On Coming Home from Martha's Vineyard and Leaving the 'Shoulds' Behind Us

I've just spent the weekend on Martha's Vineyard with my boyfriend, Trevor. Now we're on the ferry, heading back to the mainland—sleepy, yet so fulfilled.

Every time I visit this island, I am swept away by the charming storefronts lining Edgartown's quaint streets. The daffodils are in bloom, and it seems the locals on the island are bracing themselves—ever so slowly—for the busy summer season soon approaching.

A few things have changed since my last visit.

I no longer live in Boston and have settled into a new home, in a new city, working on some new projects, and living with the man who has become my best friend.

Safe to say, life has changed. I have changed.

"This is Anna 2.0," my bookkeeper told me a few days ago.

I laughed, "What does that mean?"

"You're just calmer. More intentional."

Yeah—I feel that. I spend less time on social media and more time writing. I still create content, but share less of my life on Instagram Stories compared to how I used to.

For a long time, I felt guilty about this.

"You should post on TikTok and Instagram every single day," I told myself. Although deep down, I knew that wasn't the answer, and I resented that it wasn't.

After working with hundreds of people on their personal brand, here's what I know for certain: Personal branding looks different in different seasons of our lives. Sometimes, it looks like experimenting with daily content to find what works best (in the beginning, this is really important)! And other times, it means choosing to double down on one thing so you can bring it to fruition.

Whichever boat you're in, practice leaving the "shoulds" behind you. There are no "shoulds" in personal branding. There is only choice. Your choice. On what to say, where to post, and which projects deserve your time and attention. No one can decide for you; it's up to you.

Please, never start a podcast, make a TikTok, or post to LinkedIn because you think you "should." Instead, do it because you actually want to—because you believe it will be good for you.

I'm not writing a book because I think I should, I'm writing a book because I can't think of anything more worthy of my time and affection. I want to write, and recognize that pursuing this project means saying no to less important things.

At the end of the day, it feels so freeing to let go of the "shoulds" —to do more of the things that bring us joy, that challenge us, tug on our heartstrings, and command our attention.

So, let me ask you this: What do you really want to be doing right now? Is there something you think you should be doing that you really don't want to be? Leave a comment and tell me.