Chapter 1: Why of all Things, a Blog?

Just in case the About section of this blog isn’t sufficient, here is a 3,500 word (maybe more!) blogpost on why I’ve decided to start blogging in this day and age of TikTok and Instagram. I typed out the words Pilot thinking it would be the perfect title -you know like in TV shows where the first episode is meant to be a testing ground to gauge whether a series will be successful. At the risk of messing with the Gods of SEO that is Search Engine Optimization, I’m sticking to the basics.

I know what you’re thinking though – Alyia Writes, how creative? Well, after the complete debacle of my first blog which I launched during the pandemic titled The Simple Everyday Woman, that I’ve now saved into a folder in the corner of my brain stamped Impulsive Decisions I’ve Made, I am still proud of myself for testing the waters; however that blog never stood a chance especially since two months post-launch, the Corporate Gods this time announced an aggressive return to office. There I was once again, caught up and completely occupied at my 9 to 5 job, most times 9 to 10, as a Communications Specialist. Hence, me thinks starting small and going with the basics this time is the way to go. I mean, what good are we if we choose to see our setbacks & failures as stumbling blocks, instead of stepping stones & opportunities towards growth and life lessons?

I recently, as recent as July this year, got married to the love of my life (we’ll refer to my husband, Eric, simply as E on this blog) who I met about five years ago. Between just stepping foot into the corporate world and finally being in what feels like a big girl relationship at the time, it’s safe to say that those who knew me from before most definitely do not know the person or woman I am today. They only know little parts of me from my past. I say parts of me because I am such a believer that we are creatures who evolve – our experiences, environment, failures shape and mould us to the point where it’s difficult to relate to the version of ourselves that we were say five, six years ago.

My relationship taught me (now marriage, is still teaching me) grace, compromise, patience, forgiveness, deep understanding, and especially the beauty of independence while still being co-dependent. My corporate career empowered me to be resilient, practical, logical, taught me time management and pushed me to explore the variety of self-care there is out there from yoga to meditation to even cooking. And the new friends I came across in the midst of all these taught me that we all have a place.

On a recent post by Ladies of Madison Avenue on Instagram which is slowly becoming one of my favourite accounts to follow (I love their style!), one of the said ladies in her sixties, was asked ‘Why do you love New York?’ in which she replied ‘Because we are all misfits’. I LOVED that and it best describes how I feel in this phase of my life, though I am in Kuala Lumpur. I’m a misfit, but a comfortable one because I’m finally with the same kind of misfits as I am, and the reason why I’m happy and content with life now is not because it’s all smooth sailing, trust me it’s far from that…but because I absolutely love this version of myself, and I know she’s finally, after much trial and error got her mid-to-late-twenties (somewhat) figured out. Now the coming two years and thirties will bring a whole new set of breakdown’s and existential crisis I’m sure, but that’s a story for another blogpost, years from now.

Here are some of my reasons for starting a blog in hopes you’re able to find a piece (or two!) to relate to, and at the same time better understand the face (and hands – I mean, it is alyia writes after all) behind this blog.

Sharing & Connecting With People Brings Me Joy

One of the things that I love is interacting with new people and figuring out what makes them tick. A lot of times we don’t view ourselves as interesting when the truth is we have so much to offer. It wasn’t until a few years ago when I started my journey of personal development that I took the step to actively listen to what others had to say, be it a friend, colleague during office chats at the pantry or even when chatting with spouses of my husband’s colleagues during dinner parties. I also gave myself the chance to express the things I loved. You see, emotional intelligence is not only about self awareness or self reflection,a big chunk of it is relationship management. After all, we’re not living in this world all alone. Not only was I able to gain clarity and understand what makes me ME, but I started building meaningful relationships around me. There really is truth and comfort in the saying ‘Sharing is caring’. In this age of social media, sharing is somehow equated with showing off, which is not at all the case. Only by sharing can we connect with others in a quest to find light-hearted and like-minded people.

I haven’t had the chance to talk about my recent experience travelling to Hanoi, Vietnam on the blog however I crossed paths with a young boy, just seventeen who gave me a tour of his beautiful city as part of a non-governmental tourism organisation (NGO) that I signed up for. In that eight hours that we spent together, I felt like I had known him from before. Perhaps in another life (metaphorically speaking), he could have been a friend or a brother, and I’m still touched and left with a lasting impression.

I am so big on energies and vibrations and over the last few years I’ve learned to trust my gut instincts and the vibrations I get around people – granted, first impressions can be inaccurate. I have come to believe that these vibrations can even be translated virtually, which is ultimately reason numero uno of starting this blog – to connect with other and find common ground. You’ll see me speak on fun topics like fashion, beauty, food and entertaining and touch on themes like divine feminine energy, mental wellness, and relationships. Now I’m no psychic and can’t tell the direction this blog will take me, and at the risk of sounding pessimistic – if the blog will even catch on. However, as long as you’re able to relate or at the very least smile or feel a joyful tingle whenever you read or view something I’ve shared, my job here is done.

Life is Too Short to Not Do What Makes You Happy

The seventeen year old me would be jumping and squealing in excitement knowing I’m finally starting a blog. You see, I’ve always been an avid blog follower whether its from the early days of Blogspot or Tumblr. I never had one but I’d always enjoyed reading what others had to say and the aesthetics they vibed with – because let’s face it, what even was Tumblr if not a platform for young emo teens to express themselves in a series of indie quotes?

Outside of technology, truth is I’ve never stopped writing in one way or another whether it was my dear, dumb diary – yes, that’s what we named her, that I carried along throughout primary school jotting down things I loved and the people I hated. Who knew I was already journaling even before it was a thing? Along the way, the diary switched into a Filofax of to-do-lists with occasional journal entries, but in the last few weeks that I’ve been blogging, I’m seventeen again, just much wiser this time!

As much as I love writing, I equally love reading. At some point, I traded fiction novels like The Splendour Falls by Rosemary Clement & The Keeper’s Daughter by Gill Arbuthnott with cult-favourite self-help books by Bruce D. Perry and even Steve Harvey’s Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man (guilty, as charged!). However, my love for magazines (both online & editorial) and blogs never faded and always accompanied me during lunch at my work-desk and hours caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic that is KL city.

Which concludes point deux of why I’m choosing to blog – is simply because I love it!

I am a Better Writer Than I am a Speaker

Before some of you jump in and try to knock me flat to my face out of my ‘so-called modesty’, I don’t mean it in the sense that I am a bad speaker. In fact, i hold pride in being a good speaker – I work in Communications & Public Relations for fish’s sake so it’s a given, added with a background in public speaking, debate, emceeing, moderating panel discussions and even Toastmaster’s. However, I find writing more fulfilling as the process itself allows you to gather and organise your thoughts. That way, not leaving much room for misinterpretation or leaving out important points. However, with speaking it’s easy to word vomit. Nothing disappoints me more then coming back after a fun dinner get-together only to overthink and hide in a pool of embarrassment that usually sounds something like “What the hell was I even saying?”, or “Why did I not bring up this point instead?”, or “That joke sounded funnier in my head than it did out loud.”

Ladies, you feel me?

I am a long-form content person true and true. I get how we’re living in this uptown girl, fast paced world and that bite-sized Apple advertisement and Instagram reels are the new norm. However, as much as i enjoy seeing content and getting tonnes of inspiration from my fellow millennials & gen z on Instagram, I will never be fulfilled by only posting photos with ‘three word captions’ and if I had it my way, there would be long descriptions that followed, and with this blog, I think I’ll be able to have it my way after all.

I mean, there’s so much to share and so many things to talk about. My POV is this – The same way there are people who still read magazines, there are still people who read blogs. And when social media moves too fast for you, I hope this blog is just the thing that slows life down for you.

I Have Other Dreams to Follow & Hopefully The Blog Can Be a Starting Point

Giving justice to my degree in International Business, I am starting this blog as a baby step towards bigger entrepreneurial dreams that will hopefully follow. What is that? That’s a secret I’ll never tell. XOXO, Gossip Girl.

Cringe. I know. Sorry.

Truth be told, I don’t even know what that is yet. I guess I don’t quite have my shit together, and that’s OK.

As I take this step to express myself to the world or at the very least, my six followers that I know for certain will be supporting me – my husband & family, I hope all of you will enjoy my sharings and musings. I look forward to connecting with each and every one of you and can’t wait to start chatting all things life.

xx, alyia