xoSelf (short for Love Yourself)) is a weekly advice series where women can anonymously seek advice on topics about relationships, work, finding themselves or life challenges. xoSelf is responded to by educator & life coach Dr. Walter Hidalgo.
Dear xoSelf: My family thinks that if I start a lifestyle blog for my cooking at my age people will make fun of me and not take me seriously. They feel no one wants to follow a grandmother for cooking and lifestyle tips. I feel I have so much knowledge to share with the world and maybe can even get my own brand deals for cooking items. Should I give up my dream? Blogging after 60 – will I be taken seriously?
Answer: One of the wisest things I’ve heard was this: “The richest place on earth is the cemetery because there are countless dreams ‘laying there’ that have never been brought to life.” Every hesitation, concern and doubt that you are facing is what every person (no matter the age, race, sexual orientation, etc.) goes through before entering the blog/digital world. Much of this doubt is not only from the people around you criticizing you, but it also has to do with the fact that you are inviting yourself to be open and accessible to everyone once you “go live” online. That takes a lot of vulnerability and courage. Once you understand that putting yourself out there has both positive and negative implications then you will approach the situation differently but it should never deter you from your dreams! In other words, you won’t know the outcome until you try!
Related article: Life after 40 as a Blogger
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Dr. Walter Hidalgo is an educator and coach. He has a master’s of arts in Church History and Sociology from Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University and a doctorate from New York Theological Seminary where his focus was on the intersectionality between Hip-hop culture and socio-spiritual movements. He has taught in universities, high schools, prisons, not-for-profit organizations, and faith-based institutions from all over the world. And finally, he is the author of the critically acclaimed book, “Beyond the Four Walls: The Rising Ministry and Spirituality of Hip-hop” where he has worked with numerous Hip-hop artists, educators, and youth from all over the world to create spaces of fun and empowerment.