The Real Deal
ALL IMAGES KEITH V FISCHER
SHOT ON LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER
COAT, THRIFT STORE (JACOB) | SWEATER, ZADIG & VOLTAIRE | SKINNIES, ASOS
SHOES, VINCE CAMUTO | BAG, LONGCHAMP | HAIR, CIVELLO SALON | LASHES, KINJOU | BROWS, MILA MINK
Authenticity is a big word these days.
In a world where people are judged by the number of ‘likes’ and ‘comments’ on a single post, it can be very difficult to sift through the noise and find an authentic voice. As a blogger, my goal is to deliver my form of expression - with no set rules and no governing body trying to frame my story within boundaries. It’s just me and people can either take it or leave it. They can agree with my opinion and like my photos or disagree and leave me with little engagement. Either way, it’s all good. No one can have it all since we’re not all programmed the same way, and that’s what makes the world diverse.
Now here’s the thing. I’m 42 years old. To some, that may seem surprising. To others, maybe not so much - especially if they remember in the odd family photos I post that I have a son who’s nearly as tall as me. When you turn forty, something happens. Your priorities shift and you suddenly don’t give a shit what others think. You care more about what YOU think. How YOUR relationship with others matter and how YOU are contributing to this world. Plus, you don’t experience FOMO in the way that others might - you’ve already been there, done that in your life (you were twenty once, and never want to go back there again! For those of you who are twenty, mark my words - you’ll know what I mean in another twenty years!). FOMO will just eat you up. The point is, you can never totally keep up with all the noise out there. It just isn’t possible - nor is it healthy. And why worry about what is happening with the outside world when you can focus on the inside? We deserve attention and love as much as - if not more - than anything, or anyone else out there.
At this age, you’ve already reached many of your initial goals, be it driven by career, relationships or personal development. You have reached a quiet confidence that doesn’t need to be flaunted. You don’t need to worry about competition because you simply don’t care and have already gone through it in your twenties and early thirties and realized that it’s SOO not worth it and there’s SOO much more to life than trying to one-up each other. I mean, seriously? It’s amazing how often I run into this. Also at this age, you’re beginning to be comfortable in your own skin and in fact, have learned to embrace and love it with all its flaws. You simply stop obsessing because, well, life is too short to let stuff like that bother you.
As a blogger, I strive to connect more with my community. Sharing my stories while learning about others’ as well - specifically, that’s YOU - my readers. And because so much of Instagram seems to be portraying the “ideal” lifestyle, it can sometimes be difficult to really get to know a person. How can anyone relate to someone who seems to have it all figured out? I’ve found it much more authentic when I write about something I’m struggling with or that a project has suddenly gone pear shaped.
Life throws you curve balls and it’s your job to either get out of the way or catch it. And if you can be true to yourself and to those you meet - that popular saying, “your vibe attracts your tribe” will certainly manifest itself.
