Dipping my Toes Back into Blogging
Welcome to Surfing a Daydream—my brand-new blogging home! Some of you might remember me from my old site, nicoleolea.com, or where I started sharing my thoughts way back in 2006 - on The Pink Chandelier (ancient in blogging years, I know). Others may be reading my work for the first time, and if that’s the case, I’m thrilled to have you here.
It’s been a while since my last post in 2021, and during that break, I was busy building a photography business as well as continue working as a freelance writer and marketing/SEO consultant. I also held a full-time job as a Youth Minister. I did a helluva lot of communicating on behalf of my parish.
I’m embarrassed to say it, but writing for the sheer joy of it (and reading, if I’m honest) fell to the wayside for the first time in as long as I can recall.
Then, in November, I landed my dream job as a bonafide journalist and got busy covering stories about people, and as it turns out, it is like riding a bike.
Okay, that’s not exactly the best metaphor.
Here’s what really happened.
My editor reminded me- or gave me the confidence to finally believe my writing doesn’t totally suck.
We are our worst critics, and ya’ll, the little voice in my head when it comes to the words I lay down to this 80’s kid is on the level of Miss Hannigan from the original Orphan Annie film. Absolutely terrifying and absolutely belligerent.
Even before I landed this new job, I realized I needed to get back to writing creatively for me. For much of my adult life, that included blogging. I missed sharing what sparks joy, sets my soul on fire, or feels important enough to spend some time laying it down on the page. I also like to share fun stuff I see or like because you may like it too.
And with my adieu to 2024 - I figured it would be the best time to begin again. Yesterday morning, I decided to get this new blog up and running. Seeing as how we are seven minutes shy of Midnight on the first day of 2025 - I am reminded once more about how much I enjoy drafting late-night posts, the excitement of publishing something new, and the hope of finding once more the community I found along the way for so many years.
Because it’s about evolution and not forgetting…
When I first began blogging, my blog posts were an online journal. As bloggers - or Mom blogging became a thing, my blog evolved, and then I switched gears and switched again. I never really could niche down, and I don’t expect I will anytime soon. This blog will include more of what really got me into blogging in the first place -keeping an online journal.
While much of my old content has found a new home here, I’m still working on restoring some photos and visuals. (Let’s call them “digital Polaroids lost at sea” for now!) Over the coming weeks, I’ll be curating, captioning, and re-uploading those images so that the stories they accompany can truly shine. If you notice any blank spots or missing links, bear with me—it’s all part of moving my blog from its old platform on WordPress to this new one.
I’m also not done with the design of this site, so if you see something that is off, hard to read, or makes your user experience feel clunky, please let me know.
What to Expect
Nostalgic Throwbacks: Because I’ve carried over my old archives, you can dive into my musings from back in the day. Don’t be surprised by some outdated references—I’m learning to embrace my blogging evolution!
New Adventures and Much of the Same Tried and True Loves: My interests have grown over the years, so you’ll see fresh perspectives on travel, personal growth, creativity, and the little daydreams that keep life interesting.
Community & Conversation: What I love most about blogging is connecting with readers. Feel free to comment or reach out if something resonates with you.
Why “Surfing a Daydream”?
I’m excited to welcome you to this new space, which I’ve aptly named Surfing a Daydream—a phrase I’ve had in my bio for years. (I think I first used it on Twitter or maybe Skype? The new name captures the spirit of exploring ideas and possibilities like catching waves in an endless ocean of creativity. It’s about embracing that sense of wonder we often feel when we allow ourselves to dream—chasing the next wave, even if we’re not sure exactly where it will lead us.
Thank you for hopping on board for this next phase of my blogging journey. Whether you’ve followed me for years or just happened to stumble upon my posts, I’m excited to share, learn, and dream with you.
Stay tuned for new posts, updates on restoring the missing photos, and daydream-worthy content. Subscribe if you’d like to occasionally receive fun stuff in your inbox: I’ve been known to share exclusive contests or give fun freebies like shareable social media content or inspirational stuff to my subscribers, as well as share some cool things I discover on these interwebs.
You can also find me online.
I opened up an Instagram account for this blog, which you can find at @surfingadaydream. Come say hi!
xo,
Nicky
Just for fun, my grandmother + great-grandmother on Miami Beach in the 50’s or 60’s. Hope they brought sunscreen and did more than dip their toes in the ocean.
