I Forgot How to Tell My Own Story

Eek! I got lost in the corporate sauce.

We spend so much time writing for others that we forget how to speak for ourselves.

Somewhere between the decks, the deadlines, and the donor reports, I forgot to update the one narrative I actually own — my own.

For close to a decade, I’ve been behind the scenes — writing the op-eds that shape public opinion, launching campaigns that shift policy conversations, and building digital ecosystems that help leaders and movements thrive.

But my own LinkedIn? My own portfolio?

Dusty. Underdone. Quiet.

There’s a quiet irony most communications professionals will understand: We’re the invisible architects behind the loudest voices. The strategists. The ghostwriters. The narrative framers. And somehow — we’re often the last to hit publish on our own story.

“We build bridges for others, but forget to walk across them ourselves.”

This week, I finally walked across mine.

I didn’t overhaul everything. I didn’t wait until it was perfect. I simply gave myself permission to be visible — not performative. Visible as in: clear. Human. Purposeful.

Here’s what that looked like: ✅ A fresh banner ✅ Purposeful positioning that reflects who I am now ✅ SEO-aligned headline ✅ A summary that actually sounds like me

In a time where the internet is overflowing with noise — people shouting about their greatness or performing vulnerability for likes — being visible doesn’t have to mean being performative.

“Being visible isn’t vanity. It’s value, made clear.”

If you’re in advocacy, strategy, or communications, and thinking about showing up more intentionally, start here:

1. Audit your profile like it’s someone else’s. You’d spot tone mismatches for a client instantly — give yourself the same care.

2. Refresh your banner or profile photo. A clean visual update can shift not only how you’re seen, but how you feel.

3. Write one sentence that actually sounds like you. That’s your anchor. Build from there.

4. Claim your keywords. You do the work — let your headline and summary say so.

5. Tell your story — your way. Not because you have to. Because you deserve to

I’m still updating. Still editing. Still unfolding. Still looking under the hood at what needs to be adjusted or thrown out. But I showed up for myself this week. Not just for the brands I’ve built — but for the story I live.