Isabella Raine

Since high school, I’ve hopped from one job to another. From being a spa attendant to working in childcare. I was passionate about many of them, and I left most of them because of my mental health. 

Whether it was because the job was having undesirable effects on my mental health, or because I burnt out and my mental health couldn’t continue to keep up with a job that required my attendance. Others were left due to moving-- Trying to escape my mental health…

I’ve known for years, I need to find a way to work for myself. My mental health can be demanding, and my stability can feel unpredictable. My life needs flexibility and ease. This is why I started a blog.

In gearing up to start my blog, I noticed I haven’t seen many, if any, Gen-Z bloggers. I realized that blogging is just an older, or different way of doing what influencers do today on TikTok or other apps.. Influencers have turned the ways to make money from a blog and put it into a new, maybe simpler for some, medium. Influencers do a lot of content that is mostly videos and pictures, typically being of themselves. Which is great, but as I’m more of a writer, and totally camera shy, this is a struggle. 

This year I’ve committed to my writing and making that work into a career for myself. After reading many blogs, watching a handful of videos on blogging and affiliate marketing, and researching on Pinterest, I knew blogging would be what I’ve been searching for these last few years. I've thought about starting a blog for years, but am just now realizing how capable I am of making a successful blog, or how incredible and life changing it could be for me. 

I do plan on making content for each platform, but more as a funnel to my blog. The cool part about blogging and content creation is that I can choose to expand it, or not. 

Blogging will enable me to make a living working for myself at the hours of my choosing with room for my mental health to fluctuate and not lose my income. I can make a schedule, but not be binded by it. I'll also be able to take time for myself as passive income flows in. Although writing for a blog and everything that goes into it is a lot of work— I don’t believe most of it will be so emotionally and physically taxing that I can’t do any of it on a day where my mental health is lower.

Something that intrigues me about blogging and content creation is that my income is infinite. I can choose how much I do or don’t pour into it. Working more or less depending on the income I am reaching for. Maybe I’ll be content with the amount of money and traction I’m pulling with just Instagram, Pinterest and my website, or maybe I will want more and pour work into Twitch and TikTok.

Blogging is a chance to finally gain financial independence and become what I feel is a contributing citizen to society. As I struggle keeping a job for more than six months before needing something to change, this gives me hope to be in control of my life. Full time blogging means I can make an income to support myself, and potentially make enough to support the family that raised and cared for me when I know I’m not the easiest child, or sister to have. 

I want all of my family to be comfortable enough financially that they dont have to worry about whether buying some extra socks, or a pizza night out is in the budget. I want to find my own way to repay them for every ounce of support and guidance I was given. 

Another reason blogging appeals to me so much is that I’ve been wanting to prioritize traveling. As a childcare provider that works in a preschool, or with any job that I may have in this society, taking time off to travel is a burden. 

Both financially and for whoever you work with. Taking time off to travel for weeks at a time multiple times a year isn’t a luxury regular jobs have. 

Schools have more flexibility with summer being off, but it’s also the most expensive time to travel. Blogging can be done anytime from anywhere, and travel experiences can easily turn into new blog content themselves. 

Having a voice is important to me. I’ve gone through periods of time where I’ve been so choked up by my silence that it affected my life and wellbeing. Writing for a living can be a way of keeping my voice and positive influence that I started using in high school alive. Advocacy is incredibly important to me and when I’m not actively engaging in advocacy, I feel it missing. 

All around, I have a special place in my heart for writing and being able to look back on thoughts, feelings and experiences. 

Here’s the life I dream of:
I dream of a spacious apartment in the city. 
Big windows, funky furniture with splashes of colors and white fluffy bed sheets. 

My average day is spent skating, writing, and socializing. 

I live alone, or with someone who makes me feel happy and secure. 

I spend a few months of the year traveling. Exploring the world, meeting internet friends, going to concerts, or finding the best skate spots around the country. 

Making enough money to share and spend on my family. 

All in all, I want to live a comfortable life that I make for myself. I’ve always struggled with feeling capable of being a functioning member of society, and I really want to accomplish that. I want to feel capable and contributive; I want to exist with mental illness and still feel like I am a successful person in my career and desires. 

Blogging gives me the opportunity to do that.