Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Noel.
Cassandra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My social media journey began with sharing images of hiking with my husband Dave and wheaten terrier, Buddy, through the local parks and preserves in the South Shore area. Our daily routine of waking up, grabbing a coffee, walking on the beach, and taking day trips to different spots throughout New England seemed fascinating to some people and what felt like overnight, we developed a sort of following. I focused on making my Instagram gallery entirely about coastal living and being outdoors- from the middle of summer to the middle of winter, we’re out enjoying it with the most positive attitude possible!
Instagram has been a really networking incredible tool, I’ve been able to easily connect with other photographers and outdoorsy creatives who share the same passions for outdoors and photography, really incredible people that I never would have met otherwise. What started as a hobby has really become a huge part of our lives- we spend hours pouring over maps, looking at AllTrails.com trying to find unique, scenic spots to explore and share. New England is so scenic and rich in history, there is never a shortage of places to check out. We’ve been all over New England, from Ferrisburg, Vermont to the cliffs of Naragansett RI in spots we never would have found if it weren’t for people reaching out and wanting to meet us. We are so, so lucky!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Finding a healthy balance between social media and the ‘real world’ is a struggle when so much of my life has become about, well, social media! I encourage others to put down the phone, disconnect and get outdoors, but sometimes even for myself it’s a challenge. It is so important to get back to being in the moment, remembering that time before a cell phone buzz could rip us from whatever moment we are in and retraining our brains to ignore the buzz and be okay with getting to it later. My generation doesn’t know a time without cell phones and it seems like they have become part of our wiring. There is a subtle anxiety that pushes us feel like we have to respond to every message immediately to or check in, and I find that on days when I designate certain ‘check in’ times my day is more peaceful. It can be hard to notice how beautiful the world around us is with interruptions and distractions of technology! I feel like so many of us have forgotten that just being out observing nature is as entertaining a pastime as checking Facebook can be.
And there is always the more classic problem with social media, which is negativity. To anyone, especially young women, I’d ask them to really evaluate if this is something they want to get elbow deep in. You can never assume how someone, friend or stranger, will react to what you post. Be kind, be original, take every criticism with a grain of salt, and focus on the positive reactions. The great majority of interactions I have been positive, but be prepared for pushback when it comes.
What should we know about your business? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Beyond the obvious ocean/outdoor theme, I am addicted to positivity! I am determined to keep my social media life a positive place, and I think that shows. I try and match words with pictures that accentuate or enhance the mood of the image. I spend more time on that than I’d like to admit!
I also make a concentrated effort to respond to all comments and messages sent my way. My goal is to inspire others to get outdoors and rediscover the world around and that doesn’t come from ignoring messages and emails from people looking for advice. I get a lot of questions about how I make this lifestyle work, favorite spots to go, and a lot of questions about incorporating our dogs, Buddy and Maple, into our journeys. Connection is a huge part of why I have gotten so involved in Instagram. If I can make someone’s day a little brighter or help encourage someone to try a new park or travel to a town they’ve never been to, that is my reward. I’d like to think that’s maybe what sets me apart from other ‘instagrammers’. We’re all in this wild ride together, no life is perfect but why not make it as beautiful as possible?
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Definitely. I was not a well child, I had some chronic illnesses that made me sickly, housebound, and unable to keep up with kids my own age for the first 10 years of my life. My father would take my sister and I for hikes on local trails through the woods, my mother took us to the beach all summer, and both of my parents loved to travel. Both places made me feel so at peace and full of joy. Being out in the world, feeling like a part of it and not someone who is just watching it really lifted my spirits.
As an adult I have a restlessness about me, I really struggle to find contentment indoors. I have an inner push that pressures me to get outside and feel the sun every morning. I have been able to enjoy good health for the last 10 years of my life and good health is something you don’t take for granted if you’ve ever not had it. I think my drive to be in the moment and squeezing every ounce of opportunity from the day has benefitted me throughout my life, despite the hardship that may have caused me to be this way. Nothing is more motivating than good health after not having it!
Contact Info:
- Email: CassandraNoelIG@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/casseacoastal
Image Credit:
Lauren Hawkins Photography
Sokkha Photography
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