Blog photo circa 2017
I can’t even begin to tell you how unfamiliar this feels. Something that used to be routine for me just feels… foreign now. Let’s rewind for a minute here.
In 2010, I decided to start a fashion blog on Blogger. There were 10 blogs in my rotation that I’d read every single day - mostly fashion, and I felt inspired to share my own personal style journey. It was the same year Instagram started, and I began sharing my journey on a photo-sharing app, that as we all know, developed into something more. It was on that very blog where I found my calling — my creative outlet that there was more for me in store. I taught myself how to use a camera, elevated my style and photo quality, and after years and years of learning and staying consistent, I built a following on my blog and social media platforms. The blog kickstarted my entire journey of being in the social media space, and my interest of pursuing it as my full-time career.
A partnership with Grand Central Terminal circa 2019
Fast forward to 2020, I quit my corporate job, took a leap of faith, and started my own social media agency. Five years later, the agency has pivoted in various directions and I’ve learned so much along the way. I’ve had the privilege of working with talented, ambitious, and inspiring individuals and companies to help them share their story on social media. Understanding my calling has been the hardest part of this journey yet. Every year I challenge myself to step outside of what’s comfortable and to keep learning in the space that offers unlimited knowledge. And I know there will always be more to learn. That’s what excites me. I can’t speak for what’s ahead on this career path, but I want to be ready for it when it comes. Which is why I want to document it in the best way I know how — through words. It’s what started this entire journey, and I owe it to writing to keep seeing it through.
My purpose has led me here…
I couldn’t always make out the words I wanted to say out loud, but through writing… I was invincible. I could write for hours, perfectly crafting every detail and thought. I loved writing so much that it became a part of my identity in some ways.
It helped me finish the thoughts that I couldn’t say aloud sometimes. It comforted me because words had a way of showing me affection. It could transport me back to nostalgia — old memories that I wanted to keep forever. Through words, I could relive the pain I felt through dark / challenging seasons. Words have the power to break, but they also have the power to heal. And so I’m opening up this journey again. I’m going back to my roots of how it all started for me…
So what exactly will this platform be about?
I’ve come a long way since my fashion days. I still love fashion, don’t get me wrong, but as I’ve entered new chapters, my priorities have shifted. This little space on the Internet will be more of my life journey — the ups and downs, what I’m working on as a business owner and newlywed living in a new city, all most of the thoughts that’s going through my mind that I don’t share on social media, in-depth focus on my running journey — what I’m training for, what I’m focusing on, race recaps, etc. And of course, you as a reader can input and ask questions about anything I share too.
One more final note:
The past month or so, I’ve been helping my client Brian Boisvert find his happy medium on Substack, and the idea of starting my own excited me. I felt inspired — I loved reading his journey of his marathon / half marathon training, what was on his mind, and it felt like I was having deeper conversations with him simply by reading his words. And I think there’s something to note about Substack versus social media platforms. We loved the idea of connecting with others on our own terms — not being fed content that we didn’t ask for. We found it invasive to our thoughts, whereas a blog, we can choose to engage and watch, preferably on our own time. And I don’t know if this resonates with anyone else, but just know you’re not alone in feeling this way. Social media will always be present, but it’s these perspectives that help us understand how it can affect us positively and negatively, and what we can do to better ourselves.
That’s it.
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I’m so excited to see where this Substack takes you! It is already such a different experience and I love hearing your stories in a new way!!