Letter from Creative Director

First of all, thank you for picking up Issue 8 of The Wake and reading this extremely public diary entry of mine! 

I feel as though the past year has been the most transformative year of my life. The first half of 2019 was one of my lowest points. I was getting out of a 3-year relationship, the majority of my support system was studying abroad, the weight of unresolved personal issues were cracking at the surface, and I was completely burning myself out when it came to school. I truly felt like I lost who I was; something that I always prided myself in. I found myself in a never-ending cycle of trying to figure out who I am and what I want from life.

I can't even begin to explain how much I've grown as a person within the past 6 months and how amazing life has been. It took an immense amount of strength for me to want to get better. I eventually started journaling & meditating daily, going to therapy, taking the right medication, and regularly cooking & practicing yoga. I started loving life and myself again. 

The moral of the story is, take time for yourself, please please, please. Take time to reflect on how things make you feel, to take care of yourself, to acknowledge when change is needed. Knowing who you are is a powerful thing. Have faith in the unknown and that life will work itself out. I have never felt happier and healthier and DAMN does it feel good. 

So for anyone who might be wondering, “How is Kiley doing?” I am great. I’m loving life and all that it has to offer, and I hope that you are too. 

This publication has brought me to such an open-minded, charismatic group of people who are the best to work with. Seriously, I wish I would have joined The Wake earlier on in college. If anyone is interested in getting involved in the art/design team, I would be more than happy to chat with you :) 

Final s/o goes out to you for reading this emotional letter, and my friends & fam for keeping me sane during my senior year. 

That is all for now. Please be kind and spread lots of love. 

Kiley Nelson

xoxo