Welcome To Chapter 7
January 1st brought in a new year and also 7 whole years of me being a blogger.
I'm in awe. I feel like a proud mama watching her baby grow up because in a sense... my blog IS my baby.
The best thing about being a blogger for so long is that I have grown up with it. I have been in full control of how I want it to look, I have refined my brand over and over again, I have grown to accept myself and all the things that make me a woman, a blogger, and everything in between.
To commemorate such a momentous milestone in my life, I literally sat and thought about doing a photoshoot -- alter ego style. I chose this alter ego style photoshoot because over the years, I've always struggled with how open do I want myself to be to my friends, family, my readers, fans of the blog?
As transparent as I am with my writing, the struggle of deciding how open I want to be has always been a bit of a crucifix. I always felt like I had to choose between being a business woman, keeping my ratchet side tucked away, not really being emotional on here, etc.
Then suddenly, it's like something spoke to me....
It was like "Kia... it's okay to show the different sides of you, that make you, YOU."
So then I had a bit of an existential crisis, spent a few weeks really pondering well.... who am I? It took a minute but I think this photoshoot conveys the perfect message I am trying to get across. I fully embrace who I am and what I'm about and I have solidified my many roles that have developed within me because of this blog.
Yes, I am a professional blogger but I am also a person who loves to have fun, who is emotional, who is an educator, a podcast host, a free spirit, a twerker -- I am all these things and then some. And I love it!
Without further ado, let's take a look at the pics from my shoot, shot by the amazingly talented Tye Moores a Chicago based photographer and brand manager. I love her work and have admired it from afar all throughout 2017-2018 and was ecstatic when the opportunity presented itself for us to work together. I literally wrote her name down in my journal for people I would like to work with and boom, it was manifested. Anyway, you can connect with Tye + see more of her work on her Instagram @Photyegrapher or her Twitter @TicTacTye
On to the pics!
Do yall remember when I first started blogging, and I went by Kween K? Remember Kween K interviews? While I don't go by Kween K anymore, Kween K still lives within me. I love this shot because Tye really captured the essence of who I was and who I am and who I am becoming. Kween K walked so Kia Smith Writes could fly. I am forever grateful for developing her as a character, getting what I needed from her, and being mature enough to let her go when I matured and changed the direction of my brand.
These two sets of pictures are hilarious to me, because if you know me, you know that I LOVEEEEEE to throw ass! I'm not necessarily a party girl but given my affiliations with the best DJ's and party/event curators in Chicago, when I pop out, it's bound to be great time lol. I love twerking, can't dance outside of doing that, but I enjoy myself nonetheless.
On the other hand, I am also your very unorthodox journalist. Ever since I got my introduction to it in 2009 through True Star Magazine, I have always believed that a journalist should have two things: Ideas out the ass and a notebook to write them all down in. I love storytelling and being authentic with people while telling them what they NEED to know.
I didn't promote it on my blog at all last year but the picture on the left represents my podcast that I launched called Beyond The Blog Podcast, recorded and engineered by longtime friend of me and my day 1 supporter DJ Hustlenomics. You can find the some of the episodes on Soundcloud. To be completely transparent, I am debating if I want to bring it back this year.
The picture on the right represents my spiritual side and tapping into different methods and practices I use to stay grounded. My best friend Arthur gifted me my first bundle of sage which is what I am burning in the picture. Over the past few months, I have developed the habit of burning my sage whenever my energy is low and I need to clear my mind from any type of negativity. I also use it when I am reciting affirmations and setting my intentions. Staying mindful of simply how the Universe works and navigating my reactions to it has been a great catalyst in my growth and I can't wait to grow even more in this area spiritually.
This picture pays homage to the role I play in education. Growing up, I never imagined that I would be working with children, but over the last couple of years I have been immersed as a non-traditional educator. Aside from my blog, nothing has grown me up and shown me patience more than teaching kids. Kids have this uncanny ability to put a mirror on you and force you to confront some of your deepest biases and challenge you to be a better person to set a better example. While I do not plan to stay in the field of education for long, I am excited to see where the journey will further take me.
Welcome To Chapter 7!
Although I am 7 years in, I still feel like I am just getting started. This blog has ascended me to heights I never imagined I would touch. I have gained relationships and sat at tables I never thought I would. I have received countless support and messages from people who have been touched by my words and have started their own blogs and publication. That's humbling and leaves my heart full everytime. Every share, every like, every subscriber, I appreciate you all more than words can express.
7 is the number of completion, but y'all know me..... I am FAR from finished!
Thank you all so much for rocking with me over these last 7 years and stay tuned.. I got a bunch of cool shit in store.
Love,
Kia