Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Thorpe.
Lauren, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
What started it all was making a serious effort for myself to grow and heal from painful events I’ve experienced in my identity, confidence, beliefs, and relationships. Early on LoTality was just an online diary but I found myself making it public when I saw that my stories and the stories of others helped community and encouraged people to share in vulnerability and truth as a way to open up space in community for understanding, peace, and love between ALL people. I started writing and blogging during my sophomore year in college and I’ve fallen in love with it. I actually hated writing but did this as a way to stretch myself and out of obedience and it has been one of the greatest decisions of my life. Not only has it been a source of relief and purpose for myself but a place of comfort and relatability for others.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It is never an easy or smooth road. I started this blog while in the middle of an abusive relationship, one of the hardest years of my college experience and in the middle of finding myself and on top of all of that it is never easy to be vulnerable about situations and feelings that may feel triggering but it’s worth it. I didn’t just start this blog to be honest with people but to learn how to be brutally honest with myself. This blog challenges my thoughts, feelings, and perspective every day. I constantly have to encounter and address how my lived experiences got me to where I am today, how I see things, and how I respond to them. Healing is never linear. Healing is cyclical and reoccurring and not always graceful. It can be painful and triggering but it is satisfying. This blog and brand is heart work and whenever you combine the two, it can get a little messy but always rewarding. I really want my blog to show my authenticity and growth. I make sure that even in the order of my blog posts, my readers can see the progression of my thoughts and that in itself is humbling.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with LoTality – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
LoTality came to life in 2017, in my sophomore year at Spelman College. It just started off as an online diary but now it has turned into a branded lifestyle. LoTality is a blog and creative platform that hopes to create conversation spread the importance of universal and unconditional love, and establish a community of healthy transparency and support. In my friend groups and in my community, I am known for how I love and my vulnerability and my blog platform is utilized to encourage people to love others and most importantly themselves well. This brand isn’t big but it is a movement that people day by day join and become aware of. LoTality is to encourage any reader of any age, race, family background, social status, or gender to take risks in your personal, professional, and dream life to get you to live your best life. LoTality is also a place of creativity. My first film project on Black Love (found on my IGTV) was birthed because of LoTality because my blog caused me to evolve and lead my heart and creativity to a screen. Black Love Redefined was truly a timely project that released in the month of May 2020 to highlight how Black Love is redefined through family, friends, and community and how those vital relationships transcend time and space. I decided to join it with LoTality because I realized that I create all projects from a similar inspirational place. It was my blog that opened the doors to documentary film making.
So LoTality is not only a brand and creative platform but a way of living. The name comes from my nickname, Lo and the word “Totality” which means “the whole of something”. So every day this blog is a reminder to myself and others to live with intent and purpose. I believe what sets me apart from other bloggers is that I tell of stories that make people want to dig deeper, dream bigger, and love better. By telling my truth, I open up space for people to seek and dive into self-discovery and everything attached to them. This blog is about discovering and remembering to keep living in the fullness of who we are called to be on this earth.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans for the future are to keep writing, & filming, keep storytelling, and never look back. Some day I will turn LoTality into a full brand with many layers that will serve all types of communities. It will expand from just writing and will include more of my other form of storytelling, filmmaking and podcasts. There will be a t-shirt and accessories line, a place for others to tell their stories, and a non-profit attached to it that will give middle school and highschool children the push to dream and create in every possible way. It will be a source of income and philanthropy. There will be books, events, and tours to encourage women on how to love themselves and others well. LoTality will ultimately be a place of safety and vulnerability for everyone. Expansion is definitely coming in the beautiful timing of God.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Lotality.com
- Email: Lcthorpe2@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lo.tality/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.thorpe.94
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lo_Tality
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