A Birthday Reflection
on dreams & the importance of making your childhood self proud <3
Happy Birthday to Me!
Birthdays have always felt like a reset button for me—a personal New Year’s Day where I get to reflect on everything I’ve accomplished and everything I still want to do. It’s not just about turning a year older; it’s about taking stock of my progress, recognizing my growth, and setting new intentions for the future.
This year feels even more special because my birthday happens to fall on a Fashion Fille Friday. And, as if that wasn’t already a reason to celebrate, this is also my FIFTIETH article published on Fashion Fille. WOW. A milestone like that feels fitting for reflection.
As I sat down to write this article, I kept coming back to Roam Boulder—the project that truly changed everything. Surprisingly, I’ve never actually shared Roam’s story or its impact on me here on Fashion Fille. It feels like the right time to finally reflect on how much it shaped me and set the stage for everything I’ve built since.
In the summer of 2021, I was at a crossroads. I felt unmotivated and stuck, searching for creative opportunities that aligned with my passion for fashion and storytelling. But nothing at CU Boulder seemed to fit. Transferring schools was an option, but something inside me felt determined to carve out my own path. If what I was looking for didn’t exist, why not build it myself?
So, I did.
Creating Roam Boulder, CU Boulder's first-ever life & style publication, was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. It was born from frustration, but more importantly, from a deep desire to provide a creative platform not only for myself but for others who felt the same lack of opportunity I did.
Roam Boulder quickly grew beyond anything I could have imagined. It provided creative opportunities for over 200 students, tripled in size, and successfully executed a fashion show. But beyond the accolades and milestones, it was the process that shaped me.
Founding Roam Boulder taught me how to be a leader. It taught me how to communicate, how to inspire others, and how to turn an idea into something real. It made me treasure my creative skills and proved to me that risks are worth taking. Roam Boulder didn’t just fill a gap at CU Boulder; it became a community—a place where students could express themselves, grow their portfolios, and contribute to something bigger than themselves.
But while I built it for the students who needed that outlet, I also built it for her. The little girl who used to flip through magazines with wide eyes and endless curiosity. The one who dreamed of creating something beautiful and impactful, even before she understood what that meant. Creating Roam Boulder was my way of proving to her that her dreams were worth fighting for.
“Who is she?” you may be asking. I’m, of course, referring to my childhood self. Duh.
That same desire to make my childhood self proud is what drove me to create Fashion Fille. You all know the story behind this blog, but to recap: after college, I needed a space to continue pursuing my passion for fashion and marketing in a way that felt authentic. Fashion Fille has become my creative platform—a place where I can share my journey, connect with others, and express my ideas freely. It’s how I’ve stayed true to my vision, even as I navigated the fashion industry and found my footing.
Roam Boulder and Fashion Fille are different projects, but they were built on the same foundation: creating something meaningful from nothing. Making opportunities when the world didn’t hand them to me. Proving to myself, over and over again, that I have the power to turn my dreams into reality.
As I said before, every year on my birthday, I feel this overwhelming urge to take stock of what I’ve built and what I still want to accomplish. It’s like an annual check-in with myself where I ask, “What would she think of this?” The little girl who dreamed so boldly, so freely. Am I doing right by her? Am I building the life she dreamed of?
So much of my drive comes from making her proud. From recognizing that the dreams I had when I was little are still alive and worth pursuing. And every time I take a step forward, it feels like I’m honoring that version of myself who believed anything was possible.
This birthday feels especially exciting because I’m working on something new. A project that feels like another step toward fulfilling those dreams. I can’t share the details just yet, but I feel that same spark I felt when I founded Roam Boulder—the thrill of taking a risk, of creating something from nothing, of chasing down an idea that feels too big to ignore.
Who’s going to make sure my dreams come true? I am. That realization has driven me forward all this time. And the truth is, making my childhood self proud isn’t just a goal—it’s a way of life. It’s about keeping that bold, imaginative spirit alive and trusting that her dreams are worth the effort.
Roam Boulder was the first big step in proving that to myself. Fashion Fille is another. And whatever I create next will be, too. The journey is ongoing, and that’s what makes it so exciting. Every time I choose to move forward, to take a risk, to build something new, I feel like I’m doing right by her.
This birthday, I’m choosing to celebrate by embracing that sense of possibility. By continuing to dream boldly and build fiercely. By remembering that everything I’ve done up to this point is only the beginning.
Here’s to another year of creativity, courage, and growth. Here’s to making our childhood selves proud, every step of the way.
I love you all, we got this!!!! <3