surprised i’m even getting this second issue to you lmao. i’ve been spending a solid 5-7 hours a week on this newsletter — but honestly, it’s been worth it.

anyways..

i’ve been in a bit of a slump these past couple of weeks. finals have been kicking my butt, and juggling that with everything else going on has just been a lot.

however, i’m glad to say that i feel much much better now. 

in the last issue, i mentioned i was traveling with a couple of friends to austin for this event called creator camp film festival, where a bunch of creators were given a budget to create films for the big screen. the festival was a chance to watch them all together in a real theater.

apart from that, it was just nice hanging out with my friends again.

we played volleyball, got dinner, and had many deep conversations with one another.

my soul just feels so filled after this trip.

takeaways:

• spending time with friends is cool

• i like spending time with friends

• friends are cool

ALSO I MADE A VLOG ABOUT THE AUSTIN TRIP

i haven’t posted in like three months on yt, so i’m trying to get back on track with that.

creator insights 🎥

how do you choose what to share on social media?

this is a hard question.

we connect over stories–and sharing raw, vulnerable moments online gives people something real to hold onto and feel seen by.

however, i never want to feel like i’m oversharing. and i definitely don’t want what i post to negatively affect my personal relationships, irl.

now, there’s a quote my friend told me recently:

“share your scars, not your wounds.”

now tulio…wtf does that even mean?

let’s define wounds as an ongoing struggle you’re facing and scars as a struggle you’ve faced in the past but have overcome.

sharing your wounds online can not only open yourself up to pain since you’re still in a vulnerable state but can also impact people in your life who are part of the story you are telling.

but when i share a scar, i’m doing it from a much healthier place. i’ve had time to reflect, learn, and heal from the event. not only will you be able to relate to your audience through the story you are sharing, but you will also be able to provide valuable insights to them as someone who has made it out to the other end.

the only time i would share wounds is when there’s a clear purpose, and the act of being vulnerable helps someone.

am i being vulnerable online for the sake of being vulnerable online, or does being vulnerable online and sharing my story as it is happening impact the viewer positively?

even then, the risk doesn’t disappear. but at least you know why you’re doing it.

i saw this video on my feed around an year ago that goes more in-depth into this topic. i think she offers a good framework from which to think.

from the garden 🌷

here’s what a few of you said you were looking forward to last week:

reading your responses made me feel like i’m not just yapping into the void lmao. here’s a question for next week: what’s something that surprised you (in a good way) this past week?

if you want your response featured on this newsletter’s next issue fill out this form!

community spotlight 💬

hey vaishnavi,

just don’t be afraid.

jk.

starting something new will always feel scary because, most times, we’re taking a step into the unknown.

if you’re also a perfectionist, it’s even harder. you might even get stuck in analysis paralysis, where you do all the prep work but never start because you want everything to be perfect (it never will be).

here’s what helped me.

procrastination:

take one tiny baby step toward what you want to start today. whether that is organizing your desk, downloading an app, or creating a new document, that first win builds momentum and makes it easier to tackle the harder stuff.

fear:

quick story.

around a month ago, i got invited to speak at a big event at my college. the president was gonna be there, professors, alums.

at that point, i had very little experience with public speaking.

right before going on stage, i remember being terrified.

what if i forget what to say? what are they going to think of me then?

i kept telling myself: “i can do hard things.”

so i went up there. i survived. and i was proud for doing it, afraid.

to be scared of doing something and choosing to do it anyway is what it means to be brave.

it was by no means a perfect performance, but it made future public speaking events a lot easier since i had the confidence of already having done it.

tools that have helped me:

• positive self-affirmations

• asking for strength from a higher power (if that’s part of your belief system)

• reframing nervousness as excitement

p.s. if you want your question featured in next week’s newsletter, fill out this form!!

YOOOOOOO

thank you again for reading this far. it’s been so fulfilling seeing all of your responses to this newsletter. if you have any feedback or thoughts, please feel free to reply to this email!

wishing you all the best,

tulio sasaya