Hey Angelz!
So… it’s been almost two years since I announced I would be making some big updates to the website. I wanted to discuss this a bit more and how my ideas from that point in time have evolved, as well as some of my personal struggles with keeping up with the website and everything else I have going on. I would have typically made this type of update across my socials, but I felt it was best to utilize the blog to flesh out my thoughts and feelings.
To get straight into it, I want to clarify that these updates are still happening. When I initially dreamt up my ideas for updates to the website, I did not envision how large and tasking they would be. I thought it wouldn’t take longer than six months to finish these updates, but life happened and I kept getting more ideas. I am sure many can relate to this sentiment, but the past two years have felt double that. So much has happened between my personal life and in the world within this timeframe, and it feels like everything has moved both quickly and in slow motion. It’s hard to describe, but that is the best way I can put it at the moment.
I run this website. I have been doing a lot of editing on the website both publicly and privately, as some new stuff isn’t ready to be shown yet. I create social media content. I film and edit videos. I report Bratz-related news. I work a full-time job, as many people do. I do long commutes. I also do some freelance work where I can to bring in extra money. I travel when I can to visit my long-distance partner or I try to carve out time for when he visits me. It has been incredibly hard for me to catch my breath in the midst of everything because I have taken on so many personal and professional projects. This isn’t to say that I don’t love what I do—at least most of it—but I would be lying if I didn’t say I have felt burnt out and have lost some motivation along the way.
I feel incredibly blessed to have so many amazing opportunities, whether it be doing freelance work for MGA or receiving products from toy companies. I feel so lucky and privileged that I have a huge support system in my personal life and in the online doll community, especially from Bratz fans. To simply put it, my plate is full. In fact, I have at least five full plates. It’s hard to keep up with all these projects I have going on, along with focusing on my actual job and allowing myself free time. I often feel like I don’t have enough personal time or feel guilty when I allow myself that time—this is a habit I have gotten better with, but I am still learning to treat myself better.
This website is my pride and joy. It is a passion project I could have only dreamed of when I was a kid falling in love with Bratz. This website reminds me of the impact the Bratz brand has had in my life and why I hold it so near to my heart. I built this website from scratch and have grown it into something I am so proud of. I run this website entirely by myself and I intend to keep it that way. I have collaborated with a lot of insanely talented graphic designers and artists to bring some of my visions for this website update to life, but… it truly does take time to look this good! There are some really, really cool things coming to LookinBratz.com, but I do ask for patience and understanding as these things are being crafted with a lot of love and care. And no, it isn’t anything like a dress-up game or a wishlist feature or anything like that—I would love for those to be a reality one day, but I do not have the resources or money to make those things happen. At the core of LookinBratz.com is the Database and the distribution of knowledge about the Bratz brand, and this update will hopefully enhance those experiences for users.
Rest assured, the updates are happening… but maybe not as soon as I had hoped and promised. My goal is to have these updates fleshed out and ready early next year. I mean that! I may take some breaks from social media, video posting, etc. to focus more time into the website. However, it is difficult to let go of social media when some of my platforms—like YouTube and Facebook—are monetized and I depend on those incomes. I do not make much from social media nor do I make any money off this website. I never did any of this for money, but I won’t deny that the side income has helped me significantly. The past few months have been financially difficult as I have been sinking a lot of money into website updates. The cost it takes to run this website has increased a lot over the past year. It’s going to be worth it ultimately, but it has taken a huge financial toll on me.
If you are interested in helping support LookinBratz.com and the digital preservation of Bratz history, I have opened a donation page to keep things afloat on here. Any contributions are welcome and appreciated, but not necessary in order to support me and the website; but, it definitely helps in a huge way! Also supporting through social media helps a lot, especially on YouTube. I plan to open a Ko-fi account soon where I will be offering exclusive content, as well as accept donations/tips—stay tuned for that because I have really fun ideas for that platform!
If you haven’t seen my Twitter/X posts about the Bratz animation pieces I recently acquired (which also significantly affected my finances), I hope to post digitized versions of scripts, storyboards, concept art, and more exciting content from the Bratz television series and animated films soon to both the website and possibly Ko-fi! These will be behind a paywall as I am hoping to recoup some of its cost. You may have noticed that the Lookin’ Bratz Shop closed recently, but I am hoping to open it back up to sell these digital pieces, as well as potentially create fun prints and merchandise featuring animation concept art. The Shop is temporarily closed as I was losing money from it, which I cannot afford at this moment nor would that ever be an ideal situation. I am hoping to bring my Bratz-inspired merch back to the Shop in the future, but in due time!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I look forward to what the future holds for Lookin’ Bratz, both in regards to the website and on social media! The future is bright, but every great thing takes time to build. Maybe I should have held off on announcing updates as early as I did, but… to be fair, I initially announced LookinBratz.com a whole two years before it actually launched. Regardless, I appreciate the support and love for the website and my social media content! Here’s to great things coming soon! It’ll be worth the wait.
In the meantime, if you would like to support me on socials, make sure to check out Lookin’ Bratz on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, and TikTok! Stay stylin’!
xoxo
