Reader Responses to Influence.

Lauren has been one of my biggest inspirations since I started editing. I remember recreating her edits when I was just starting out—she made me fall in love with the craft. Reading this gave me chills because it resonates so deeply with my own path. I left medicine in October to pursue motion design full-time, and although I’m still far from where I want to be and have no financial support (since no one agreed with me leaving med), I’ve been building from zero. Now I’m getting commissions, running a nonprofit studio to teach new editors, gaining leadership experience—all while working toward my dream of studying at Brown. Seeing someone like Lauren, who also left pre-med at Brown and built a creative career with structure, community, and impact, gives me so much hope. She’s proof that carving your own path is worth it, no matter what anyone else says. Truly inspiring.

I do not like the term influencer but I do like the activity. One of my sons has produced blogs for many years and I enjoy helping him make some of them and watching others. Training oneself to produce blogs is, at worst, an enjoyable hobby and, at best, an enjoyable way to earn an income. Best of all, it does give a person the opportunity to make a difference in the world.