#1 Why I Studied Modern Journalism: From “Shy Kid” to Explorer

Growing up, I was the quiet one. I was the kid more likely to listen than to speak up. I was told I was not ‘journalist material.’ Journalists were bold, and they chased stories, asked hard questions, and were generally pushy. I was labeled shy and became so. At 18 years old, that seemed to rule out my secret dream. I blocked it out, forgot about it, and decided to cross off the fields I wasn’t made for when it came time to choose a university.

I crossed out languages and literature, thinking those were mainly for people who wanted to become teachers. I was told teaching wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, you know, “not profitable and stuff.” I agreed. I trusted the adults in my life a lot back then.

I was super curious about the world, so what was left—something general but also trendy—was international business. My parents and other adults agreed and encouraged me. I was happy enough with my choice, it seemed fancy somehow. I had forgotten all about my secret passions: writing, reading, and drawing. Those were the things I loved, but I believed everyone else who said they wouldn’t help me make a living.

Back then, in the aftermath of communism, the goal was simply to make a living. It was a generational wound my parents carried subconsciously and passed on. It meant a constant sense of scarcity and pressure to pursue secure, practical careers. Kids were expected to know early on what they wanted to become in life. In hindsight, how absurd to ask a child what they want to become in 15 years!

I never ask my kids that question. Instead, I ask questions like:

• What excites you right now?
• What would you love to learn or try next?
• How do you like to solve problems or help others?
• What makes you curious?

I believe it’s less about choosing a path too soon. It’s more about paying attention and encouraging our kids’ curiosity and confidence. It’s so important to allow our kids to explore freely, wherever that may lead.

When I chose my path, my career and dreams had to be sensible and reliable. There was little to no room for creativity. Even in art class, we had to rigorously follow the teacher's instructions!

Creativity was a luxury few could afford, that is, if they knew about it. So I blocked my passions in a way, tucked them in a secret compartment of my soul. I chose stability over curiosity, even as a part of me quietly hoped for something more.

I never learned about creativity in art class in high school, how crazy is that? I’d love to hug the little girl I used to be, the girl with big dreams and hope for creativity beyond her awareness. I wanted to create worlds and build magic, yet these dreams were stifled by cultural norms and expectations for a long time. Motherhood awoke something in me, and therapy helped me identify what the new triggers meant.

Why Journalism?

After I became a mother, it took me a few years to battle with my own stories that kept resurfacing without me knowing what they meant.

I chose a path of healing and rediscovering my true self, uncovering it from under the blocks and piles of “dirty laundry” (those limited beliefs that I have carried with me from previous generations).

After a long family holiday abroad a few years ago, I gathered the courage to publish my first piece on Medium. At first, I was terrified. I didn’t know if I could still express myself. What if no one cared? Pretty quickly, something beautiful and amazing happened: my stories were read, and views were growing. I even got “boosted,” and I connected with some amazing editors on the platform.

I learned new things about writing and started to feel like myself again. Soon enough (much to my shock), I started earning from my writing. This proved I could do what I love and build something meaningful. Finally, I could build the worlds I dreamed of, and I could create magic (in a sense).

That confidence was the seed for something bigger. I was a parent, and I felt the need to build my own village. My purpose now, here on Substack and beyond, is to build a community for parents who want to thrive, not just survive.

Now thinking back, it seems I’d internalized the label of being “too shy for journalism” for a long time. Since I started writing again, my self-confidence grew, and I remembered my childhood dream: that I’d always wanted to give voice to stories that matter.

I finally understood: there’s no one “type” of journalist. I used to be labeled and believed I was a shy introvert, but I was really a social extrovert dreamer undercover.

Studying abroad and working in corporate roles revealed something important: I genuinely love working with people. Whether it was leading teams, brainstorming creative solutions, or connecting across cultures, I thrive on collaboration and a shared purpose. So, interestingly, the skills I once thought I lacked were within me all along. They were just waiting for a chance to be seen and put to use.

After becoming a mom of three, I realized that old labels didn’t have to define my path. So I signed up for NYU’s modern journalism course while we were on holiday in France (last year). By that point, I had already spent nearly two years writing stories, poetry, and essays on Medium. The NYU course felt like a true leap into the unknown. Still, I trusted that studying modern journalism would give me fresh tools and perspectives. I especially wanted to improve my writing when it came to nonfiction pieces and learn more about the ever-changing world of media.

The one-year course helped me gain technical skills. I happily used Canva to present my projects and started to feel I was driven by purpose. It inspired me to look beyond old definitions of myself and to embrace a broader, more confident identity.

I was a writer, I became a published author, and I have always been a learner. I was someone who could shape her narrative, no matter where the journey began. I had begun to change my script, intentionally.

I also discovered that good journalism needs listeners and deep thinkers. In NYU’s modern journalism course, I found out there isn’t just one way to be a journalist. Thoughtfulness, empathy, and the willingness to see multiple sides—these are strengths.

Finding My Voice

Now, I write from multiple perspectives. I am still experimenting with tone and always with curiosity. I have more courage to dig deeper when it comes to personal stories and memoirs. The more I write, the more I find myself.

If you’ve ever been told you’re not ‘enough’ for your dream, remember that boxes were made for outgrowing. I’m still exploring, still listening, and still finding my voice.

Next time, I’ll share how my journey led me deeper, beyond storytelling and into the world of copywriting. If you’re curious about merging creativity with practical skills (or simply finding your authentic voice), stay tuned for Part 2!

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* I originally published this story here.*

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