Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Sok.
Monica, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
This will seem like a convoluted story to how I got to my current day blog but here we go!
Writing has been something that has been a crucial part of my life since I was a second grader. It’s gotten me through the best and worst of times and as I developed an interest in food and travel, I could not help but think, why not share my passions through words?’ Thus, began my blog several years ago.
My blog has gone through a lot of transformation throughout the years. It started as a personal blog for me to document my first travel adventures when I made my first journey abroad to Europe back as a college sophomore. It then morphed into a place for me to safely express my thoughts about medicine and ethical issues as I ventured through the journey of medical school.
As I expanded my blog into the public eye, I decided to add new aspects of my writing – food reviews and little things. Little things has been a hobby of mine ever since undergrad when I ran across a little things blog. Now what is a little thing? It’s a common question I get from a lot of people. It’s basically things or moments or feelings that happen throughout your day that makes your day better but you may not consciously recognize it. Example: Stepping into an air-conditioned room after being outside on a hot day. Based off that blog, I started an e-mail list to my family and friends and over the years, I have added the little things I have discovered in my life and now I am sharing my list with the public!
Now my website has taken on a new face and a new focus – on the things in life that are the pieces of my pie of happiness. The blog focuses on four things: little things, food, travel and medicine. I know what everyone is thinking – wow, another food and travel blogger. Yes! But, I am hoping to re-invent the wheel by the way I write things, the information I’m providing and adding a little something extra to my blog with my focus on The Little Things.
This is my way of giving back to my local community and the world – by hoping that my writings will let my readers walk away feeling renewed and re-inspired about life!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not. By no means is my blog something that is well known and I’ve had a lot of challenges in the form of writer’s block and life events that have interfered with posting regularly.
The key to running a successful blog is regular posts and with medical school and now residency, it’s been a challenge. I think over the years though, I have learned that it is important for me to have my time to be on my own and to journal for a while and I hope this will lead to a more active blog now. Not to mention, it helps that I am writing about the subjects that I love – that is easy for me to spill out words and easy for me to get out and do!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Rattana Chronicles – what should we know?
My business is an inspiration blog. A daily cup of happiness for my readers is how I describe it. Each day, a new post is uploaded according to the theme of the day – little things, food, travel or medicine.
It is my hope that readers can take what they want from this blog and let the words and photography inspire them to live life in a better way or use it as a way to cheer themselves up.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Persistence. It’s a struggle to get something like this off the ground and into the public eye. You have to be okay being vulnerable with your feelings knowing others will read it and despite the many failures that face you, you have to remind yourself that your work is worth it. Writing about my hobbies and photographing them makes it easier for me to keep going because I simply love it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rattanachronicles.com
- Email: rattanachronicles@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rattanachronicles/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rattanachronicles/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=Y3yeq2AHIO0dZOCSJ0X7eQ
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