No Easy Road
featuring a photo series by Zea Wiltshire
When I rebuilt the Wadadlivity website, I decided to get rid of the recipes and blog and focus strictly on in-person events and the soon to be launched virtual studio. But the closer I got to the launch date, the more I found myself questioning the decision. Wadadlivity started as a blog and although the business has evolved, it’s important for me to stay true to my roots.
I’ve been running this website since 2015 and it’s been no easy road. To be honest, I almost abandoned the idea before starting. My boyfriend at the time (whom I later married) had been diagnosed with a rare cancer that completely altered the trajectory of our lives. I was ready to shelf Wadadlivity and almost everything else, but he encouraged me to see my idea through. If you remember the early recipes and YouTube videos, thanks for sticking with me.
My life has changed dramatically in the past seven years and Wadadlivity has changed alongside me. Readership was growing steadily and I settled into a groove of creating and publishing content. With the simultaneous arrival of my son and decline in my husband’s health, everything else was put on an indefinite pause. After his death, I sank into the deepest depression of my life.
I may not look it, but every single day since then has been a struggle. The depth of grief is almost impossible to understand unless you’ve lived it. I don’t think the pain and sadness will ever leave, but I’m finding healthier ways to cope with the loss.
I wasn’t sure what to do with myself or Wadadlivity in the months following his death. Although I was no longer creating content, Instagram and Facebook followers would still send messages and tag Wadadlivity in their posts. I am so grateful to everyone who inquired about classes, shared photos of recipes they tried, or purchased merchandise.
Social media can be quite overwhelming, so I’ve been focusing more on in-person classes and events. It’s been beautiful to connect in the real world and see the positive changes folks are making. After a much needed hiatus, I’m slowly making my way back to social media.
Wadadlivity has taken on an identity of its own and I’m proud of the work I’ve put in to get to this point. We can never be certain of what the future holds, but I’m embracing it with arms wide open.
