HI MY LOVE,
I’m Alana
Since time began, stories have always been the threads that connect human beings. They remind us that we share the same desires, moments of joy and sadness, the ache of feeling lost, and the beauty of finding our way back to ourselves - even if our journeys look different on the outside.
I believe that sharing our stories is how we create understanding, belonging, and change. When we speak our truth, we not only set ourselves free, but we also hold up a mirror for others to see their own reflection.
That’s why I built The Creative Gaze. To help others bring their true essence into the world through their brand. The more we embrace our stories, the more powerfully we can connect, create, and make a difference.
And with that, here are the chapters of my life that shaped who I am, and why I do what I do…
Chapter One
For as long as I can remember, I struggled with low self-worth. I felt like an outsider, and to cope, I learned to hide behind masks. I became whoever I thought people wanted me to be, seeking validation through friendships, attention, and escape.
Partying gave me that escape. It helped me forget how I really felt about myself and gave me the illusion of belonging. For a while, it looked like I had everything I wanted: friends, a social life, people who ‘liked’ me. But it wasn’t really me - it was a version I created to fit in.
Behind the mask, I was exhausted. I kept pushing my true feelings to the back of my mind, but eventually, the weight caught up with me. I burned out. The life I built fell apart, and I lost everything I thought mattered. I isolated myself completely, to the point of barely leaving the house. I felt empty, alone, and invisible.
Chapter Two
And yet, even in that dark season, a spark flickered. At university, I started The Creative Gaze as a side project. I had forgotten how much of the real me was creative, but creating again gave me a sense of relief. It felt like the one part of myself I could still hold onto.
I poured myself into designing and sharing my work online. Slowly, I gained a little attention on Instagram, even a few client enquiries. Running The Creative Gaze gave me confidence. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was reconnecting with myself.
I even physically made it to my university graduation, which was a huge step for me. Walking across that stage felt like more than just receiving a degree. It felt like reclaiming a piece of myself. And for a while, I thought maybe I had turned a corner.
Chapter Three
But the old patterns crept back in. As The Creative Gaze began to grow, so did my insecurity. I started comparing myself to other brand strategists and designers online. I judged everything I created, convinced it wasn’t good enough. It was no longer about my art or creativity; it was a mental competition I was having with only myself.
I started masking again. I copied what I saw others doing because I thought that’s what success looked like. But pretending drained me. It silenced my voice and fed the low self-worth monster I thought I’d left behind, but clearly it was still very much alive and gnawing away at my psyche!
I soon became sad again. The more I tried to be like everyone else, the more unaligned my business became. I attracted clients who just didn’t feel right. They weren’t bad people, but we didn’t understand each other, and the work left me drained. What once brought me joy now felt like a heavy burden. I was exhausted, burnt out (once again!), and close to giving up on The Creative Gaze entirely.
Chapter Four
For what felt like forever, I was stuck in this cycle. Pouring myself into work that didn’t light me up, constantly questioning my worth, and wondering why I wasn’t as happy or successful as others seemed to be. I’d lost myself again. And I came close to walking away from everything I had built.
But then one day, I knew enough was enough. I was tired of the life I was living. I knew it was time for me to once and for all break free from the low self-worth monster.
This time around, I turned inward. I began doing the inner work, not the surface-level Pinterest affirmations I’d dabbled in before (oops, did I really just admit that!), but deep, honest healing. I worked on rebuilding the relationship with myself - the one I had neglected for so long.
I explored self-love, well-being, and healing practices. I took months away from The Creative Gaze to focus entirely on myself. Slowly, I started to feel whole again.
Chapter Five
When I returned to my business, I knew things had to be different.
I realised my brand didn’t need to be a mask - it could be a mirror. A mirror that reflected not only who I am, but also created a space where others could feel seen, understood, and like they finally belonged.
I wasn’t meant to shrink myself into someone else’s mould. I was meant to create my own. And clarity wouldn’t come from perfecting what was on the outside, but by honouring who I already was on the inside. So I gathered all the parts of myself I’d tucked away for years and wove them into The Creative Gaze. My values, my voice, my rhythm, my essence, they became the foundation of my work. Finally, my brand felt like me.
And with that shift, everything else shifted too. I began to attract clients who understood me, people I connected with on a deeper level: my kindred audience. Together, we create work that is not only aligned but meaningful. Work that makes a difference, nourishes us both, and allows us to grow side by side.
Chapter Six
I’m still on this journey of acceptance and alignment every day. I don’t pretend to have it all figured out, but I know now that life and business aren’t about wearing masks or meeting expectations - they’re about self-expression, self-honouring and self-alignment.
And the beautiful part is, when we come home to ourselves, we also create space for others to do the same. My story isn’t just about me; it’s about all of us who are tired of dimming our light and ready to live and work in alignment with who we truly are.
That’s what The Creative Gaze is: a space for me, and others like me, to step into truth, to create with soul, and to be fully seen and understood for who we are.
