Today we’d like to introduce you to Beckie-Ann Galentine.
Hi Beckie-Ann, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated mortuary school in January of 2020, just months shy of the pandemic. I had always been interested in cemeteries and hauntings and grew up in a mom & pop antique store, but the isolation of the pandemic propelled me into looking into a socially distant travel blog. Instead of finding myself in the company of other people, I’d spend time searching for ghosts while highlighting local restaurants and businesses that deserved the recognition.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Ultimately, my greatest challenge was maintaining a dual lifestyle. I was working over 40 hours a week at a secure day job with benefits, but my passions were calling me. I started using my sick days to film documentaries. It finally hit a head – had I not left and taken the risk, I’d have never had the experiences I did this past year. Preserving a humble attitude and taking criticisms with grave is a massive hurdle. When people see you having success, they want to throw something in the cog. When they lose the ability to control your placement, they become venomous. I think it’s important to be realistic and assess your relationships with folks while also acknowledging that people are going to criticize you solely for your successes.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a digital content creator that sparks discussion about the beauty and mystery of the afterlife. I share stories of grief throughout history and discuss the possibility of the existence of the paranormal. I approach all of this with the lens of a mortician that has sat down with families who have grieved a loss, knowing how important it is to leave the dignity of those we discuss intact. My platform has allowed me to highlight small and local businesses and watching individuals and locations gain thousands of followers after I visit makes me really proud.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
You’re going to have challenging days -there are days where methods don’t work or things you’ve invested a ton into don’t pan out. You have to continue but it’s also okay if you need to set a day or two aside to decompress. Your audience will want to live vicariously through you, and I understand there is an innate pressure to fulfill their interest in consuming new content daily, but you’re human. Go at your own pace – there are people with plenty more followers than me and more viral videos, but I manage to exist in my space the way I need to be.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mybloodygalentine
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mybloodygalentine
- Twitter: twitter.com/beckiegalentine/
Image Credits
Beckie-Ann Galentine
