Why I decided to launch a personal “newsletter” via blogging.

I am not going to lie. I have a toxic relationship with social media–particularly with Instagram. While I love staying connected with people that I normally cannot (due to physical distance or our busy schedules), I hate that our relationships have gone “superficial” by sharing glimpses of our lives that we know are not perfect but instead, they’re carefully and intentionally curated. In simpler words, yes… much of it is so “fake.”

From end of March to the first week of April, I was less active on social media. I was sick and had a hectic week. From actively applying to new jobs to going to orchestra rehearsals after work–I was on full “Do Not Disturb” mode. During that period, some of my friends reached out to me but I could not respond (at all). Then came the feeling of guilt. I wish I could update them but I was so caught up on various things that by the time that I had opened the messages, I didn’t know where to begin or what to say. It really is a spiral: the need to take a break on social media but becoming so ingrained in our lives.

I thought about deactivating my Instagram account multiple times but the final verdict was always: just ignore what people post and only interact with the people you like. Because at the end of the day, I still enjoy sending funny reels/memes to my friends or seeing little bits of their lives through the stuff that they share. Or the guilty-pleasure activity of checking out people’s profiles that I know I shouldn’t (I can’t help it…I’m nosey!). Unfortunately, even if I try to limit the usage, Instagram slaps me in the face by randomly showing ads for things that I know I don’t need (RIP credit card) or it automatically scrolls through people’s stories (including the ones that I desperately tried to ignore).

My alternative idea was to send monthly newsletters (printed format) to my close friends, but it would cost me more with printing and mailing fees (no thank you!). Then I considered sending newsletters via email (like MailChimp)–but, with online services transforming to monthly-subscription base, making a new account and signing up for a plan were not ideal.

Then I remembered my old, forgotten website, “Interviewing the Ordinaries.” If you went to college with me, you may have been a victim of my blogging era. I used to go around the campus and interview people for fun (I guess I was doing my own Humans of New York thingy). Why even bother making a new account on new services when I can revamp and repurpose the website? I call it “tech-sustainable.”

I miss the days when people shared things online to genuinely connect with people or to archive their own life memories. I know, I know. Blogging is such an early 2000’s thing, but I think it’s worth a shot. Remember Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman)? She’s the OG blogger who shared her ranch life from Pawhuska, Oklahoma who later got her own FoodNetwork show and now she has her own brand at Walmart. I’m not trying to be like her, but it shows how blogging can be a good outreach method.

So, I will be updating my life through the website. I cannot make promises but I will try to post once a month. Whether you like it or not, I kinda don’t care. I will occasionally share some fun things on Instagram but if you want to know what I’m really up to, here it is–make sure to subscribe (just kidding). After all, I am fun eunice!

Cheers,

Oh also, really random. I wonder how the burrito from Shrek 2 tastes like. Remember that scene?

Employee: “Well hi there! Welcome to Friar’s Fat Boy. May I take your order?”

Fairy Godmother: “My diet is ruined! I hope you’re happy.”