Who I really am

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As an online content creator (a fancy name for a blogger), we sometimes feel as if our online persona doesn’t equal our offline persona. As much as we try to display the person that washes the dishes, clothes and kitchen floors, it can get muddled when we post and realize that we may have written something that would never be uttered from our lips. Little quips, funny jokes and amusing anecdotes are created quickly online, while we may not produce them speedily in a normal conversation.

picture taken by Lucrecer Braxton

My own personal struggle is showing my true personality through both outlets. I’m a goofball. My kids definitely get it from me and I have no qualms about it. I’m also a lover of all things amazing, wonderful and positive. I have no issue standing up for what I believe in, whether it’s our frugal lifestyle, my son’s worth in this world, or my love of bananas and anti-love of avocados. I’m awkward and funny. I’m sensitive and loving. While I know who I am, I still fear that I don’t portray the real “me” online. One thing we need to pay attention to is not how we think we’re portrayed, but how our friends, online and otherwise, view us.

Laugh (photography by Lucrecer Braxton)

The picture above was taken by a dear online friend. Lucrecer is an amazing photographer, an expert in self-portraits and although she may not admit it, a master photographer. After the Viewfinder sessions during BlogHer this past weekend, she asked the beautiful Serena and me to take a walk outside so we could talk photography and take in the local sights. Within a few minutes, she’d convinced Serena and I to do some posing for her while the “light was good.” In the 5 minutes of our impromptu session, she’d captured the real me in a photo. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to look at a picture and see the person I am inside. It’s also been a long time since I’ve seen a picture of me that will display who I really am to others. This is that picture, and it was an online friend that captured it. A friend with the ability to bring the best out of others and place them in the eye of her lens.

So this is me. Goofy, loving, sensitive, truthful, flawed, happy, and at peace. As another friend said in her keynote during BlogHer, it’s so important to be an instrument of peace, even in your little space here on the internet. I hope that’s what you see in me, in who I really am.

“O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace.” – Saint Francis of Assisi

About Amiyrah

My name is Amiyrah and I'm an an African American fashion & lifestyle blogger based in Ohio.

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29 Comments

  1. 8.1.13
    AlexM said:

    Oh I still can’t believe you hate avocados!!!

  2. 8.1.13
    Shell said:

    Love that pic! xo

  3. 8.1.13
    Chrysa said:

    I love that photo of you! It was so nice to get to meet you in person at the CVS luncheon at BlogHer. Although it was only a few minutes, I thought the online you matched the “real” you. (BTW – I don’t like avocados either!)

  4. 8.1.13

    What beautiful shots! The power of a camera, huh? I wish I had met you!
    Thank you for linking up!

    • 8.1.13
      Amiyrah said:

      I wish we had met too. After seeing your video, I know we would have gotten along famously. Except, I would have never said “famously.” Just for clarification.

  5. 8.1.13
    Kari said:

    What a wonderful post! I know what you mean…I sometimes wonder if the real me is how I’m being perceived by others. Beautiful photos – you look so happy and outgoing!

    • 8.1.13
      Amiyrah said:

      Thanks so much, Kari!

  6. 8.1.13
    Kimberly said:

    Love this picture so much! And your words? So very true. I struggle with the worry that I’m not portraying the real me both online and offline.
    I think I now love you even more that you admitted that you’re anti-avocados too! 🙂

    • 8.1.13
      Amiyrah said:

      Yes! I found an anti-avocado buddy! See, now I know I made a mistake not saying hi at BlogHer. We were meant to be chums.

  7. 8.1.13

    What beautiful portraits! I often struggle with letting myself shine in my work too. I’m. Much more reserved with my personal self. I have a lot more character in real life than I let show online. I’m working on finding that balance.

    • 8.1.13
      Amiyrah said:

      It’s hard, isn’t it Amber? We want to be as transparent as possible online and offline, but it’s such a fine line. Sometimes just a picture can show who we are, and we don’t even have to say it through a thousand words. They say a picture is worth that much anyway 🙂

  8. 8.1.13
    Lucrecer said:

    I almost decided to end our friendship when I read you love bananas and hate avocados. LOL

    This is a beautiful post and I want you to know you are who you are online and in person. I am so glad to call you friend. You have a beautiful soul.

    • 8.1.13
      Amiyrah said:

      Avocados are such a touchy subject in the blogosphere! I’m glad that doesn’t deter you from being my friend. You are so awesome, Lu. Thanks so much for taking these wonderful pictures.

  9. 8.1.13
    Robin said:

    Funny, as soon as I saw that photo of you wearing yellow, I thought that’s EXACTLY how I see you!

    • 8.1.13
      Amiyrah said:

      Really? Thanks Robin! I think yellow might be my new color. It makes my soul pop 😀

      • 8.1.13
        Robin said:

        It’s a combo of your bright sunny disposition and laughter! Yes, yellow is a good color on you.

  10. 8.1.13

    Great photos and a wonderful post – it’s nice to meet the real you!!
    🙂

    • 8.1.13
      Amiyrah said:

      Thank you, Tammi!

  11. 8.1.13
    Mitch said:

    Well, considering I get to see you at blog events all over the country, I know I love that I have gotten to know you!
    Mitch

    • 8.1.13
      Amiyrah said:

      Thank you, my darling! I’m so happy that I get to see you multiple times a year. You’re the best Dad blogger around 🙂

  12. 8.1.13

    That photo is beautiful. She did capture all the things that you are. I think you are awesome on-line and I can’t wait to meet you in real life <3 I love that dress and necklace by the way!

  13. 8.2.13
    Onica {MommyFactor} said:

    How could you not like avocados?! LOL. That’s a great photo of you and oddly how you describe yourself is how I see you. Keep being yourself cause your wonderful. Even tho you don’t like avocados

  14. 8.2.13
    Sara said:

    Before I ever saw your photo on your blog or fb, this is exactly how I pictured you (Yes I have a strange habit of forming identities of people I’ve never seen =/ )! Fun, loving, beautiful and full of positive energy! And wearing yellow I might add! Why It’s your signature color… (in my slow southern draw accent!)

  15. 8.2.13
    JennysMom said:

    Seriously, you don’t like avos? I would seriously have to re-evaluate our friendship except there’s a certain daughter I have that feels the same way as you! I can’t disown you if I can’t disown her. I’d write more but I need to go make some guacamole…

  16. 8.5.13
    Andrea said:

    I’m the reverse of you with respect to bananas and avocados, but I love you anyway! And these pictures truly capture who you are – I think. Beautiful and smiling, funny and striking. And a stylish diva!! xo Can’t wait to see you in Sept!

  17. 8.11.13

    Love this! You are such an awesome person and it shines through each and every day!

  18. 8.21.13

    I think you are a woman I would like to be friends with. I love goofballs. We are oceans apart, but the online world does offer possibilities.
    Greetje

  19. 1.5.14
    Gwen said:

    You’re like my long-lost daughter! Peace is my mantra, my raison d’etre. Yes, I actually talk that way…especially since my son recently married a French-speaking native born resident from Madagascar. I finally get to use my high school French. I love, love, love your website! I passed your website on to my daughter-in-law, my sister, my nieces, and so, and so. You get it.

    • 1.6.14
      Amiyrah said:

      Thank you for sharing, Gwen!