Just yesterday, I wrote this. I will admit that I had pretty much started to give up, play that voice in my head of it’s not a big deal. My husband worried that I would draw negative feedback from “the industry”, asked if I had gotten any push back, if I had started to feel the impact of my actions – which was merely speaking out in frustration of a reality that affects so many of us in so many different ways but to a similar result.
I felt like a whiner. I felt lazy. (Do you know how many people are out there filming their own videos and have a gazillion YouTube followers and can rock the hell out of GoPro without breaking a sweat? A LOT. I suck at making my own videos…something about traveling with kids makes it so much harder for some reason. Go figure.)
Then I got the emails…which read a lot like the comments. Not only on the blog…but on my Facebook page…from strangers. And this, from one of my closest friends:
And as I pondered my next move, I came across this:
And it brought me back to what I wrote about here and I realized, as I often do after I throw myself a pity party, that it’s time to get to work. For people like me, for people like Lyin Landre and her project on Kickstarter (whom I will absolutely pledge my support for and you should too) and for the very many of us who have this massive hill to climb and humongous wall of stereotypes to break through.
My friend Kat said it best in her response to my post:
“I think all we can do is to keep fighting and to keep supporting fellow women in the business. And even more than fighting, there’s an attitude shift that has to happen.”
So, thank you for listening to my whining, and for wiping away my virtual tears. Sometimes, all we need is a good emotional cry. And I’m sorry for the misleading title. I don’t actually have the answer. But I do know that it’s time for me to get up, dust myself off, and charge forward.
Watch out world. Here I come.
[subscribe2]
Carolina
But you did provide the answer—to keep going forward. If there’s anyone that can change the game, it’s you Carol!
caincarol
CarolinaThank you Carolina! It's always such a encouraging thing to read how much you all believe in me, even when I don't so much in myself — if only for a moment : ))
Barbara
You are very real, friend – and you share – so we see many sides of you, but like Issa – I know you can and will do the things you really want to do because you are passionate, talented and persistent :). Sometimes what we want changes – and I love that you can also share that part of life and not be afraid to question aloud. You have a great voice – and no one will ever silence it as long as you want to use it. Have a peaceful weekend!
-B
caincarol
BarbaraThank you so much Barbara! xoxo
Gina M
Oooh! Shits about to get REAL! *Love it*!
caincarol
Gina MHell yeahs it is!
Nnennaya
Now that’s the spirit!!! Am a Nigeiran following you all the way from Nigeira! Now what does that say to you???? You have a VOICE that people listen to all over the world…even Africa! So please keep inspiring people like us who still have a ‘long way to go’ in building the travel/tourism industry in Africa. It’s your inspiration to stand out that inspires us! So GO CAROL!!;)
caincarol
NnennayaThank you so much Nnennaya! Your support means so much!
Maile
You can and are doing this! Continue to be You and speak Truth. We're listening and so many others should be!
caincarol
Mailexoxoxoxoxox Thank you!