Mission Statement

You may have noticed that my site looks a little different. I’m trying to navigate this journey as I feel guided to; and early this week, I realized that I need to invest a little more in this platform. I’m, way, not done with this construction, but this is what sharing my progress looks like!

As I work toward these changes, I’m forced to consider how I would classify all of this writing and sharing. Am I a blogger? Am I a writer? Am I a nanny who’s publishing her journal on the Internet?

Right now, I’m thinking that I’m all of those. As I continue to experiment with what going up and up means for me, I’ve been approached on social media to start marketing for companies. That sounds a lot cooler than reality, guys—we’re talking selling health and wellness stuff or marketing for controversial charity companies.  I can’t deny that it’s flattering to be noticed, and enticing to have a side hustle; but the thing is, no offer has felt quite right. For how uncertain I am of the trajectory of this blog, I know that authenticity is at its core. I don’t want to use my writing powers to benefit someone else monetarily. Perhaps if I were contacted by a business of which I can stand behind completely, or that flawlessly aligns with the values associated with this blog, I’d consider the offers more genuinely.

I don’t want to feel forced to write. I don’t want to write about things that I don’t care about. When I have to write about topics irrelevant to me, everything becomes a lot less joy-filled and entertaining.  Don’t get me wrong, I know that I can, (I studied English in college, I’m great at making words about things I don’t care about) but for the purposes of whatever this is, anything disingenuous feels inherently wrong.  This is probably why I’ve not made a career of writing. If I had, I’d likely become so turned off by words that I would lose the greatest creative outlet I have.

So if my goal for this journey isn’t to sell my writing soul for profit, why do I share all of this on social media? Well, let me tell you:

I’m learning how to be noticed on the Internet. I’m beginning to learn the work it takes to interact with others and gain followers. It’s a system, you guys, and trying to slide my way in is about all the skill-manipulating I have in me. I’m trying to integrate socially for these words to be noticed. Sure, I share pictures of myself to get people here, and I’m going through the motions that I’m learning from other bloggers; but my intentions are neither notoriety nor profit. I mean, sure I’m not going to run from them, but they’re not my goal.  My purpose in this venture is to use my writing and experiences to help others. I’ve struggled deeply to reach the point at which I now find myself, and what an incredible waste it would be to not share my lessons with others interested in hearing them.  I want to get really good at this. I want to write as well as I can about what is most beneficial for you and me. What I’m thinking is that if I invest most of myself in this authenticity, only the most fitting opportunities will take this blog where it needs to go.

Best wishes to you all on this Wednesday from snowy Chicago. I hope that you have all watched the feed from the Tesla pointed toward Mars and appreciate how awesome Elon Musk is for not only pursuing his passions, but also intertwining them in his success.  I get really excited by people who do things well and with personality. I’d say that sending a test rocket to space with a dummy in a space suit, sitting in a Tesla, and playing David Bowie on repeat ranks highly on my coolness scale. Embracing passion is way cool. So is space.

I’ll be done now, see ya’ll on Friday.

-M