WIW: Why I Write
Creative people struggle to make their voices heard. They constantly fight societal norms as well as their inner belief to shine. Today we celebrate them.
I write because I love to share my story and perspective. I’m not someone that concerns myself too much with the audience. I don’t write because I primarily want an income. It started as a hobby and it has brought wealth as well as experience and contacts.
I write because I have a passion.
I write because I want to have a say.
I like that what I write has not been twisted by anyone else. It’s my words and my opinions.
For that reason, this blog started. It’s a way for me to dump my emotions onto an online script and refer back to them when I am down or having a lacklustre writing day.
I started writing in a more formal sense than just school when I was 6 or 7. I used to write wedding poems for my cousins. I stood up on stage and I recited them in front of hundreds of strangers. I didn’t know at that point that I’d want to be part of this class of creatives.
From where I’m standing, creatives have a crucial role to play — influencing the digital and millennial spheres in order to foster a better society for our future.
Today I present to you ten creatives. Creative in different ways. They do a range of things to make an impact on their world. Some are more ‘successful’ than others. But success doesn’t matter here. I see it as one big community, where the prize is to witness one and other grow to full potential.
I think it’s crucial to celebrate everyone’s success. I’m not jealous of anyone I’m mentioning nor anyone who is like these people too. I think we all have our time to shine and if you’re working hard enough, have the passion and motivation then you’ll reach the top of your respective field.
Let’s start this then…
PS: all (@’s) are the Instagram handles for each individual.
Livia van Heerde (@liviavanh) is a vegan and fair fashion blogger. She advocates for fair fashion and sustainable living. Having spoke to and given the chance I had to pick her brains once, I can say that her work is crucial for anyone concerned about their ecological footprint. Livia works with brands to bring the latest in fair fashion to her audience. She also shares her tips on eating vegan, so you can find out how to begin. She’s an influencer in the present with over 13,000 Instagram followers and will be for the future.
Check her out here: https://www.instagram.com/liviavanh/ AND liviavanheerde.com
Derin Adetosoye (@beautybyderin) is a beauty and fashion YouTuber who I have known for the best part of 13 years or so. I grew up alongside her brother and I’ve never been more proud to know someone from such a young age. We grew up in the same town as Tinie Tempah and it’s looking like her impact on society will be equally as brilliant. She has over 23,000 YouTube subscribers and has worked with the BBC on a educational series of videos in the past. Someone who has definitely motivated me to improve. There seems no limit to her progression. Most evident was her decision to start her undergraduate degree at the London College of Fashion, a dream degree for someone already creating her own space for content and innovation.
Check her out here: https://www.instagram.com/beautybyderin/ AND https://www.youtube.com/user/beautybyderin
Inaz Ismail (@poutnplay) started her beauty and make-up Instagram last July. Inaz and I have been friends since the start of university at QMUL. When she told me that she was starting, I couldn’t be more over the moon. She took initiative and she hasn’t looked back. Whenever I’m with a friend that mentions make-up or beauty or something I have no cognition about, I always promote Inaz’s page. She has had encouragement from relevant beauty professionals in the field and her elation is infectious. She has recently switched into cruelty-free makeup which will hopefully help to end the fight against animal cruelty for make-up production.
Check her out here: https://www.instagram.com/poutnplay/
Omar Parreira (@escudoclub) is someone who I don’t understand can be so diversified so young. He has started a clothing line called Escudo. He has also made solo albums and has more projects. It’s always interetsing to chat to someone so constantly driven. He studies Geography with me at QMUL and also has an associate research position at Kings College London. His field of interest may be different to mine but I always draw parallels. I believe both his clothing line and his music will be available from Summer 2018. One to look out for the future and a model for the slogan ‘better never stops’.
Check out his work here: https://www.instagram.com/escudoclothing/ AND escudo.club
Maximilian Clemens Isak (@maximilianisak) is a photographer. It’s a pure hobby but he’s very good at it. The crisp shot and clean image that he can produce shows real talent. If you want to see more of his work, he often photographs Livia for her Instagram pictures. I have only met Max once but I love looking at the pictures he uploads and shows initiative once again whilst studying Business Management at QMUL.
Keri Heuer (@abroadeninghorizons) is a study abroad student from Rhode Island. She’s been on the blog before but she’s worth a mention again. She’s taken the initiative I took on study abroad. (Study) abroad. Emphasis on the travelling has made her blog stand out. She writes long form posts with detailed instructions and advice. If you want a foreigner’s perspective of Continental Europe, her blog will be your best bet. As well as being a lovely person who has taken pictures for me before — her Instagram provides short snippets of her adventures. Keri is someone that wants to document her life and share it with the world.
Check her out here: https://www.instagram.com/abroadeninghorizons/ AND https://www.abroadeninghorizons.com/home/
Brontee Bishop (@bronteebishop) is a student with me on QMUL Geography. I’ve known her from the start of it all. She writes occasionally on her blog. She tells me that she sometimes finds it hard to write because it gets repetitive. She also says that she doesn’t want to write something that people will not enjoy. After I shared my outlook on the argument, she wrote some more and writes now when she gets the time. A smaller blogger who needs equal amounts of support is not more.
Check her out here: https://www.instagram.com/bronteebishop/ AND https://bronteebishop.wixsite.com/blog/single-post/2018/02/19/Center-Parcs
Onyx Visuals (@onyxvisuals) is a new company set up by my friend Jake Welland and his friend. They upload other people’s pictures (with credits) and show their own original images. Jake has always been a creative, he works in a creative industry right now. His company will be taking on clients soon, so now is the perfect time to celebrate his success of getting this far and wish him the best of luck for the future.
Check out their work here: https://www.instagram.com/onyxvisuals/
Sukhdeep Pander (@sukhcess) has been a friend from secondary school. I had the chance to catch up with him before I left for study abroad and he was full of stories. I chose him for this list because he performs magic. Not as much on his Instagram as he used to but he once posted a picture a day on Instagram and most were card tricks. He’s a creative genius in this field. I have watched him in the past and it’s truly mesmerising.
Check him out here: https://www.instagram.com/sukhcess/
One honourable mention (with no picture) is the Bag of Lz YouTube channel. I know one of the boys in the group, Sam, we went to sixth form together. The channel is culturally-targeted but there is some relevant information on there for life as a millennial. Some of which I have adopted.
Check them out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXiBuLGnLJR23tCtOkHjIg
That’s it folks.
I hope you support these creatives as much as I try to do.
The world will be a happier place if we all chip in.
This is why I write.
To be part of this community.
Here’s to the future.