Yesterday morning, I spoke on a panel at a conference for writers—organized by one of our very own customers (shout out to Rachel!). I was honored, but admittedly a little surprised to be asked. “Writer” isn’t a title I’ve ever actively claimed.
After the panel, I debriefed with a dear friend and said, “I don’t really even have a writing practice.” He looked at me, confused and quickly corrected me—“What about your Sunday newsletter???”
It hadn’t occurred to me that this weekly email is something that could ever earn me the right to call myself a writer. It took me a long time to claim “designer” and even that still feels shaky some days.
What actions—and how much of them—earn us the right to claim a certain identity? Do they need to be earned at all?
I’ve always believed that actions, not words, define us. And it’s through repeated, consistent action that I feel myself get closer to certain identities.
Sitting beside the other writers, listening to them speak about how they tell stories, what stays private, how they land on the right words—I felt deep resonance. It was refreshing to be in community with people who asked similar questions. I was so grateful for the opportunity to show up as something other than “founder”—and to see myself a little differently too.
One question I was asked on the panel was: How has writing impacted your business?
I had a few thoughts:
I started this newsletter with the intention to spark thought, feeling, and action. What its become is a record of my story pivoting careers, starting Mixed, and growing the brand… all while being a real person navigating love, loss, dating, grief, financial ups and downs—and everything in between.
Any time I’m nervous to hit send, I tell myself: If this lands with just one person, I’ve done my job.
And hearing back from you all has been the greatest joy of this newsletter. Getting glimpses of your stories, wisdom, and encouragement has been such an anchor during times when I’ve felt lost or burnt out. This space reminds me why I do what I do—why I founded Mixed in the first place.
And hearing back from you all has been the greatest joy of this newsletter. Getting glimpses of your stories, wisdom, and encouragement has been such an anchor during times when I’ve felt lost or burnt out. This space reminds me why I do what I do—why I founded Mixed in the first place.
But one of the most unexpected gifts this newsletter has given me is mothering. So many moms have reached out with advice and well wishes—filling, in quiet and generous ways, the gap of conversations I haven’t been able to have with my own. At times those words have moved me to tears.
This newsletter was never part of some grand "brand strategy." It was just something I wanted to do. And at times, especially as the brand has grown, I’ve wondered if it makes sense to keep sharing such personal thoughts. But you all continue to show me that there is room for nuance. That these reflections live naturally alongside the color and creativity of Mixed.
Writing has always been there in the background of my life, and this weekend showed me that I’d like to claim it more intentionally. One day, I’d love to publish a Mixed coffee table book. And another day—a book completely unrelated to the brand—about my mom and my family’s journey navigating her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
I share all this as a reminder that we are many things and that we have time to live out those many identities in different chapters of our lives.
And sometimes, it helps to have someone else see a part of us clearly so that we can more confidently see it ourselves.
And sometimes, it helps to have someone else see a part of us clearly so that we can more confidently see it ourselves.
Thank you again, Rachel.
And thank you to all of you—for creating space for me to live in full color.
xx
Nasrin
And thank you to all of you—for creating space for me to live in full color.
xx
Nasrin