30 Days Of Filming Myself For Social Media (And What It Taught Me)
I recently set myself a small challenge: to post a short video on TikTok and Instagram every day for 30 days.
Each one was simple - just a snapshot of me working on my small business, BearHugs, and sharing whatever I happened to be listening to that day.
I didn’t really do it to grow an audience. Or to drive traffic. Or to sell more things.
It wasn’t actually for anyone else at all. It was just for me.
Here’s why.
Getting comfortable being online again
I hadn’t posted on social media in a long time. Somewhere along the way, I’d developed a bit of a mental block about it. Everything started to feel too curated or too high-stakes and I found myself stuck. This challenge helped break that down.
By committing to posting in a low-pressure way with no big strategy, no perfect captions, I gave myself permission to just show up. And bit by bit, it felt less intimidating. I started to enjoy it again.
SHaring other sides of myself
BearHugs has always been rooted in kindness. That’s the heart of the business, and it always will be. It’s also something I value most personally.
But over time, I’ve started to feel a little boxed in by that one note. As a female founder, I think it’s important to show the full spectrum of who we are, not just the most agreeable edges. I wanted space to be a little more me publicly and this little project gave me that space.
Expressing my Likes & interests
I’ve not always felt confident sharing what I’m into. Whether it’s music, podcasts, or books, there’s been a quiet hesitation in me, as though I need to justify my interests somehow.
But I’d really like to work on that because it’s, of course okay to love what you love. And to share those things to, in a way, say “this is who I am.”
I want my daughter to see me able to do that. I want her to grow up knowing there’s plenty of room in the world for her to be completely herself, interests and all.
Finding a Gentler View of Myself
I’m six months postpartum after a very sicky pregnancy and I’ve noticed changes in my appearance. They’re not bad or good really. Just different. Filming myself everyday has helped me see those changes with more neutrality. It’s given me a gentler lens to see myself through.
Learning by Doing
Before this, I had no clue how TikTok worked from a creator perspective. I still don’t really, but I have learned a few things by trying. I find there’s something satisfying about letting yourself be a beginner. It’s nice not to have a grand plan but just to start.
Choosing What I Let In
This little challenge also nudged me to be more intentional about what I consume. When I’m tired, it’s easy to default to something like reality TV (which there’s absolutely nothing wrong with) but if I pause for a moment, I usually realise I’d rather listen to that audiobook I’ve been meaning to finish, or play music I haven’t heard in ages. That small act of choosing feels good. It’s reassuring and like I’m filling up the right parts of myself again.
A small challenge with big positive personal impact
Posting myself online for 30 days wasn’t dramatic or groundbreaking but it did shift something for me. It reminded me that I can show up imperfectly, consistently, and gently which has been confidence boosting. It also made me feel a little more myself. And because of that, I think I might keep going.
