It wasn't time I carved out or took off, it was time I was forced to take for recovering from knee surgery. But I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it: finally build my own website.
I’ve been toying with the idea of starting my own studio for years. And ever since I quit social media seven months ago, the urge to create a space of my own - to share my creative work on my own terms - has only grown stronger. I don’t want to go back to posting under the reign of algorithms. I want to share what I want, when I want, at my own pace. No pressure for followers, no chasing likes.
Over the past three weeks, I’ve built the entire concept from scratch - shaping a studio vibe instead of a webshop. I wrote all the texts, edited all the images, designed the site, created new analogue work, photographed and retouched it, post-processed all digital work for print on demand, opened an little Etsy shop, created and posted a static IG puzzle feed, launched a blog, designed a digital zine, made digital invite for the launch… and finally hit publish.
It was a lot. A huge amount of work - challenging, inspiring, but so much fun. I’m genuinely happy with how it turned out. I’m excited to share new projects, to upload new work, post new blogs… but then the question hits me: share it with who?
Last weekend, I quietly sent out a few invitations. Some emails to old followers, a few messages to some friends. And for the first time during the whole process, I felt that knot in my stomach. A bit anxious even.
Where I used to post under various brand names or alter egos, this time it feels totally different. More personal somehow. I catch myself scrolling again, checking notifications, following accounts just to be followed back - old habits I cut off seven months ago. And now? Here I am again, leg still elevated, wondering what the hell I’m doing. I started this studio to share my analogue, digital and lyrical work - and to stay far away from social media.
But only a few days in, I already feel that creeping pull of the virtual twilight zone I tried to escape. And I'm not diving back in. So I'm sticking to the plan: my instagram feed will only be a window display. The real playground is my website - the space where I want to create, connect and share. Maybe traffic will grow in time. Maybe it will only be for a select few. But I'm not measuring in likes or followers. I'm just keeping it real. So if you’re looking for me—I’m here. And definitely not there. ✌️
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Like!! Very mucho