DREAMS OF TOMORROW

Why did you invent this blog?

I recall trying to go to sleep on one of my restless nights and instantly getting a momentary idea: “I think I’m going to start a blog…”

Then, I didn’t really think of the reason. I literally just woke up the next day and began researching how to start a website. Now, looking back, I realize that on the same night I got this idea, I had been wrestling with the dawning reality that nobody understood me. Nobody understood my desires, fears, and goals as a Catholic girl in the modern century. Nobody really talked about these things. I had little encouragement and guidance. I felt so lonely. And so many women must be feeling the same. So, I decided to make them feel heard. Perhaps, this blog is silly and is just comprised of me blabbing about my insignificant life and thoughts -after all, I am not Selena Gomez or any other high-profile woman that one should care about. But, it is better to blab and bring a voice of solidarity to something that nobody speaks about, than to sit and watch gloomy clouds all day, wondering how things will change. Things change from small efforts of virtue and determination. And I’m determined to make girls who are leaning into faith and femininity feel heard and understood. I’m here to be their friend, if nothing else.

What are the main pillars of Dreams of Tomorrow?

The main purpose of Dreams of Tomorrow is to address the stresses, fears, goals, and desires of feminine living in a modern world, no matter how frivolous these topics like these may sound. From ‘What colour of lipstick looks good on me?’ to ‘What is my God-given role as a lady?’, I endeavour to ask questions and answer them. I draw inspiration from my experiences as a Gen-Z girl, my faith, and exemplary media (i.e., books, films, magazines, articles, etc.). I also look into past civilizations and learn valuable lessons: whether it’s a cautionary tale or a tale of encouragement.

As the name suggests, Dreams of Tomorrow discusses all dreams of desires for a successful future as a 21st-century girl.

What has been your journey up till the making of this blog?

The invention of this blog was from a momentary inspiration. But as for writing, I’ve been in the business for a long time! I can also say the same about my femininity journey.

In a way, I am blessed to come from a region where femininity is a celebrated trait in women. Not to say that all women are in dresses and florals (in African contexts, the Western picture of femininity does not always apply), however, I grew up with a community, or a family at least, that celebrated every girlish thing about me. And I’m thankful, because my femininity is what’s central to me as a woman. As a personality trait, I would say that I am a stereotypical girl. However, I moved away from home and struggled with my image for a while, because it seems that society views women-things a little differently here. Before I knew it, I felt so lonely. My Catholic faith provided me with strength at times to deal with the ostracization of my womanhood, but the case was well… the case.

So, I knew that starting a dedicated website for this topic was paramount. It may not be every woman’s cup of tea, but it certainly is mine. And I’m grateful to have that voice, because not many women do.

What is the most common misconception about femininity that you’d like to debunk?

Okay. It’s loud, and it’s glaring. It seems to me that femininity is now seen as something weak and too demure for an empowered 21st-century woman. After many revolutions in the past decades, I am not surprised, and I don’t blame people for thinking like this.

However, I don’t think that being a feminine woman takes anything away from you or makes you weak. Femininity is our essence. It mightn’t present as the same for every girl, still, it is akin to who we are as a person. Saying that womanhood is a synonym for weakness seems like a sort of self-loathing. I could not imagine hating the fact that I’m a woman. There’s nothing else for me to be but a woman. I’m proud to be feminine, and I think it’s something that girls should be proud of too. We always speak of how this world is ‘a man’s world’, but if I may ask, how are we helping it by demeaning our own womanliness?

What are your favourite ways of communicating your thoughts, especially when they are controversial?

In a world of excess politics, I have recently come to the conclusion that politicking has lost its charm -especially in the realm of this topic. At least for me, playing politics when discussing sensitive matters for women makes me walk away. I have recently come to realize this, and I’m now aiming to make my speech and writing less political.

We live in a society where everybody’s throwing tomatoes and mashed potatoes at each other. And we’re so engrossed in politics that we forget the small conversations that really matter -the small differences that make life worth it.

Let’s face it, the thesis of this blog is quite controversial, especially in the Western world. But I find that talking less about politics and more about apologetics is what matters. If femininity is beautiful, and it is, I discuss it in a meaningful way -with logic, reason, personal stories, and empathy.

For those who can talk politics, by all means, let them talk. But there’s a lot of brokenness out there. And more politics is doing little to solve it.

Who would you name as the most influential person you look up to?

I would not be Catholic if I did not mention Mary, the Mother of Christ (or as we call her, The Mother of God). She is not only God’s masterpiece, but also a perfect role model of femininity to me as a Catholic girl. I look up to her, and I ask her to make me as similar to her as possible every day. The more I am like her, the more Christ will be delighted with me.

Apart from Saints in heaven, I like to find role models in some of the women who surround me daily. Many of them are better than me in feminine character, and I always seek to emulate them. For now, I do not really have a famous woman that I can spotlight as a role model for me. But if one stands out, I’ll let you know!

What are your most interesting hobbies?

Writing unpublished books! Although after many tries, there is one on the way to being published now, thank the Lord! You can check more info on that on my books page.

When I’m not writing or daydreaming about writing, I read (mainly fairytales, classics, or spiritual books). I also like to make Pinterest mood boards about feminine inspo. I cook, watch films, bake, pray, listen to lots of podcasts and audiobooks, talk to friends over tea, swipe for new recipes online, mend worn-out stockings, and I recently got into knitting, but that project has been dormant for… a while.

How did you get into writing?

I can hardly believe this myself, but I was not always a writer or a reader. Having been born in 2004, in the boom of technology, I often thought to myself: ‘ Why read a boring book, when you can just watch TV?’

But, in my teens, I went to boarding school. With all technology banned, there was only one way to stay entertained during those endless hours of mandated study: Write stories, if you can’t watch them. I began writing pen-on-paper fairytales as past-times. Before I knew it, I got into reading and writing actual books as I got older. None of them has been published, and they should stay that way!

But who knew all those years of self-teaching in writing could get me this far? Now I have an opinion blog and a book on the way to being published!

What is the best book (fiction or not) you’ve read?

Hmmm… A hard one, indeed. Since I am more of a literary classicist, I will say that the best books I’ve read are The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis and Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, fiction-wise. The best non-fiction books I’ve read are the writings of some of the Catholic Saints, namely St. Alphonsus de Ligouri, St. John Vianney, and St. John Henry Newman. There are many more, but these, I would say, are my stellar choices.

What do people stand to get from engaging with you in your blog?

Friendship and team-spirit!

I’m Gen-Z. As at the time of this writing, I’m 21 yrs-going-on-22 yrs. I’m a Catholic girl. And I understand. With the relatively short amount of years I’ve lived, I really do. This blog was made with the first intention of making friends with fellow women in a tight spot. How does a girl embrace her femininity and a slower life pace in a world where time, rigour, and productivity are everything? Believe it or not, girl, you can still succeed, even at a slower pace. I once heard that the world today mainly operates on a day-and-night cycle, which is a rhythm that men follow. But women follow a four-component monthly or lunar cycle, in accord with our menstrual phases.

In other words, our cycles are longer, require more change, and, in effect, more thought-processing. According to this rhythm, I think we are wired to seek reflection all the time, irrespective of personality. And our femininity lies in perfect sync with this.

So, let’s be bold to talk about and reflect on anything. Even if reading my blog is nothing but a wind-down mechanism for you, go ahead. And of course, you can always chat with me. The contact form is there for you.

Yours sincerely,

Christine.