2020 & finding my voice

hey friends. if you’re reading this it’s too late. just kidding (but insert “drake approves” meme here). if you’re reading this, we made it, baby. 2020 is finished! move out of the way banana bread, your moment is over. it’s officially our time to shine.

if you are a loyal reader of mine (just pretend like you are for ego purposes), you may notice that this piece is different from my previous content. i am writing with more ~style~. as i have recently learned, for all you non-writers, this is called your voice. turns out, i’m much less formal than i realized - sorry, mom. i write with a sprinkle of bad language, a pinch of humor, and a gallon of sass (yes, that was intended to make you hungry. you can return to your banana bread after you finish reading this, karen).

continuing on, 2020 has been a whirlwind for me. i missed my college graduation, lost a loved one, and spent a whole lot of time moving between my couch, kitchen table, and bed. for as much as we’ve all lost this year, i want to touch on something i have gained (i promise, this isn’t a toxic positivity moment). in december, i was lucky enough to find a random linkedin group for future copywriters. i almost didn’t attend the virtual meeting, afraid of being too inexperienced, young, or awkward. well, thank goodness i did. this group quite literally shifted my perspective with regard to my career in advertising. it was here that i met my now mentor (shoutout, rami) who has been nothing but supportive throughout my last few weeks of interviews with agencies. i was also introduced to an incredible community of copywriters currently in the industry. every day for the past month, i’ve spoken with at least two copywriters. they have provided me with resources, insight, and above all, inspiration. i have since joined #adtwitter, reviewed hundreds of established portfolios, and listened to advertising podcasts galore. i can candidly admit i have never felt more passionate about entering the advertising space.

a common takeaway from my conversations has been the idea of “voice.” while as a copywriter, this means the distinct personality that emanates through your words, voice as a broader concept can apply to anyone. i think your voice is just you (profound, i know). what makes you different? what specific experiences can you draw on that impact the way you approach interactions with others? why does your story matter, and how can we, as outsiders, relate to it? because that’s just it, people strive for connection. if 2020 has taught us anything, it is that connection cannot be taken away from us. connection supercedes disease, disaster, and distance (ily, zoom). although i remain six feet from friends, family, and colleagues, i feel closer to them than ever.

i guess what i’m trying to convey to you, is that i, like many others, am beginning to discover my voice. i feel seen, heard, and appreciated by others, and i am learning how to imbue these feelings into my writing. i want to emphasize that you don’t need to be a current or aspiring writer to start finding your voice. your voice is what you learned about yourself in quarantine. your voice is the empathy you have found for others. your voice is the experience of these last nine-plus months that has shifted your worldview. your voice is the slight whisper in the back of your head urging you to attend a random linkedin group. however your voice comes through - whether that is as a writer, comedian, activist, or simply, as a human being - embrace it. allow it. champion it. let’s move into the new year emphasizing difference, authenticity, and the power of our story.