OK, Let’s do this.

To begin with, this is my first EVER blog post in my own voice, and I’ve had total writer’s block over it. Why is a blank page SO hard to fill? Well, I’m a brand new blogger who has always wanted to have my own blog. But something has been holding me up. Fear. 

Hemingway said, “Write drunk, edit sober”. Well, I’ve been fighting a winter flu, so instead have a mug of tea in my hand, a strict deadline, and an hour free while my hubby takes the kid out for ice skating & pizza. It’s time to GSD. Let’s get this blogging thing started. 

I’ve always loved to write and have been thinking about starting this blog for over a decade.

So why become a blogger NOW?

 Yes, I’ve been totally busy managing social media and blogs for others… and growing my Instagram presence. But the truth is, I’ve been paralyzed. I couldn’t decide what my focus should be; Iknow how to create a basic website, but kept on avoiding it. And who want to say too much and be an oversharer … or keep my guard up and say too little.

Consequently,  Brene Brown would say, I’ve spent much of my time and energy “pleasing, performing & perfecting” for most of my life.  Let me tell you, that shit is exhausting. And it’s why I haven’t started this blog yet, or allowed myself to become a legit blogger. 

The List of Shame

Is it narcissistic to become a blogger? Who do I think I am?

What if no one reads it?

What if everyone reads it?

What if people hate what I have to say?

What will happen if my students, their parents, and my bosses run across my blog?

What if my son reads it one day?

What if my husband reads it?

What if my exes read it?

What if my parents read it?

What if my closest friends read it?

What will people in my hometown think?

What will people in my new city think?

What if I sound too academic?

What if I don’t sound smart enough?

 OK so I actually feel SO much better getting that off my chest. I feel like if this blogging all blows up in my face, at least this shit has already acknowledged. Whew.

*Insert Obligatory Inspiring Brene Brown Quote Here*

So, I’m OBSESSED with Brene Brown, and have read all her books and taken her “Living Brave Semester”.  These quotes really resonate with me: “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen” and “Nothing has transformed my life more than realizing that it’s a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the reaction of the people in the stands.” Yes! Launching this blog feels BRAVE.

Small Town Girl Moves to the Big City: Who Am I Now?

Since I moved to the mainland a year ago, all of my social media contracts ended and I’ve amped up my Instagram presence, thanks to the tools I learned in Caley Dimmock’s Instabrand Me and Studio Sessions: Intro to Photography for Content Creators.  I’ve also connected with Melissa Warren of Foundation Creative and Real Mother Hustler who taught me how to blog in her “Better Blogging” workshop, created my branding & this website.

Going through a formal branding process has been such a valuable process for me.  I had NO idea how in depth we’d get to create the perfect strategy for my brand identity and business goals. I’m so humbled and excited with my new logo and website. It feels authentically Kama.

Having a solid brand and plan in place, along with a tribe of people who support, encourage and believe in me has prompted me to fight my fears and create this blog. One of the biggest changes is that I now have an active co-parent in my husband who is helping me to raise our son and provide a stable, fun home life for us to springboard from.

In Memory Of:

In conclusion, I’d like to dedicate this first blog post—and this entire website– to the late Kristi Dobson and Luke Voss-Kernan.

Kristi’s fierce passion for sharing positive community stories about Port Alberni through Heartbeat of the Valley continues to inspire my work. Kristi was the first journalist who championed our former project with Tashia, Ben and Aaron: The Heart of Vancouver Island. www.hovi.com

Luke’s passion for “dream big, do bigger” inspired me when I met him and his family in Kenya.  His memory continues to live on through Luke’s Lights which provides solar lights to children around the world so they can live, play, study and thrive with light that is lasting and sustainable.

Find out more: www.unite-to-light.org

What’s Holding You Back?

Is there something YOU’VE always wanted to do, but have been dragging your feet on? What is it, and what’s been stopping you from making it happen?