My story is pretty long but in a summary, I would say that I am a socially awkward blogger who found her voice through online arts which helped me find my voice in the real world. Don’t get me wrong that sounds like an awesome TV show produced by Disney Channel but the truth is it took a lot of patience and determination.
I started at the tender age of 6 when I wrote and sung my first song ‘I Can Be’ acapella in front of my mother. Ironic huh? I knew what I wanted to be and how I wanted my life to go that young and no matter what I was gonna do it.
It took me awhile before I actually got serious about pursuing my dreams myself because on the other hand I wanted to be a kid and play with dolls, duel others in card games and dream about being a spy while purchasing spy toys from the book fair. My mom also saw what I wanted to do and she pushed me in directions that gave me skills without me knowing that I was actually working. She kept me kiddish but also wise beyond my years. I was placed in programs that were offered such as choir, the dance group at my church, an arts summer camp, computer classes, reading programs, cheerleading etc.
Over the years I learned more and more about my dreams and how to accomplish them. 6 years old wasn’t the time to accomplish them really but my mom gave me a lil head start. By the age of 15, I began to realize that I could focus on my dreams and make them a reality. I felt in tune with where I wanted to go and how to get there.
At this age, while everyone was focused on the trends, boys, and wearing their pants extremely tight, I was in the library reading and racking up on AR points as us introverts would do. 🙂 I was also working on my dreams as the CEO of my own magazine company.
Mind you journalism was not my first thing because honestly as much as I loved English, spelling was just a task for me. Over time as I tried to perfect my artsy I saw things that lead me to become a part of the Media. (I’ll go in depth on why I joined the media in another blog post) So I joined the rude, made up stories with made up sources, chasing you with cameras in dangerous places media, not to do that stuff but to actually be different. I wanted to just…..simply stop bullying. That was the motivation that made me so determined.
I wanted there to be a media outlet where there was positivity and equality for all and a way to get young girls connected to the young artist who promoted positivty. 90% of mainstream magazines and blog sites are bullies. (Not gonna name any names) and the few that promote positivity don’t really get as recognized as those who promote photoshop, gossip, and insecurities. Bullying made me determined Af. So I guess it was a pro and con to all those horrible memories. ^_^
I got on the internet and found my voice while helping others find there’s. I never thought that this would be a part of my dreams and a love of mine at first but I felt like this would be a good thing to add and something that can change lives.
Also as a girl who wanted to be a cover girl even though according to the fashion world I was too fat (at 110lbs) or too short (5’5) to be a model, it was great to have my own magazine 🙂
Being determined didn’t come over night tho, it came over years of patience and hard work. When the magazine first started I would do an issue here and there because it was SO much work and I was like eh it’s not worth it cause I got things to do ( I didn’t have nothing to do actually lol) but it was just my insecurities. Then eventually after a break though within myself ,it turned into a year and a half of completed issues, two writers, and over 11k views a month at the age of 21.
For those of you wondering while reading this, Yes, I did do everything, I designed the website, post, magazine content, promotion, interviews etc. I have a very small team now but not until now.
It’s paying off but gosh that was a butt load of work. Continuing on I actually am happy that I did all of that work because it has given me great opportunities to speak to some of my favorite celebrities, introduce new artist, tell my story, become worldwide , partner with brands and PR , design and create , build a brand and meet all of you! It has most importantly given me a voice and that’s what dreams are right? Allowing yourself to find what makes you feel all tingly inside every time you get a chance to do it and what allows your voice to be heard.
Being determined to achieve dreams and goals can be hard tho especially when you have no money , self esteem or friends to help but I guess that’s the only con of it right? Because when you actually finally achieve all of that work that you put it , it was worth it. All of those days where you cried because you felt like you were just gonna be stuck or wasn’t worth it – guess what, you are now someone’s inspiration.
You now are apart of helping someone else get out of that funk that almost made you give up. You are a voice that people need to hear because you have a story. You have a gift that was given to you to make this world a more happier place. You have to use it. ( For good of course, duh.) Your determination should be at 10000 with people like me and others rooting you on. I may just be a face on the internet but I am also a human bean with a story and an outcome that is here to cheer you on.
Until Next Time Reignland,
Raye
Be Determined
Written by Rayye Reign //
Art by:
C. Cassandra ,
G. Ontour,
Rachel and
Vintagetravelin