For 16 months I have been blogging about my interests, learnings, and experiences with the Great Lakes. Today I’m sharing about a recent decision made after much thought and deliberation.

I have lived a life of the “joy of missing out” regarding social media (JOMO – this is actually a thing). I don’t particularly like social media. I have a lot of concerns about the way that it is shaping the human experience.

However, looking back at my 39 blog posts, my experiences as an Ambassador with the Alliance for the Great Lakes, and conversations with friends and family, I think that I have important and worthwhile messages to share about the Great Lakes and this region.

In my first post on February 8, 2023, I stated that: “The goal of my blog is to inspire love and respect for the Great Lakes. They are, simply, one of the most tremendous natural resources on earth.”

This is absolutely true, and environmental advocacy remains one of my main goals. However, I’ve realized there’s another goal of my blog, and that is economic development. We need more young people to stay or move here to the Great Lakes region. I find myself motivated by the idea of inspiring others to see that you can make a good life here.

I’m not going to lean too heavily into the selling point of the region as a climate refuge; see my post on this debate and a separate one on the impact of climate change on the Great Lakes. But we do have a moderating climate, less weather disasters, and a heck of a lot of freshwater compared to some other regions of the country.

The Great Lakes region needs to shed the declining rust belt reputation and birth a new one. We need to restore dignity to the place and the people. I believe the lakes themselves can help do this. 

Social media platforms offer the tools to share these messages, especially if I want to reach the 18-50 year old demographic. I talked through my hesitations about taking my Great Lakes content to social media with one of my best friends. Her subtly brilliant response: Maybe consider social media. The Great Lakes would certainly thank you for doing it.

You know what? I think they would. 

I think that if they could tweet, post, or share, the Great Lakes’ message would be: 

We have been here and will be here. 

We have something good, and pure, to offer the world. 

Come see us. We’d love to see you.

If you are social media engaged, please now follow me and share my content on Instagram at loveourgreatlakes.

#loveourgreatlakes; #greatlakes; #greatlakesrevisited; #greatlakeslove; #greatlakesstates