This post is part of a weekly feature called the Passion Series…enjoy!

We talk a lot about our passions, but many times that’s all it is. Talk. And talking can get tiring. Hell, even thinking about the things we are passionate about can get tiring, because they’re never put into action. And action from passion is what makes us come alive.

The following is a touching story about Shana Manuel, and the action behind her passion. Before Shana started her blog, Culture Weekend, she had a passion for discovering international culture within local communities, and didn’t quite know how to make a career out of it. Like myself, she had to take a moment to reflect on what made her truly happy, bite the bullet and go for it.

So like the rest of us, she started a blog. Culture Weekend revolves around Shana’s diverse 48-hour ‘staycations’ in New York, as she explores dozens of international places to ‘travel’ to all within her local community. It’s quite the trip! And I’ve never read anything like it. She writes all about her explorations and the dozens of cultural things you can do within a single local community. It’s cool to see how much culture you can absorb in one place without having to pay hundreds of dollars for an international flight, if you know what I mean. (They should build an Australia in L.A.).

I’m not sure if you’re headed out to New York any time soon, but this gal is the expert on cultural places to visit. I really had no idea how diverse New York was, and I love discovering unique, niche blogs like this that keep me knee-deep in new and useful information.

Here’s what she had to say. (Some of my favorite lines are bolded for emphasis.)

Has blogging helped you in any emotional or creative way?

Prior to blogging, I had no idea how to apply my interests in exploring international cultures into a tangible job.  One day, after reflecting over the reasons why I picked up and moved to New York after completing my graduate studies in North Carolina, it hit me.  I moved to New York for the area’s rich cultural diversity; however, after living here for several years, all I had done was drown out my true passions with work in an industry that wasn’t the best fit for me. Following many personal challenges, I was forced to question my path in life.  Ultimately, this reflection led me back to my true passion, which I had set aside on a shelf for years and allowed to collect dust.  Blogging enables me to share my passion for exploring international culture within local communities in a way that no other platform can.  Blogging is my primary outlet for creativity.   

Has blogging daily/weekly helped you achieve any personal goals?

After leaving the corporate world and staying at home with my son, I felt off schedule.  I missed having work-related deadlines and assignments outside of naps, extracurricular activities for the kids, feedings and diaper changes.  Blogging has given my life the structure I crave.  Blogging helps me to feel alive again, dedicated to a cause.  I treat my blog and the work that goes into it from coding, social media, emails, classes, and conferences as a real job!   

Does the ritual of daily/weekly blogging give you motivation to pursue things you are passionate about?

Blogging has me thinking more from an entrepreneurial perspective.  I’ve recently turned my blog into a business and work daily to grow it into an authoritative site for information on all things international and local!  

Thank you so much for being a part of my series, Shana! It’s been a pleasure sharing your extremely unique passion with my readers.

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This post is part of a series on bloggers who have found direction or passion through blogging. If you would like to be featured in the Passion Series, please contact me through this form with responses to the above questions, and share your passions. Thanks! See all Passion Series posts >>

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Monique Muro

Monique is an exceedingly happy human from LA. She runs the blog A Novel Quest, and writes. A lot.

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