From Writer To Designer

Ever since writing my first story in kindergarten, with the help of my sixth grade buddy, being a writer was my dream. I didn’t always have the time or energy to fully embrace it, putting this dream on the back burner and frantically scribbling down ideas when I had a few moments to spare.

I bought into the myth and esteem being a writer might give me. Spoiler alert: don’t tie your whole identity and self worth into your job or profession. This was a dream I never thought would change but eventually did. Keep reading to learn more about how my dream changed from writer to designer.

Writing As Thinking

It’s very easy to track what stage of my life I’m in by the types of writing I produced. I also remember having the mindset of being a know-it-all in my early 20s which is always hilarious in hindsight.

In high school, I was yearning for the independence and freedom of college. All of my writing projects reflected the need for me to spread my wings and experience life. I resonated very deeply with the line from Moulin Rouge, “Some day I’ll fly away.” 

While job hunting, I wrote a novel to have some semblance of creative control when I felt like all doors were shut to me. It was nice to have a big writing project that I could work on daily and see my progress unlike job searching where ghosting is the norm.

In my poetry class, I wrote about the history and struggles my husband’s family went through and the ramifications of that struggle today. Our families are very different and this was my way of trying to connect and make sense of family stories and dynamics I wasn’t familiar with.

It helped me process things that happened to me and my loved ones.  For me, writing was a type of therapy. It helped me think, process, and work through difficult times and painful decisions. Actual therapy might have helped too. 

Hobby To Career 

I thought writing could be a hobby I pursued while working a boring but stable 9-5. So while I plugging away at my full time job I kept writing and learning.

My inspiration would often ebb and flow. Sometimes I worried about getting stuck in the relative comfort and ease of working full time instead of pursuing my passions.

Writing As Escapism 

After a few years working my full time job, I entertained the idea of getting a creative writing MFA. It was the perfect plan.

I would apply to low residency MFA creative writing programs (meaning you could keep working a job while earning your degree) with more relaxed application requirements, write when I wasn’t working and still get a degree. 

As a perpetual student, the idea of constantly learning and going back into the academia bubble was very appealing. This was why I was interested in going to grad school right after I graduated college. I didn’t want to face the job market because I knew how difficult it would be to find something I enjoyed doing for work that didn’t bore me. 

Every day I looked up low residency programs from my work computer, added them to my list and dreamed about being a “real writer” while visiting different locations from Portland to Vermont. 

The problem, as always, was limited funds and time. I couldn’t do a MFA program while buying a house, planning a wedding and trying to find another job. My past self was very busy. I had to prioritize what I wanted and needed the most in the moment. 

Dreams Evolve 

There’s tons of different ways to make a career out of writing from ghostwriting, copywriting and more. I was focused on fiction writing since that was my favorite to read and write. 

I tried freelancing a few different times but it never really worked out. With hindsight, my heart really wasn’t interested in writing blogs and articles about things I didn’t care about.

Dreams Have Deadlines 

While writing in my spare time, I wanted to learn something new. Hello those perpetual student and neurodivergent vibes again! I was ready to try out one of those creative hobbies that seemed out of reach but are actually totally attainable.

This led me to learn more about design, a field I was perpetually dazzled by but didn’t think I could ever hold my own in. I found a design Meetup group one day and turned my why into why not and went for it. With my first website already live, I wanted to learn more which started my web designer journey. 

Eventually writing took a back seat to web design and I started a business, Redesignia. But all that writing experience still comes in handy for writing website copy, social media captions and blog posts. Maybe I’ll return to my MFA dream one day but for now I feel like I’m on the right path. 

Let Your Dreams Evolve

It’s okay for your dreams to change and evolve. You aren’t the same person who wants the same things anymore! That’s not a bad thing. Similar to how you wouldn’t keep a shirt that’s too small because you’ve outgrown it.

I still love writing and reading whenever I can. It might just stay a hobby or I can revisit it. I’m giving myself that space and grace and I hope you do too.

Seeking Inspiration?

Are you ready to learn how to create a killer mood board for your brand with me for free? The workshop will be interactive and live, building mood boards in real time, so don’t worry about your eyes glazing over.

Check out the Your Brand on Mood Boards page and sign up.