You may be here because we have recently met or you may be a returning reader from a while back. Either way, I’m glad you’ve arrived and may we connect over personal musings. This lifestyle blog space has replaced what used to be a podcast and a side-hustle, one of many changes from the time of COVID-19.
2015-2019: In the beginning…
Ten years ago in 2015, I started this Beyond the Pacific space as a side-hustle during the era when bloggers were coming out of the woodwork globally. It was a fun time connecting and sharing content with like-minded people online from the USA, UK, South Africa, Pacific Islands and locally in Australia.
As followers increased on social media, blogs morphed into vlogs and a few of my personal poems were shared. I then launched a podcast that celebrated the achievements of Pacific Islander movers and shakers concluding with 3 tips for success they wanted to share with the audience; the very first of its kind … check out its intro reel with a reggae feel below 🙂
Things were going well and I was having fun with it until the exhausting COVID-19 era quashed any ounce of creativity left in me – so everything stalled. December 2019 saw the end of this hobby of mine as I placed blogging, vlogging and podcasting on the shelf for 3 years.
2020-2022: A time of self-discovery…
The year 2020 ushered in the worldwide pandemic that had begun in Wuhan, China. However, as an ambivert (a.k.a outgoing or social introvert), being confined to the four walls of my home every now and then was a much welcomed intervention that had me redirecting my energy to my family, arts, craft, music and gardening. I also got to pause, reflect and reassess the direction of my life.
There were many silver linings to the pandemic for me – like kick-starting a good career and dreaming bigger dreams. I also turned my attention to growing a herb garden, playing the keyboard and enjoying quality time over arts & craft with my family. Puzzles were a craze back then but man did I find it boring, eeeek!
A metamorphosis occurred in this period of ‘solitude’ compared to launching this space back in 2015 – I returned strongly to my faith, which had waivered over the years due to disappointments and heartaches. A solid foundation of faith, hope and love replaced the bygone days of partying regularly and living recklessly … I rediscovered deep joy and peace that surpasses all understanding in my Lord and Saviour.
2023-present: I’m back!
Like emerging out of a cocoon, I’m loving my purpose-driven life with my husband, daughter and our two fluffy Ragdoll cats called Cleo and Patra. I love my network of friends whom I get to do life with; breaking bread together regularly. Being a huge fan of education makes me incredibly proud to be back at my alma mater of Bond University for post graduate studies in Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduating in 2026.
Who knows where this Beyond the Pacific space will end up … but for now, I’m thrilled about this new chapter and enjoying the ride!
“And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.” Mark 2:22 NIV.
Miri 🙂 xx