Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Savage.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jessica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Since I was a young girl, I absolutely loved keeping a ‘journal’. I spent hours and hours after school locked up in my room writing in binders upon binders on my bed. I remember thinking one day my collection of thoughts could be amassed into an interesting novel of sorts, ‘the evolution of a young girl becoming a teenager before shipping out to college’ and all of the highs & lows, trials, tribulations and moments in between. Journaling was freeing, enlightening and therapeutic in many ways.
Today, the mere thought of my teenage angst being documented makes me cringe, but the desire to publicly journal or share my writing has hummed under the surface for years. My 20’s have come and gone through a decade of launching a career, creating post-college friendships while maintaining my college coed ones, developing long-distance relationships with my family, dating plenty of frogs, embarking on adventures at-home and abroad, sorting out how to become an independent adult and re-routing my career path from Chicago to NYC and back again. I’m in my mid-30’s, embarking on a chapter of life many others have already flipped through, finding ‘the one’ and getting married later this Fall 2018. Maybe, I should have started writing or blogging sooner, capturing those life experiences not only with photos and social media but through words and stories. Truth be told, it has scared me beyond action to try and find my voice and put a stake in the ground behind it.
Yet, something kept tugging at me to get started, so I pushed as many negative thoughts aside as I could and launched “Savage Sentiments.” My core interests are food, fashion, family/friends and life in Chicago. There are so many things that interest me, so until that niche comes to me I cover all of the things I enjoy. I would absolutely love to inspire, empower and/or motivate the community to recognize and be confident in their creativity and inner strengths.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? Any advice for other women, particularly young women who are just starting their journey?
At the end of the day, I have my health and family and happiness so it would be difficult to say it’s been anything but a smooth road. I’m not saving lives or doing important work necessarily, I’m talking about some of the best things life has to offer! I chose to create a home for my stories, tips, and tricks and at the end of the day, I get to tap into a passion (i.e. writing) that I had ignored for years. But I will say despite what others may assume or my pictures suggest, I do struggle (and I especially did in the beginning) with putting myself out there. The best advice I’ve heard to that regard is to “get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Sometimes, it feels vain, sometimes I feel silly when a post doesn’t get the engagement I’d like or the traction I was hoping for. But I’ve accepted that it’s currently a small, personal venture and I look at all of the ups and downs as opportunities to learn about what works and what doesn’t. The one regret I cannot shake is I wish so very much that I would have started sooner. I’ve entered what is now an incredibly saturated market. But the one thing that is unique to me is me, so I’m going to keep plugging forward and see where it goes.
In terms of advice for other women, especially for young women who are starting their journey, my biggest piece of advice is to believe in yourself. And surround yourself with people who believe in you too. I’ve said a few times to my fiancé, “it would be easier to quit, who do I think I am trying to play in this space” and his response every time has been “absolutely not, you are not quitting. Rome wasn’t built in a day and you are going to keep on going.” I’ve been fortunate in my life to have a loving family, amazing friends & an independent spirit. But I did go through a chapter where my light was dim, my spirit felt crushed and I was constantly challenged instead of supported. What I went through is what it is, but every woman especially should know that you deserve unconditional love for who you are, just as you are.
Whatever your passion or interest may be, you owe it to yourself to give it a whirl. From cooking in your home or trying a new workout or even launching your own site or company, believe in yourself.
We’d love to hear more about Savage Sentiments.
My blog’s mission statement is to share tips, hacks and life sentiments via food, fashion and entertaining. It’s really about sharing tips to enjoy your life and feel good about yourself, whether you are home or out and about your city. I think a lot of times people aspire for this beautiful, glamorous life when you can achieve the same joy and look put together via many sources. For example, some of my favorite parties I’ve supplied completely from Costco, and I stand behind their sheet cake over a fancy bakery, always. I’ll perch up at the bar at Monteverde for dinner and a glass of Barolo but I’ll also get on the couch in my pj’s and eat Domino’s pizza. I would prefer Lou Mahlnati’s, but I’ll eat it! I also really love cheese, period.
I am most proud that I finally built up the nerve to launch “Savage Sentiments.” I’m also very proud that for the most part, I am learning something new every day, I am engaging my creative spirit and I’m doing my best to do it confidently. It’s easy to focus on the ‘vanity metrics’, i.e. followers on Instagram likes on a photo. But the more I remind myself it’s a fun hobby that I’m fortunate enough to share with others, the more I want to create and achieve. I’m also looking forward to the day when I can look at my children and tell them I had a dream to start a blog, and I might not have done it right away, but I did it.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Yes! I love the book “Big Magic, Creative Living Beyond Fear” by Elizabeth Gilbert as well as “The Universe Has Your Back” by Gabrielle Bernstein.
I listen to the podcast “This is Success from Business Insider, and have written down so many inspiring quotes from many of the episodes.
I’m inspired by Caitlin Covington of “Southern Curls & Pearls.” We are stark opposites in my opinion, but she is posting articles nearly every other day on her blog instead of simply focusing on being “IG Famous.” Although she pretty much is anyway!
I’m always inspired by a good workout and try my best to get moving at least five times a week.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.savagesentiments.com
- Email: savagesentiments@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savagesentiments/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savagesentiments/
Image Credit:
Artistrie Co.
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