allow me to (re)introduce myself
Hey everyone! I’m B and WELCOME TO MY FREAKING BLOG.
Who would’ve thought?
I am a current senior in college and over the past few years I have been researching and learning about self-development and personal branding. It has become a large interest and passion of mine so I figured I would use this platform to organize my thoughts and share my ideas on these topics.
I am not an expert by any means, so please remember that this is coming from a 21-year-old privileged girl, but personal branding became an interest of mine while taking a marketing class (shout out Tom Marchese) my sophomore year of college as a business major. At that point in my life, I was not happy with myself or the life I was living. I grew up changing my answer the to the ever-so dreaded "What Do You Want To Do With Your Life" question daily. My responses ranged from car designer to garbage woman (the dreams of every young girl), to interior designer. When it was time to finalize this answer by picking a major of study in college, I still had no idea. Therefore, I chose the major any person does when they don't know what they want to do: Business.
I was in the process of trying to escape my unhappiness by continuing my uninteresting classes in a more interesting environment on the coast of Italy when I hit my breaking point. I realized that a change of scenery would not fix my problem. Tom had just given an applause-worthy lecture in class (unheard of, I know) about personal branding. It was so inspiring, it had me rethinking my whole life plan. It was this lecture I was reflecting on while I was on my way to the Italian Embassy to get my visa with my dad. This lecture lead me to two realizations; The first being that I had absolutely no interest or motivation to try and sell myself to companies. Second, I was not as passionate about anything in my life as Tom had been about that lecture.
I had a pit in my stomach and a lump in my throat— both of which were telling me this was not a good idea. With a shakey voice, I told my dad I didn't think I wanted to do this anymore. He pulled over on the side of the highway right before the turnpike. We sat and talked and did a bit of soul searching. My dad, being the angel that he is, gave me his full support in deciding I should call off this (unreal, picturesque, heavenly, jaw-dropping, etc.) trip abroad to instead pursue something more fit for me. We turned the car around and never looked back.
I know that sounds like a pretty anticlimactic story, but it actually was one of the most life-changing events that has happened to me (I am only a 21-year-old privileged girl, remember?). But before you shame me, allow me to tell you why.
Up until that moment, I had no idea I had the power to control my life. I don't mean that I had controlling parents who told me everything I had to do. I had amazing parents who let me explore and do things I wanted to and live my life (love you Mom and Dad). What I mean is that I was living my whole life restricted by the standards I had created for myself. I had to go to college because I told myself I did. I had to choose a realistic career path that would lead to financial success because I told myself I did. I had to stay in a major I was uninterested in because I told myself I did. But the thing is, I never gave myself concrete reasoning for those decisions other than "I have to." That day, I realized I didn't. I was restricting my own power to create a life I actually wanted. Was this change in plans easy? No. Did it come with consequences like two semesters of summer classes and a few 20 credit hour semesters? Yes. Did it cost me an amazing three months living on the Amalfi Coast? Yes (but I pretend to forget that). Am I writing this today with regret? Hell no.
I am now studying to be a teacher as well as indulging in the concept of life-long learning. I absolutely love what I am learning and I love the life I am creating for myself. One of my favorite quotes I have come across on this journey is from George Bernard Shaw: "Live not to find yourself, but create yourself". I hope this blog will allow me to continue to create myself and enhance my personal vision, brand, and purpose, and I hope I am able to teach you something about living a life you love as well.
I really want this platform to be less of a blog and more of a space for conversation! If you’re interested and have any ideas, comments, thoughts, corrections, criticism, questions, additional knowledge, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment on any post or email me! We are all here to learn, including me. I don’t want this to be the B Show…. (although stay tuned for that!?)
I am so happy to have you join me in this adventure.
Stay Stoked,
B