Hi {{ first name | Raleigh Lover}}!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we want to show up for Raleigh.

Running This is Raleigh is one of the greatest joys of my life, but if I’m honest, it’s not always easy on the emotions. There’s the constant temptation to look sideways, compare yourself to others, and wonder if you’re doing it all wrong. There’s frustration when others cut corners — flying drones where they’re not supposed to, skipping partner disclosures, or disrespecting the very community we love. And there’s disheartenment that can come with social media — when even a simple post celebrating our hometown sparks arguments in the comments, or when endless requests for support come in without much awareness of what we can realistically give.

It can all feel heavy. Some days it makes me want to quit.

But then I walk into a small business we’ve shared, and the owner lights up with gratitude. I see the ripple effect of connection and community that we’ve helped spark. And in that moment, I remember exactly why we do this.

That’s when I reset back into my own lane.

Because the truth is: I can’t control how anyone else shows up. I can only control how I do.

And how I want to show up for Raleigh is simple — as a spark of joy.

I want to remind you that despite the noise and chaos of the world, there are still beautiful moments waiting to be created. There are good people all around us who want to celebrate, explore, and connect.

For me, integrity matters. I’m not going to break rules, disrespect the environment, or chase a viral moment. I don’t care about viral. I care about value, longevity, and purpose.

Not everything we share will be perfect, and that’s okay. Experiences are subjective, and we’ll always do our best to highlight the positives without tearing others down. If something just isn’t for us, we won’t humiliate it publicly. That’s not who we are.

We’ll still open up fun and relevant community discussions — like where to find the best hot dog or the roads we all love to hate — because those conversations connect us. But we’ll do it with kindness, respect, and a willingness to listen.

Lately, I’ve been practicing silence over snark when rude comments appear. I never know what someone else is carrying, and I want to honor that while still speaking up when real unkindness crosses the line.

At the end of the day, my intention is always to serve Raleigh in the highest and best way I can. I’ll fail sometimes, but I’ll learn, grow, and keep coming back to light, joy, and happiness.

Because there’s already enough darkness out there.
And joy… well, that’s our lane. 🌸

Caroline

P.S. We have a $100 gift card giveaway to Anthony’s La Piazza Italian restaurant in Downtown Raleigh. Click here to enter.

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