My Journey of Authenticity and Growth

Dear Gentle Reader,

Helllo!!!! If you are meeting me for the first time, welcome to this newsletter where we talk about anything and everything…I kind of sound like a Youtuber…right??

Anyway, I am excited to reconnect with you after taking a long break. During this time, I've been on a journey of self-reflection and learning, feeling a lot of emotions. Then, I realized that sharing this experience is essential because it is part of my story and shapes who I am.

I've been on LinkedIn since my university days. Initially, I was advised to use this platform to look for jobs, but I had no idea how it worked. I didn't even have a profile picture and mostly sent my CVs to people. However, this year was a turning point for me.

I met individuals who were intentional about their LinkedIn presence. Their stories of success inspired me, especially those who credited their achievements to a boot camp by Miss Muthoni. At first, I was skeptical. Miss Muthoni is a young lady, and I wondered if the praise was genuine. Despite my doubts, I joined her boot camp, and it was a game-changer.

For two weeks, it was an intense marathon. Miss Muthoni is full of wisdom and pushes you to the next level. She taught me the power of consistency. When I started, I had only 36 followers, mostly my university friends. Now, I have nearly 2,000 followers, and one of my posts reached over 12,000 impressions. It also led to inquiries and even a podcast to encourage young people to pursue their goals regardless.

After the boot camp, I continued with the momentum but faced struggles as I explored new directions, like public speaking. My profile reflects various aspects of who I am: a web strategist, LinkedIn storyteller, singer, and instrumentalist. I play the piano and bass guitar. Initially, I was advised to be known for one thing only. But how could I narrow down all my passions into one identity?

This newsletter is the result of my reflection. I realized I needed to reinvent myself as "Just Wanza." Whether you see me as a public speaker, web strategist, singer, or storyteller, at the end of the day, I am just Wanza.

I'm sharing my story authentically because I know many of you might be at a similar point. You might be afraid of LinkedIn or trying to figure out who you are. It's like Po in Kung Fu Panda 3, trying to find himself amidst different people.

Gentle reader, this is me being real with you, pouring out my heart, and reminding you that you are not alone. Sometimes, you need to tune out the pressure from others and be authentically you. No matter which part of yourself you choose to showcase, you are just you.

Let's embark on this journey together. Connect with me and share your story, and let's push for each other in being our authentic selves. Your story matters, and I want to hear it.

With gratitude,

Just Wanza