Textile Reverie Blog
Nice Guys Finish Last, Mean Girls Make it to Bryant Park | 20 Life Lessons Learned from Watching 20 Years of Project Runway
I am a huge fan of Project Runway. From the very first moment of the very first episode I was absolutely hooked. I can honestly say that I have never missed a single minute of a single Project Runway episode from its first season in 2004 to the most current season finale. Keep in mind this show started before Netflix, Hulu, Prime video or any other popular streaming platform ever came to be. I was a dedicated fan, racing to and from the restroom or the kitchen in between commercial breaks with olympic level timing and precision. I've watched every episode of Project Runway many, many times. It's one of my top 3 comfort shows. It was upon my most recent umpteenth rewatch that I found myself contemplating the many valuable lessons that I have learned over the last 20 years of watching Project Runway.
Don't Finish the Sandwich | How to Make a Life Pivot When Things No Longer Feel Aligned
Have you ever taken a bite of a sandwich and realized — mid-chew — that it’s just not it?
Maybe the bread is stale. Maybe the filling is off. Or maybe, you’re just not into it the way you thought you’d be. But what do most of us do? We keep eating. We power through. Why? Because we started it. Because it would be a “waste” not to. Because we don’t want to seem picky, indecisive, or “ungrateful.”
But let’s rethink this:
Finishing the wrong sandwich is a waste of calories. Finishing the wrong path is a waste of time, energy, and your life.
If you’re on a path — in your career, a relationship, a business, or even a passion project — and it no longer feels aligned, energizing, or right for you, it’s not a weakness to stop. It’s courage. It’s strength. And it’s the beginning of something better.
How to Cultivate a Personal Brand Without Losing Yourself
Whether we realize it or not, we’re always performing. Every interaction, every choice of words, even the way we present ourselves on social media is part of the story we’re telling the world.
Think about it:
-At work, you might be the dependable leader who keeps projects afloat.
-In your friend group, you may slip into the role of the comedian, always lightening the mood.
-In dating, maybe you’ve found yourself cast as the over-giver, constantly proving your worth.
-At home, you might be the quiet observer, recharging in solitude.
These are roles we play—sometimes intentionally, sometimes unconsciously. The first step in cultivating your personal brand is simply this: take inventory of your current role. Who are you presenting to the world right now? Is it authentic, or is it just the mask you’ve been wearing?
What’s in a (Brand) Name? How to Build a Brand That Feels Like You
We understand how overwhelming it can be to name a new project or business.
You want it to sound right. Look good. Mean something. Be memorable. Be available. (And don’t even get started on the dot-com.)
But here’s the truth most people won’t tell you:
Your brand isn’t built on a name.
It’s built on clarity.
Clarity about who you are.
Clarity about who you’re here to serve.
Clarity about the experience you want people to have when they encounter your work.
Without that, even the most clever name will fall flat.
So before you pull out the thesaurus or search Instagram for inspiration, slow down.
Let’s start with what matters most—building a brand that reflects your identity, your values, and your vision. The right name will follow.