Today we’d like to introduce you to Rach DiMare.
Rach, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2014, my husband brought up the topic of me starting a fashion blog. He knew I loved blogs and he thought I’d be great at it. I was definitely hesitant at first. I didn’t think I had the time to start a blog. A few months later, I eventually caved and decided to try it out. It quickly became my passion and that’s how I knew I loved to blog.
A couple years after I started my blog, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 27 at that time, just a couple months’ shy of my 28th birthday. That year was filled with constant hospital visits, surgeries, and treatments (such as chemotherapy). I lost my hair and the body changes from the treatments made me feel not beautiful. However, one thing kept me going and that was my strong belief in positivity and knowing that life only gives you challenges you can handle. I wanted to beat cancer so badly.
At that time, I also decided to share my cancer journey with the hope that it would inspire others and create a community so that young women facing cancer do not feel alone.
RD’s Obsessions (my blog) gave me the boost I needed to feel like myself again. When my energy was at its lowest during chemo, this blog gave me a reason to go outside. Even if it could only be for a short while, it always translated into good energy. Putting on my wig, outfits, and doing my makeup helped me feel and look like myself again. It gave me confidence.
Currently, I’m on the road to recovery. I’m starting to learn to embrace my body and appreciate its strength. I still have a long road ahead, but I continue to thrive. Through it all my blog has evolved into more than just a fashion blog. It is a place where I discovered my confidence and share that experience to my readers.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There were definitely struggles along the way. Not only did I have to endure the side effects of cancer treatments, I also felt like I lost myself. I looked in the mirror, and didn’t recognize who I was. I no longer felt feminine, and I didn’t like the changes that were happening to my body.
There’s a whole new normal I had to adjust to. The hardest part of this process was when chemo ended. It seems like everyone assumed because chemo ended, that everything is okay. In fact, life after chemo was the hardest. I look like a normal, healthy girl, but some of the things I was able to do before cancer no longer existed. I couldn’t function the way I did.
It also seemed like everyone assumed I’m all better now, back to normal because chemo ended. When in fact so much has changed and I still go through treatments. People don’t realize that there are other treatments aside from chemo and that you can look perfectly healthy while still going through treatments.
My advice to young women is to continue to believe in yourself. Despite what others think of you and the challenges you have to face daily, believing in yourself will give you the strength you need to recover. In time, you will learn to love yourself again and appreciate the person you have become.
what should we know about RD’s Obsessions? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
For the past 7 years, I was in Data Analytics until early 2018. I decided to resign from that career field to focus on my health. Moving away from that career field led me to blog full-time.
I’m proud that my passion for fashion and my strong finance & business background was able to turn my fashion blog into a successful business. At the same time, I am also amazed that by sharing my cancer journey, I am able to help other women realize they are not alone.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I recently read the book ‘You Are A Badass’ by Jen Sincero and I highly recommend it. This book not only makes you realize how much we are worth, but how much we discredit what makes us so great. I have gained more confidence in myself because of this book. It taught me to love and appreciate myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rdsobsessions.com
- Email: hello@rdsobsessions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rdulay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rdsobsessions
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RLdulay
Image Credit:
Tre DiMare
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