Welcome to Honest Conversations

A space where authentic conversations spark deeper connections

For anyone who has ever experienced extreme writer's block, this space is for you.

You might know me as the Girl in Florence, a Texan turned Tuscan who keeps you up-to-date with everything happening in the beautiful city of Florence, Italy.

Since creating this brand in 2012 - literally how has it been so long?!, I’ve been fiercely protective of the blog. It means so much to me to share my story and support the local community by featuring them on this platform without having to sacrifice my own values in order for a quick buck, which hasn’t always been easy when you come from the lower socioeconomic background that I do.

Thanks to the blog, I’ve been able to do some incredible things—working for various magazines, refining my communications background for brands, and truly feeling like a person at the forefront of the digital era. In 2021, the blog was even awarded a coveted community prize from Lonely Planet and that was a true accomplishment for me, of feeling like all of the work meant something and was seen by the wider world.

Then COVID happened. We moved to Switzerland. We had a baby after suffering a devastating loss. My father passed unexpectedly in early 2022. Then we moved again (back to Florence last year).

Suffice it to say, a lot has happened in the past few years, and the struggle to keep it all together has often overwhelmed me. Self-doubt has been ever-present in my life, and as someone naturally introspective and cautious, this has weighed heavily on me on not always having the answer to “what now?” and “what next?”

Writer’s block can feel like an invisible barrier, a heavy weight that paralyzes your creative flow. Ideas that once sparked excitement become trapped in a fog of uncertainty, while self-doubt creeps in.

The blank blog post or Google Doc seems to mock your inability to produce. Ideas still come to me in the shower (so typical yet so true) but putting them into fruition is another story.

The more you push, the deeper the frustration becomes, turning the once-enjoyable act of writing into a daunting task. I’ve been guilty of feeling this way for a very long time. It's demotivating, as every attempt feels fruitless, leaving you questioning your abilities. Over time, the pressure to write becomes overwhelming, and the desire to even try fades.

That’s why I thought, screw it.

Let’s take a breath.

Without overthinking what comes next, I want to get back to the simple act of just writing—being present and open, which is what I love most.

I’ll keep the blog alive and continue to share tips (I’m currently working on some downloadable PDF guides because your girl has been out and about), but this space here on Substack is for honest conversations.

If you’d like to share, please do. I’ve missed having a safe, open forum for connection.

Sometimes the internet, especially social media, can feel like a wild west of a place and since having my daughter, I’ve become much less inclined to engage with the crazy. I’m more protective now but that’s probably wise considering.

That being said so many of the wonderful people in my life, I’ve met thanks to the blog, instagram and the good ol’ days of pre-Elon twitter. It has helped me through some of the darkest times in life and I’m very appreciative of the real connections I’ve made online turned offline.

All this to say thank you for joining me here and giving me a space to truly be myself and share everything. Let’s give it a go..