stephen is

A runner, coffee enthusiast, writer and photographer. I'm currently working on navigating a more authentic path through life and thriving independently.

From a young age, writing, photography, and creating were my passions, and it felt natural—both to me and those around me—that they would play a prominent role in my future. I’d like to reflect on one of the motivations behind this site and the work I’m putting into it, as it might resonate with some of you.

Over the past few years, I have become more acutely aware of the imbalance between consumption and creation in my life. The former is easy, often enjoyable, and at its best, can feel inspiring. However, media, especially social media, often demands you feel a certain way —regardless of your readiness or willingness. Even the content that deeply resonates with me has begun to make me feel like it's putting words into my head and mouth, dampening my desire to express myself independently. Creating, on the other hand, is tricky. It can be messy, unpredictable, and unpolished. However, at some point in the process, you experience a sense of swelling pride and passion for breathing life into something from nothing. I want to feel more comfortable in this void and become better at noticing what I'm driven to fill it with.

Someone close to me once shared their fear that if they shared their creations with the world, people might not notice or care. I understand this fear deeply, but I’m choosing to embrace the discomfort—because the joy of creating outweighs the risk of being unseen. I want to get closer to the things that drive and define me, instead of drifting further away.

I want to know: What drives you to create? What inspires you to embrace the discomfort and bring something new into the world?