Jennifer Silverman. Submitted
If you happen to peruse my column on the regular, you may recall that I’ve been constructing a blog for many, many months. Perhaps some folks could launch a blog according to a far more expeditious timeline, but I had my reasons for the dilly-dally. For one thing, I wanted to do my due diligence, which required trademark applications, software subscriptions, SEO 101 and a photo shoot, among other tasks. Also, I was satiating my perfectionist tendencies by striving for admittedly unattainable perfection. Lastly, since I’m not fooling anybody, I confess I was working up the courage to finally press the “publish” button.
I am truly indebted to News Leader editor Tracy Dishman for not only encouraging me to build a blog but also for suggesting that I do so in the first place. When Tracy recommended blogging, I intuitively felt it was the next right move for me. Thus, I vowed to myself, our readers and to pretty much everyone I know that, without a doubt, I would finish my blog. (Hey, since I couldn’t trust myself to hold myself accountable, I figured spreading the news couldn’t hurt.)
With most of the learning curve now behind me, and a fabulous Boston Photography photo shoot under my belt, the only entity standing in my way was me. On that front, Barbara Corcoran’s book, “Shark Tales,” comes to mind. To paraphrase, perfectionism is the enemy of the entrepreneur. Many of us devote so much time to getting our ducks in a row. Those ducks age quickly, and it’s common to regret the veritable eons of time spent thinking rather than doing.
After dedicating such a long stretch to building my blog, eventually checking all the boxes, and even meeting my own exacting standards, I subsequently found myself extremely anxious about the prospect of sharing it with the world. Was I afraid of failure? Maybe, but I’ve failed before, and I’ll fail again. Was I afraid of rejection? Perhaps, but rejection is a fact of life. Was I afraid of cruel internet trolls? Yes. However, regardless of the remarks that mean people might hurl in my direction, I’ve certainly uttered far worse to myself, and I’ve learned along the way.
If you’re wondering if this article is simply another attempt at procrastination, it isn’t. I’m excited to report that www.curiouscolumnist.com is now indeed up and running. It’s colorful, it’s quirky, it’s uplifting, and it’s exactly what I envisioned. The site has only been floating around cyberspace for a few days and is still getting acquainted with Google via SEO. So, it looks like I’ll have some time to get acclimated to my new reality before both friendly onlookers and trolls descend.
I’d like to acknowledge the bonanza of readers who have graciously reached out to me to share their views and provide feedback on this column. Of course, it makes no sense to spin off a column that isn’t well-received. So, my sincere thanks to readers for embracing this column. I wouldn’t have taken this big scary step otherwise. I wholeheartedly hope you enjoy the blog.
Looking back at the emotions I’ve encountered during this undertaking, I’m reminded of the phrase “vulnerability is freedom.” Putting ourselves out there is a metaphorical bus ride straight to the unchartered streets of Vulnerability City. Once we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and face that fear, there is a feeling of freedom derived from the courage required to speak our truths and take a risk. Thus, I intend to enjoy the new freedom that’s suddenly at my disposal. Stay tuned.
Jennifer Silverman has served as a celebrity wardrobe stylist for hundreds of TV personalities and professional athletes. A few of her favorite projects include the Olympic Games, the Oscars and Inside Edition. Silverman and her Westie, Petunia, relocated from Manhattan to Amelia Island in 2019. Additional quirky commentary penned by Silverman is available by visiting www.CuriousColumnist.com. Email her at jennifer@CuriousColumnist.com.