Hi. Social Media, speaking into the void, & podcast update

Social media and speaking into the void…

It’s been tricky figuring out what I’d like to say here on my blog. Well, maybe more like having the courage to say what I’d actually like to say, how I’d like to say it. I’ve been so burdened by what I feel like I SHOULD post or talk about, how long it should be or whatever, that I’ve been absolutely paralyzed into saying nothing at all.

I’ve been trying to warm up to get acquainted with the internet void and my voice echoing in this little piece of the interwebs. It’s strange to balance between being open and being private, and honestly I’ve never been great at measuring that out. I’m getting better though! Maybe? Well, it’s a practice and work in progress. Time to not be such an online recluse. You’ll probably see more long form blogs like this one, because this feels most natural to me.

As far as social media, you’ll see I have an instagram and an X account (@mariah_herself). (I have a Pinterest too but honestly that’s just me doing shit for myself and there’s no business affiliation. I had the moniker Mariah Herself before the business came to be, so that’s that. I mean, if you want to follow me, sure. Just don’t give me any side eye if I pin a DIY or recipe you think is weird or some Pokemon images or like a picture of a tree, squirrel, or otter or something. But actually, if you think Pokemon, trees, squirrels, or otters are lame then maybe I would give you a side eye… so you do you, Pikachu) Anyways, yeah. Haven’t really decided how the hell to proceed with a social media presence… so whatever you find on X or Insta definitely won’t readily be curated and cool or relevant to this business endeavor. (Instagram lore: my instagram used to be from when I did hair and makeup, so the pictures remaining are whatever I posted in between hair and people photos. And my X is relatively new and undeveloped.) Sorry if that’s a bummer. I know how much I enjoy some of the instagram accounts I follow, and the fun and interesting posts they generously create and share for free. I’m curious and open to hearing what people are getting and hoping for from social media - so if you want to share your thoughts feel free to message me.

Podcast update…

I started Esoteric salon podcast and encountered problems, such as losing my voice. This delayed my recordings and made episode 3 the last one for a while. I almost didn’t even post episode 3 because it was hard as hell to make and the recording got all sorts of messed up, but then two days later it was somehow fine so I said F it and launched it. (Thank you to everyone who listened and messaged me, I truly appreciate your comments and encouragement.)

I started the podcast with the intention of facing a giant fear of mine: speaking and sharing my voice and perspective. For some reason, speaking into a microphone for a recording was a million times more terrifying than standing up in front of an audience. My school age theater kid years kind of inoculated me into a level of familiarity with a stage and live audience - but to speak into a microphone with no clear audience and no idea how they are taking it?? Scary shit, man.

I had hoped to record something that felt warm and inspiring and nourishing. I didn’t want to waste anybody’s time and definitely didn’t want to monetize with any ads, which is why you can’t find the podcast on Apple or Spotify anymore. I just wanted to share good stuff for the hell of it. Something real and interesting. Generosity, ya know? I wanted to play and have fun with it. And I did. I found different realms of myself, and realized how high pitch I usually talk in my day to day life. (Like, what? My voice is actually deeper and softer if I just fricken relax haha still getting to know this new voice register) So anyways, sharing my voice was a vulnerable act of courage for me, and I’m grateful for the warm and encouraging response I received. That really was a gift to me. Podcasting isn’t off the table, but it does take time to make those episodes and my energy is focused on other projects for now. For the time being, you can still find the 3 episodes on YouTube, just search for Esoteric Salon.

Alrighty, well don’t make yourself a stranger. Comment or email or say hi to me at the coffee shop.

PS: I got to pet a dog today.

-Mariah Herself