But I won't do that.

This space started out as a place to rant, express pride, and just talk shit for a laugh, but it's become so much more than that.

I've been receiving pitches from companies since the very start, but it wasn't until recently that it was discussed on Twitter that I realised I've been selling myself short.

Blogging sometimes feels like primary school. Where you'll do anything to make other people like you, even if you feel uncomfortable doing so.

I've had pitches where I have sold myself out a bit and felt all kinds of wrong writing them up. Luckily I decided against hitting publish. I've also, decided to only take on board ideas that I genuinely love, and are worth my while, and yours to read, without jeopardising my credibility.

I have deleted pitches where I'm addressed as 'Dear Blogger' or 'Hi There' and have even deleted a few where you can tell the pitcher has read my most recent post in an attempt to get to know me quickly before pitching an idea that I mentioned three posts before the one they read, that I don't like or wouldn't do.

I recently received a pitch for a sponsored post which I loved. I loved the way it was presented to me, and you could tell the pitcher had become familiar with myself, and my family, by actually reading my blog & promoted an idea that I fell in love with. I do not regret promoting it on my blog, nor do I regret doing so for money.

However, I was again pitched an idea by the same company, expecting a post done for free on something I have mentioned in the past that I refuse to promote. Not by the same company who ruined my love of certain things at all, but it was a similar idea.

So I was met with internal conflict. Do I do it, just this once, even though I don't believe in it, for free? Do I ask for money and sell myself out? Do I ignore the email? Or do I put on my big girl jocks and politely decline the offer, outlining the reasons why I won't do it, for fear of never being offered anything again?

I ended up declining the offer. I couldn't bring myself to be a sell-out. Because that's exactly what I'd be if I did it. The Primary School aged kid in me was worried I wouldn't be liked and no-one would play with me anymore, but I don't blog for PR companies' approval, I blog for myself and for my readers who know me, know my family through what I share.

I don't want people to think I'm a wife, mother and sell-out.

Because I'm not.

If some companies don't want to work with me, that's okay. There are plenty more who will, and if I post something I don't believe in all I'm doing is risking my credibility and my readership, which is worth more than whatever I'm offered, from the company I sell myself out for.

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To all you Bloggers out there, have you posted about something you don't believe in for the sake of money/material goods, or for fear you won't be asked again? What's the best/worst pitch you've had?