Field Notes from an Editor-in-Chief

In August I published the second issue of my magazine, Continental Social. A year before, I opened a call for submissions, curated said submissions, designed and edited the layout, as well as contributed written work, and finally, hosted a release party complete with local vendors selling handmade products such as pottery and vintage clothing.

I got many congratulations, some praising me for creating in a “dying” medium (if anything I think the younger generations yearn for physicality), while others were just amazed that I accomplished what I set out to do. In an age of digitization, physical craft feels so special. And even more, in an era of short attention spans, the ability to accomplish a goal can seem so daunting.

But I never let myself feel that sense of achievement. It wasn’t until the release party was over, the vendors were gone, I was packing up, and only my closest friends remained huddling around me, yelling “Can someone take our picture?” that I realized I never stopped to soak it in. I never gave myself my flowers. Most of the year I actually felt stressed out that I wasn’t doing enough, like I was chasing a goal on a hamster wheel.

At dinner that night my friends took turns guessing how much money I had made from the release party while someone gave a drumroll for the big reveal. It was then that I realized, in order to become the person I wanted to be, I had to stop selling myself short. I had to stop letting imposter syndrome rule over me.

This blog is meant to do that. To be a guiding light on how to let myself- and you, accept success. Here you can find topics on creativity, identity, and advice on how to juggle it all in your 20s when work, education, relationships, and hobbies all want to take precedence. As all creative entrepreneurs know, there’s a way to curate with ease no matter the boundaries set around you. You just have to dig a little deeper to find what works.

As someone who’s accomplished a great deal on my own, I want this blog to be for those who feel less than in their creative endeavors, who wonder how it’s possible to tackle it all when you’re just getting started, or if you’re just starting over. I plan to discuss navigating burnout, finding creative outlets with minimal resources, and self help tasks to bring you positive approaches to managing it all.

Here’s to making your highest self achievable.