THE BACKSTORY
Hi! I’m Mariah, your new go-to girl for helping you level up your mindset, and in turn, your life. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a writer at heart. From my middle school years (2010–2013) onward, people in my life have come to me for inspiration and insight when they’ve needed it most. In both verbal and written forms, I’ve given them what they eventually coined as “WOW”, which stands for “words of wisdom”. However, it has a double meaning, as the acronym reflects how they feel in response to these words.
When someone asks me for advice, I generally don’t blatantly tell them what to do or what decision to make. Rather, I provide my perspective to affirm, support, guide, inspire, and empower them. I help them get into a better headspace, which naturally leads them to act and live accordingly. Giving “WOW” has always been incredibly fulfilling for me. One of the most gratifying feelings for me is knowing that my words have made a positive impact on someone. That’s how I know that this is something I’m meant to do.
For years, I contemplated how to best channel this passion of mine on a larger scale, possibly through my career. I considered studying to become a guidance counselor, then switched gears and majored in education, but nothing quite felt right. I came to realize that my passion was fairly niche; something that couldn’t be fully unleashed through a traditional career path. It wasn’t until the increasing popularity of content creation in the early 2020s that my wheels started turning. The possibilities felt endless, and I felt more inspired than ever. After lots of brainstorming, planning and writing, I finally started turning my plans into reality with this blog!
THE NAME ORIGIN STORY
As for the blog’s name, the wise owl (AKA “WOWL”) has been my spirit animal for as long as I’ve been giving “WOW”. In fact, it was my Halloween costume in my freshman year of high school! I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate “WOW”, “WOWL”, or “wise owl” into the blog name. Eventually, I came up with this remixed version of the popular expression, “a little birdie told me”. As someone who loves a good play on words, it felt like a perfect match!
THE MISSION
If you want to retrain your brain to see yourself and your life in a more positive, constructive way, you’ve come to the right place. I want to help you develop greater trust in yourself and in life’s processes, because that trust will change everything. I want to help you see the value in every chapter of your story, which will allow you to appreciate even the difficult times for the growth and lessons they impart. I want to help you create healthy balance in your life and mindset, because the overused “all or nothing” mentality just isn’t working. I want to help you step into your “2.0 self” by tapping into all that you already are. Come with an open mind and heart, and watch the strides you make.
Undergoing personal development can make us feel lost and lonely at times. However, personal development can also feel like rich, thought-provoking conversation with your best friend—that’s how I want to make it feel for you.
I can’t wait for you to be part of this journey with me!