First Post

Hey Y’all.

Exciting stuff, my first blog post.

I wanted to take this first post as a more in depth explanation as to why I am doing this and some of the things you can expect from it.

Ill start from the beginning. Social media has always played a part in my life in some capacity. I have always been a shy, introverted person. My mom has talked about how when I was young, I would often want to play by myself. I have always had this pull to be independent. I don’t know if this is just a feature that is hardwired into me, or if I learned it from somewhere. But it has always felt integral to me.

Due to this, there was a natural shift into digital spaces for me. A place where I could just browse art and topics I was interested in. And find people who shared those interests. Youtube was my first introduction to the online sphere. That turned into Youtubers promoting their socials, and from that point on I was pretty much on everything.

I have come to understand that my social media usage throughout the years has fundamentally shaped me and who I am. It was such a staple in my life. I had online friends who understood me when it felt like no one did in my real life. I turned to these spaces when my mental health was at its worst, because I felt I had no where to go to but there. It was all encompassing to me.

I’m not sure when this all shifted, but there came a point I stopped using socials as much. I left an online friend group because I realized just how awful that space was. They were a group of chronically online people and artists. This group demolished my mental health. I cite my time with them as being the lowest I have ever felt. I didn’t like the person who I was with them. One day I realized this, and just left.

It’s been a few years since then. And online spaces have changed drastically. I found I was spending more time on them, but getting less out of the experience. Tik tok was the catalyst for this change. That platform was nothing but a giant ad. Mixed in with doom posting and other brain rot, it was eating away at me. Leading to a pretty tough bout of self inflicted doom/depression.

This frustration is what led me to where I am now.

My goal with this blog is to be more intentional with my internet usage. I liked the idea of a website/blog because I can still post and talk about things that are important to me, but not have all the noise that comes with using social media. I can still see news and keep myself informed, but I just am more purposeful about it.

I also like the idea of sharing this with folks if they ever ask about social media accounts. That way they can still get a peak into my life. I will be posting art I make and well as photos from any new ventures I have.

In terms of my writing, I am gonna use the blog for whatever I want :). Topics I am interested in, life in general, travel posts, I mean really whatever. Please note this is not a blog with a niche or theme. It is solely a personal outlet.

I am really excited for this change. It feels like a new start.

-Erin