If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen post that stated “something exciting is coming to a browser near you.” Well…here it is! My first blog post since March 2018! I’m coining this Miami post as a soft “re-launch” of the blog. Same look, new date stamp.

For awhile, it was hard to find the inspiration to write. I traveled to some amazing places (Dominican Republic, Miami x2, Italy and New York City), spent countless hours researching and buying top brands in skincare and make up and collaborated with talented photographers on several fun shoots.

But, a lot held me back from from compiling it all together to ready a post. The editing, but even more so: the writing.

I blamed it on work and not having the time, energy or inspiration. I quite enjoy writing, but when the intention is “make it valuable to your reader,” you become critical. Or should I say, “I” become critical. In the end, “I” was the only thing holding me back from a post.

I started my blog as a platform to creatively express myself, both visually and literally–in long form because it’s so much better than an Instagram caption.

The financial benefit of blogging has become more evident since the launch of Ynique circa 2015. You had your OG Bloggers (@chiaraferragni, @chrisellelim, @aimeesong, etc.) who started five years before me, but your standard Instagrammer, without a blog, wasn’t baking the dough.

Nowadays, the digital marketplace has shifted, especially with Instagram’s latest algorithm. Now, it’s about finding ways to work it, engaging with your followers and monetizing, monetizing, monetizing!

Additionally, the market has become saturated because once society discovered a living could be made, everyone jumped on the bandwagon. As such, the landscape has become extremely competitive and it’s been hard to stay individualistic.

The fear of not being good enough continued to creep in. Months continued to pass by with content on my hard drive, but no WordPress draft in sight. I continued to ask myself “where would would the blog be now if I had stuck with it from the start?” I still kick myself to this day.

The gist of all of this is: I was going in circles trying to find the answer to my inspiration, but the answer was always within, as cheesy as it sounds. One word: PASSION!

I didn’t invest time and money in starting this up to make money. I started this thang because it’s something I truly enjoy, as a hobby. So, I am going to keep doing the damn thang!

I made a promise to myself to never overthink the content I put out (44 revisions later on this post). What I hope is you, my reader, can find value in it one way or another.

One day, maybe I’ll turn my passion project into a full-time job. Until then, I’m a Senior Fashion Recruiter with a side hustle. Watch out 2020.  

Pictured here: 

Photos 1-8: Veranda Restaurant at the Faena Hotel  

Photos 9-14: Wynwood Walls 

Photos 15-17: Swan in Design District 

Photos 18-20: South Beach