virtual copies of the same material or styles everywhere or when someone copies me in reality haha, while I also see the other side of the situation and sometimes it’s genuinely an inspiration thing, it’s all about intentions.If someone credits someone for that idea or whatever, then I think it’s a bit more acceptable, otherwise it can be insulting. Thank you for sharing! x
It’s very hard to create unique content these days, especially when so many of us are reviewing the same products or writing on the same theme, there’s bound to be some overlap. But that’s not the same as outright plagiarism and I completely agree with you, that’s not right. I always give credit (or try to) where it’s due and I would expect the same in return (although I’m not sure I have anything that’s particularly copy-worthy, haha). I’m glad you’ve got your passion back, I look forward to reading more of your posts in future 🙂 x
Lisa | http://www.lisasnotebook.com
Some good advice and things to think about in this post for sure! It’s always important to make something your own even if you got basic idea from somewhere else!
You’re right! Copying isn’t flattering – inspiring is. I love it when people say they’ve been inspired by something someone’s done, and they create something new and awesome from it – not when they just reproduce it!
Thanks for the honesty behind this post – there’s a difference between copying and being inspired by someone. Sometimes like you mentioned there can be two bloggers talking about this same topic but I feel it is obvious if one of them has copied or not.
Soffy / themumaffairs.blogspot.com
This is such a well written post. I totally agree, you should find your own ‘thing’ whatever that may be. Of course we can be inspired by others and we can use ideas that we like but it’s always good to put your own spin on things.
Lovely blog!
Chloe x
http://www.chloechats.com
This is such a breath of fresh air to read to see someone else is feeling similar to me. Every time I try to be original, it seems someone’s always got there before. I think there’s a fine line between imitation and inspiration. I think by giving credit where it’s due for knowing you are taking other’s ideas and putting your own spin goes a long way in helping your credibility.
I love what you said about remembering why you do this. I find myself needing a break quite often from blogging to collect myself and come back with fresh new ideas after being inspired!
Thanks for the great post,
Sarah x
I can totally see where you’re coming from with this post! I think someone imitating or taking someone’s idea to a certain extent may be understandable… but when it goes too far and it’s no longer originality, it’s not flattering or taken as a compliment at that point.
Hey Melanie! It’s true people do copy but I’m a firm believer the copiers never do it better than the originators. While it may seem like they’re getting with it, in the long-run, they never win. You’re right as bloggers we all have similar content but as individuals fresh perspectives. We just have to stay true to ourselves, not try too hard or compare our content and worth to others. Great topic!
Natonya |
I love this post! Copying is a big old no no but if you find something inspiring then it’s OK to write about that subject from your own point of view I think
Em x
I’ve missed your posts so much my lovely, I think we all at some point talk about all the same things, but it is so important to put your own thoughts into it! That is what makes blogging amazing!
I totally agree with the whole Mrs Hinch thing, she has made cleaning fun!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
I really enjoyed reading this post!I totally agree with you
Totally see where you’re coming from, Melanie. Passion and a true love of your subject is so important and I’ve been there too when I just felt a little unmotivated so I stopped posting. It’s so easy to just do the ‘go-to’ posts but good on you for not ! It’s more authentic I think.
Ps. I love Mrs Hinch too haha.
Sincerely, Sarah xx
http://www.sincerelysarah.net
I totally agree with you, it’s one thing to be inspired by someone or someone else’s work but to copy and paste someone else’s work is to me wrong. I think it is really hard to be original in this day and age but I have this quote that I love, ‘yes it may have been done by others but it hasn’t been done by you’ Great post!
Unfortunately there’s always going to be those copy cats I’m afraid, but sometimes people should get off Instagram or Pinterest and try thinking for themselves for once. We’re in a world where it’s good to be different!
Really liked this post
Ellen ,
http://elliebearescapades.blogspot.com/
Nothing is completely ordinal now so there was always going to be someone with the same idea but blatantly copying someone isn’t right x
http://www.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
I think inspiration is fine, and it is nice to tag the person too, but imitation is a definite no!
Taking inspiration from someone and straight up copying them are two VERY different things, you’re absolutely right. I hate it when it see people copying – either myself or others. It’s one thing that REALLY grinds my gears. I had a Twitter account (who are all about supporting bloggers etc) straight up copy my old pinned tweet, almost word for word and so many people commented asking why they did it and they said they’d taken inspiration from me. Then why didn’t they just retweet my original tweet?
Copying is copying any way you want to look at it. If someone inspires you then crediting them is not even questionable. You just do it. I don’t know why some people think they can just take ideas from others and not give them an ounce of credit! Honestly, if I was inspired by someone to write a post, an Instagram pic or whatever, I would actually contact the source of inspiration, to say that I was inspired by them and would they mind if I did something along those lines, albeit with my own spin on it and of course say that I would credit them. It’s just being polite and the right thing to do. 🙂
This was a really interesting post to read, it is so true! People see others success and want to use what they do as a quick fix to that goal but it’s just unrealistic. People want to see people’s genuine thoughts and personality. I’m glad you wrote this as a reminder to us all that copying isn’t flattery it can be stealing and it can cause such dishearten ment
Alex x
https://allthingsalexx.wordpress.com/
It can be hard to find yourself xx
Absolutely not! It’s always nice when you inspire someone, and I have no problem with people borrowing things from my work like a blog post theme or a prop idea, but outright copying someone else’s entire work or taking photos almost identical to theirs is so cheeky!
Emma | emmadrury.com
Copying winds me up so much, I think there’s a big difference between inspiration and copying and people need to remember that xx
Great blog post babe, love your pictures! I hate people who copy things so much. 💗
With love, Alisha Valerie x
I completely agree with this!
It’s not flattering – not that anyone would copy me or my blog haha – and I also think it’s much better if everyone’s content is different, if everything looked the same it’d be boring! x
I love this post! I find it really annoying but do have to remind myself it is flattery, still doesn’t make it ok though does it? x
Such a fab post, glad you decided to get back to it with your own style, I bet you’ll find you enjoy it more too xx
I really like your take and where you are coming from. I just started blogging so it’s not like I have a ton of experience but I like reading what you have to say. I keep getting stuck with what I want my blog to be and my husband keeps telling me to just be me. That at the end of the day that’s what sets me apart. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I’m glad I read what you have to say on this topic.
It’s very hard to do something that goes against the norm these days but I spent a long time trying to come up with something different and I am with you. I don’t like people that copy deliberately. There is a difference between eing inspired by someone and then deliberately taking their ideas.
Great post. I couldn’t agree more – there are so many bloggers all doing the same thing. I don’t think it’s copying as such, more thinking this is what they should be blogging about. Blogs should be about the writer writing about what they love, not what they think will make them money!
Copying is in no way cool! For somebody to do that to someone shows a complete lack of respect to the person you’ve copied work from! Blogs should only be about what is unique to you! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I have always loved flowers, wildlife, and nature in general. I have a large yard and I enjoy working outside when the weather is nice. My yard is very nice and relaxing. My husband and I also bought a boat because we enjoy boating. I am an introvert; however, and people don’t understand introverts. We are accused of being stuck up, weird, or just not fun to be around so I don’t get included in things by my so called social media friends. The thing that annoys me is that the very people who don’t include me copy every aspect of my life! I do things that I enjoy. I am not in a competition with anyone. I try not to let it bother me but sometimes it still does.