Thoughts on Creating, Growing and Not Having It All Worked Out

As the year comes to an end, you start to see everyone talking about what went well and what they’re hoping for next year. It’s honestly a time of year I’ve always struggled with, because what if you don’t feel like it’s been as fruitful as you’d hoped?

And what if you don’t know what it is you want to do next…?

Now, before I go down that rabbit hole I have to acknowledge that it's not been a bad year. In all honesty it's been pretty bloody good. I have had the best year to date in terms of paid collaboration opportunities and the brands I've got to work with. While I have definitely taken on less in terms of send outs, the brands and companies I have worked with this year are have been some of the best and have been so closely aligned to where I want to grow into. I also got to go on my first brand trip, with Mecca, which was definitely the biggest pinch me moment of the year. 

But I still find myself asking, all the time… what am I doing? And what am I bringing to the table?

I follow so many incredible creators who are doing incredible work in the space. Giving voice to minority groups, showcasing products and events in incredibly unique and artistic ways and working with incredible companies because of the unique experiences they bring to their social feeds.

It often makes me ask the question: what is my point of difference? Why is it that people want to follow and engage with me?

And in all honesty...I am still figuring it out.

It’s something I’ve struggled with over the last few years: finding what makes me different, what gives people a reason to follow and engage with my content.

So if you’re also in the same boat… just know you’re not alone.

What I am coming to terms with is that I don't think I want to bring the same polished aesthetic to my content that I have for the last few years. I don't have the Instagrammable house, it's just a regular old house. I am not going to the glitzy events, even if that is mostly because I don't get rewarded the luxury as a creator based in Canberra. And I don't necessarily fit the standards and aesthetic of the huge 'influencers' we are being fed day in and day out. I am just a regular girl, living a regular life, trying to figure it out as each day comes. 

And maybe that's ok.

I know I don't want to become one of those typical 'UGC creators' churning out video after video to the point where I find myself dropping the values that I uphold just to bring in a few dollars. I am not a creator who follows and creates trends. But on the flip side of it all, I obviously still want to continue to grow my community. 

So 2026...what is that I want to do? 

Well...I am still working that out. But I think I want it to become a bit more organic. A peek behind the curtain into the real 'life of Laura', the roots where I started this whole page 10 years ago (a celebration we will have in February!). I am getting ready to pull out the vision board and start planning what 2026 will look like and what it is that I actually want to achieve. But honestly...it's still a little daunting.

So maybe this next year isn’t about reinventing myself or chasing some grand content strategy. Maybe it’s simply about letting things be a little more real. Letting myself show up as I am, without the pressure to compete with polished feeds or perfectly curated lives. Creating content that is as imperfect as me and my life.

If anything, I hope 2026 becomes the year where my content feels more human. A space where I can share the everyday, the imperfect, the moments that make up a regular life lived with intention.

And if you’re figuring it out too… then I’m glad we get to figure it out together.