A couple of weeks ago, I came out of the closet and wrote about my day job as a doctor. I talked about my career, touching upon blogging within that. As promised today I thought I’d expand on the blogger side of me, like the true contradiction that I am and explain more about why I shared my career secret.
I never would have become a doctor if it wasn’t for my Dad becoming ill when I was just starting high school. Before that I had wanted to do something creative, most notably fancying becoming a landscape architect to combine my love of gardening (yes, I was a garden geek at a young age!) and design. I was never a scientist or an academic, preferring reading and writing and being abysmal at Maths. Looking back it’s not a suprise that I eventually looked for something else to run alongside medicine.
I’m lucky now, it’s accepted that a lot of GP’s have other interests, whether they be academic, business related or completely outside medicine, in sports for example. On the whole it’s a supportive place to be although at first I wondered who would want a part time blogger as a GP partner. I’ve slowly learned that my blogging background and learned business mindset adds lots of strings to my bow as a GP and potential employee. You wouldn’t think it, but it’s been almost as hard getting people to take me seriously as a blogger because I’m a GP as the other way around. I can vividly remember back in the early days being asked by another blogger what I worked as. Her immediate response was ‘Oh, well you wont be giving up that anytime soon, will you?!‘ accompanied by an almost audible sigh of relief. I love my job and I never take for granted that I’m very lucky to be able to do it, but it doesn’t mean that it’s the only thing for me. Everyone’s immediate assumption was that blogging is a bit of a hobby, when in fact, it’s equally important to me.
In a way it’s the perfect antidote. Style isnt exactly encouraged in my job and being a young woman in medicine can be difficult enough without inviting criticism or comment on your appearance. It’s been a minefield of sartorial disasters that I’m delighted to have emerged from unscathed. I know that there are many professional women reading in similar positions who, despite their high brow, academic or just plain competitve jobs, still love all the more traditional aspects of female life. And I guess that’s where Florence Finds comes in, I write it, you read it, but we’re all enjoying the diversion and trying to get back some balance in our lives. I’d even go so far as to say that my outside interests make me a better doctor (for some patients.) Commenting on a woman’s shoes or empathising with the embarrassment of unshaved legs immediately puts people at their ease and shows them I’m a real person too.
Of course, my job also gives me a unique perspective that only enhances the honesty and realism on Florence Finds. Whilst I am a make-up fanatic, (I should point out that involves admiring and procuring a lot of it, rather than trowling it on daily,) when it comes to the ahem, ‘anti-aging’ benefits of x, y or Z in a face cream, I’m just not going to buy into the market hype without some seriously impressive and robust evidence behind it. Always an issue in the past, now I’m free to hold my hands up and say, you’re not going to change the ravages (or hopefully just gentle effects!) of time, no matter how expensive the cream is, unless of course you resort to additional cosmetic or even surgical procedures. That said, I think half of the benefits of cosmetics comes from the feeling of well being you get from using them so if I like it, you’ll hear about it, just don’t expect miracles. 
Honesty is a huge part of my job, as are ethics and morality. The beauty industry isn’t known for it’s transparency or the fashion world it’s realism but those are things that are really important to me as a person and a blogger. You won’t see me personally recommending something I haven’t tried and you will see me putting my money where my mouth is by wearing and sharing the trends I’m admiring. The same goes for trying new things, new places, going out on a limb for life in general. It’s all too easy as a blogger to be so busy keeping up with the latest trends and schmoozing with the industry professionals you’re involved in, but I also want a life. Me sharing the realities of my life with you is the heart of Florence Finds and it’s important to me that my voice is authentic and genuine. I want to inspire people, whether it’s the small things like the perfect lip colour that makes you feel wow, or saying ‘dream big, dig deeper, be better’ and I can’t do that if I don’t make myself do it too.
I talked a little about how being a doctor affects my perspective on life in the last post, but it also affects my perspective on blogging. Ever popular amongst blogs are the posts sharing life’s trials and tribulations and I’m no different to any of you in how they affect me day to day. Blogging has become so much a part of my daily life that situations and issues turing over in my mind instantly translate to writable blog posts. More often than not though, I just can’t bring myself to do it. The daily grind doesn’t even compare to the difficulties other people face with social and medical problems and I’m reminded of that every day. Even what feels like a big(er) issue, once shared in a blog post, provokes the natural response from readers, an outpouring of sympathy and support. As wonderful as this is to receive, frankly I don’t feel I deserve it. Over all, in the bigger picture, I am very fortunate, so you won’t hear me complaining much. Don’t think my life is perfect as a result, just enjoy the positive outlook instead. 
Although I wouldn’t normally class myself as needing to ‘escape’, that’s exactly what Florence Finds is. My escape into a womens world, where I’m happiest, with friends, great shoes, gossip, tips, reassurance when you need it and a little bit of joyful magic every day. I know many of you are enjoying it already – long may that continue
Love,
Rebecca
xo
So nice to have someone cut through all the crap! Really looking forward to meeting you on Saturday, eek.
“Going out on a limb for life in general” Well written but more importantly well acted upon Rebecca.
Love it. Fantastic post and thanks for reminding me to have perspective x
What Amy F said
I love FF because it’s authentic, unapologetic and delivers what its readers want and need. No drama, no lies, just well-written, diverse and honest blogging. I like that you have the guts to show us who you really are, what you really wear, how you really live, and that you don’t sell us an image or a brand.
FF flag-waving! x
hear-bloody-hear.
p.s. Anna, stop looking so gorgeous in your avatar!
In a completely non-stalker way (honest!) I love that you are sharing more about yourself on these fab pages. I work for a bank and am almost at the point where I have given up telling people this in person (judged much?!) and sometimes the daily grind is a whole lot of work and not alot else but, and I think we all need reminded of this sometimes, I’m a lucky girl. I can still call myself a girl even though the big 3-0 was last month right?! x
I can merely echo what Amy and Anna said (and I think we should definitely all have flags), it’s so refreshing to read something so genuine. A lot of lifestyle blogs make me feel scared and a little bit rubbish for being a style-free zone. I love FF because it showcases style without pretending to be perfect. It means I don’t have to pretend that I am either. And accidentally shave off an eyebrow or something in the process of trying.
Also, this is now going to sound uber-fangirl but I love that you’ve managed to find a way to live both your passions, to have your vocation but not let it suppress your creativity. It’s inspirational (that was the uber-fangirl bit, sorry).
K x
I already said it on twitter, but in the spirit of practising what I preach: I love these posts and I love your attitude to work, blogging and life in general. Nicely done, Dr FF. See you Saturday!
I wish you had a “like” button that I could click on. I don’t feel like I need to say much more!
Oh except, keep up the good work and that I’m performing a standing ovation for you at my desk!
P.s. I am performing said standing ovation in a dress that you told me to buy. I <3 Florence Finds!
Rebecca I know exactly what you mean about not being a typical medic-type, I too have a very creative side which has been suppressed for so long while trying to do all those damn exams, but just like you I am now trying to let my creative side break through (in my case it’s designing and making jewellery which I’ve been doing since my teens but now want to turn into something more…) It’s partly thanks to you that I’ve realised it IS possible to have a passion outside of medicine so thankyou!!
Thanks guys, I don’t want to sound holier than thou, but whilst the job doesn’t have to take over your life, it certainly does take over my mindset. I love that FF is the opportunity to be creative and lose myself in all the fripperies and frivolity of life, and I don’t feel guilty for a second of it
Good news just in too. FF Afternoon tea is booked. Look out for a date and how-to-be-there post soon!
xo
Whoop Whoop to FF afternoon tea.
Eeep!! Can’t wait
I like that you give a true-to-life accounts on most occasions, but have to disagree that by not blogging about lifes trials and tribulations you are remaining totally honest. Surley by not giving your readers the ups and the downs you are a presenting a glossed over version? To me, its the gritty stuff that I apprecaite as it can often be something that I, as well as others, are also going through. Far too many blogs paint a rose-tinted version of their lives which can lead readers to feel insecure about their own realities as they compare themselves to unrealistic ideals. It’s not about having a pity party, sometimes its just comforting to know that your not the only one having a bad day/month/year. I’m certainly not saying you do this, but just thought I’d paint the picture of the flip side, of not sharing those not-so-great times that absolutely everybody has.
xx
Hi Abi,
I’m really glad there are readers like you out there who are happy to hear more about the bad days, I think what I was trying to say is not that I don’t have them at all, but more that in the grand scheme of things I don’t feel me moaning about my life warrants the outpouring of support it would provoke, as kind as you all can be. I don’t shy away from sharing personal, or indeed difficult times in my life, I’m mentioned both my Dads death as a child and losing a close friend of my mums in recent months, and I would never presume to say that readers aren’t going though equally difficult situations too, I just prefer that Florence Finds is a corner of escape, not just for me but all of you too.
You have to remember too, even the bloggers you read that do disclose their difficulties, may not be portraying themselves accurately. Everybody, and this doesn’t just apply to bloggers, only shows the world, or their readership, what they want them to see. I like to think that within the posts I write there is realism and truth, I might mention spots and the like in a beauty post but the over all tone is never going to be ‘woe-is-me, my life is/was so terrible, but I soldier on bravely’.
Don’t worry, I have plenty to share about real life – I hope I’ll see you there identifying with it all in the comments box
xo
Great read Rebecca, as always.
I’m always amazed at how you manage a challenging job and a great blog. I can see that it’s the passion for both which makes it work out so well!
What a lovely post Rebecca, you were born to be a blogger and I love the way you balance your love for blogging with the other passions in your life and your Dr’s career, it’s real, honest and inspirational.
Long may your lovely new blog provide inspiration to many my sweet
xXx
I am awed by your time management skills – you always seems so calm in the face of what must be a very packed schedule! I always wondered what it was that set FF apart from other lifestyle blogs, and you’ve nailed it here. It’s about being a practical, intelligent woman who loves a bit of frippery – and why bloody not.
Px