Life & Work with Lydia Bielfeldt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Bielfeldt.

Hi Lydia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a 22-year old content creator, travel blogging has always been a dream of mine. During COVID, I traveled more than ever when flights were cheap and classes were online, to the point that I was constantly asked if I still went to school. Fast forward to today, I have hit every major city in the past year, I am in my last semester of college, I have a full-time job lined up, and I started content creating on the side.

When I recently came across the Gallatin Hotel in East Nashville, my friends and I decided it would be the perfect place for our content creators’ trip. The hotel agreed to a free stay in return for content and the next thing we knew, the four of us were driving out of an Illinois blizzard to Nashville, Tennessee. Within 48 hours, we jam-packed our agenda to hit as many places as possible. As a result, we created enough content to make it seem like we were there for weeks.

My 48 hours in Nashville that weekend did more for me than I ever could have expected. The TikToks I created during my trip quickly gained 2.2M and 1M views. The next thing I knew, people were asking me where to stay, eat, drink, shop, and more. I had more opportunities open up than ever before. As my emails flooded in, I was surprised that my reach has gone so far as to have publications such as this magazine ask for my story.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In reality, my content creation began in grade school when I began making YouTube videos. I have always been creative at heart and took pride in making videos teaching others DIYs or activities. One video even blew up and I was so excited to have fan pages dedicated to me and to be the 5th Google Search result.

This creative outlet was quickly shut down when I got to high school and my channel became the class joke. To save me any further embarrassment, I quickly deleted all the videos so no one could find them again… not even me. No matter how awkward my younger self was in those videos, I still kick myself for deleting them permanently just because I was ashamed at the moment.

When I started embracing content creation again in college, I told myself the only way you can get anywhere is if you’re doing it for yourself and not seeking approval from your critics. But when you start doing well, the critics don’t have much to say anymore.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am studying Advertising with a minor in Art & Design at the University of Illinois.

While my career will be going into Amazon Advertising as an Account Representative, creating will always be my passion on the side. That is how I achieve Ikigai – the balance between what I love doing and what I get paid for doing. If you try to make a living off what you love, it can become a burden, but if work is your entire life, you lose sight of your passion.

I dedicate time and energy to both my career and my passion, and that is what sets me apart from others,

How do you define success?
Success means you are making something better. Regardless of income or title, you are doing your best in your position and your effort makes an impact.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiabielfeldt/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lydiabielfeldt