On Jan. 2nd, 2018, I woke up with a familiar shiver in my spine; remembering what it felt like to wake up every Jan 2nd in years prior.
I’d get up, get ready for work, decide which coat to wear based on how much colder it would feel now that the holidays were over. My only reprieve was remembering that we’d have a 3-day holiday in the States during the middle of Jan thanks to Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
This Jan. 2nd, I woke up with that same feeling. I went to brush my teeth and then thought wait…while my mind was playing back the familiar memories of deciding whether to wear my maroon wool coat or black puffer, I wasn’t going to need either today because I was in Hong Kong! It was 64 degrees F/18 degrees C. Also, I wasn’t preparing to go to an office, but to take a friend to get coffee before she and her husband headed back to the States, and then I’d start working from home at my new desk.
So many changes.
This new year for me, is a big white space riddled with grey unknowns. While unknowns and change are a part of everyone’s equations, I’ve had some significant changes that were kicked off in the last quarter of 2017. I’m so curious about how they’ll unfold.
When I first started ifstyledanced, I wanted it to be focused on my perspective of fashion and style. As the first year went by, I had more and more thoughts on where I wanted to take it, but was finding it difficult to find time to commit to it like a proper career.
I was excited to quit my job to finally pursue it full-time and to see what else I could build. However, pregnancy decided to add itself to the chaos.
I know I can’t control when I’ll start feeling like Hong Kong is home, and my pregnancy will unfold as it’s meant to. But I can control what I choose to pursue with my new “career” path and am so fortunate to have this opportunity. I no longer have an excuse to hold back.
So now, in 2018, I’ve decided to close my eyes and run. I’m ready for ifstyledanced to expand and see what else it could be. So, instead of creating new years resolutions for myself, I’m going to set a few high-level goals for ifstyledanced. Goals always evolve so we’ll see which ones I actually adhere to, but please feel free to keep me honest!
1. Keep writing! I’m definitely not a writer, but feel that as a blogger, writing my thoughts on fashion and style, and all of the above is something that I should get used to, even if it’s just to get ideas out there.
2. Talk on video. I hate the sound of my voice or even watching myself talk. I recorded my very first rewearability video with a good friend and I couldn’t help but cringe every time I played it back. But it’s time to bite the bullet and see how it goes. Let’s see how long I procrastinate with this one.
3. Expand on rewearability. I’ve had a great time creating the rewearability videos and am so happy that some of you find them useful too! Now it’s time to take them to the next level. What does that mean? You tell me! Kits of clothing that you could rewear? How to rewear clothing that you’re sick of by tailoring them? I’m happy to play with your suggestions so please let me know.
4. Network. Since moving, I’ve started learning about the influencer market, or KOLs as they’re called on this side of the world (Key Opinion Leaders) and am finding it to be very different than what I was familiar with in New York. It took me close to a year to start creating my network in New York so I’m hoping I find something here sooner. But I just need to be patient and try. I’m also hoping these new networks will bring other opportunities. Whether they’re projects, or internships, I have nothing to lose by trying as long it’s inline with my vision.
5. Create a mission statement. I just mentioned “my vision” above, but the reality is that I don’t know what it is yet. When I first started ifstyledanced, I didn’t consider creating one because I was just “playing around”. But now that I’m pushing it further, another good friend encouraged me just to get words on paper. Everything will evolve, but somehow putting something on paper helps confirm whether you truly feel that way.
While I’ve listed these high-level goals from 1-5, they’re really not in a particular order. I’ll just have to play around with each one and see how they grow.
Also, I have to say that none of this would be possible without the support of my friends and family. From photography, to editing, to providing all kinds of advice, and just for being there; I’ll never be able to thank you enough.
This is no longer a set of side-gigs but my new full time. Let’s see what happens next. Happy New Year!
Blog edited by: Betty Ho