Creators are the heart and soul of Tealfeed. As they continuously work towards feeding us more information every day, it's only fitting to bring out their journey for the world to know.

In this series “Creators Spotlight”, we are asking our creators about their journey. Watch out for them sharing their journey and getting candid with us.

Today we have with us Maria Meireles. Maria, Product designer at Farfetch, talks about her long-term career goals and shares how she found her way to writing.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life? What lessons did that person or those people teach you?

My biggest influences in life are always changing. I try to inspire myself in different people as I grew up and learned. Sometimes life requires a warrior as an inspiration, other times a monk. I’ve never been stuck to one or a pantheon of humans. Some of them stayed for a longtime, others were an inspiration for just a week.

Most of the time I inspire myself on fictional characters from books and games. As I’m reading or playing a game I get inspired by their spirit and will, being the hero or the villain -doesn’t matter, they keep me company and teach me something.

I think it’s a healthier way for me to find some guidance - I do not like to give that burden to real humans, I like to let humans be grey, confusing and magical as they are.

Tell us about your childhood, what was the best part? Is there any specific incident that has largely influenced the kind of person you are today?

My childhood was rather lonely, I spend a lot of time thinking that was a bad thing but it actually taught me how it can be quiet and peaceful the time you spend alone.

It was like I was preparing myself for this world of digital chaos and always changing information - I know the value of the balance between the vibrant energy and the time alone to think and maturate my ideas. It gave me confidence in silence.

Where is your hometown, and what was it like when you were young?

My hometown is rather small and I grew up between here and the closest city. I was really lucky to experience both different types of life while growing up - different people, different ideas and paces of life.

How important a role does content play in your life? Are you a full-time content creator? Why did you start creating content?

It’s really important. I started creating content as a way of expressing myself. I was in a phase where I was learning how to be a designer by myself.

I was taking so much information, inputs, and feedback from all around the world that I felt like I needed to assimilate it in someway.

And the way I found was through writing.

What’s that one aspect of being a content creator no one talks about?

I think it’s a bit weird but most of us are not native English speakers. And it can be really hard in the beginning to cross that confidence barrier.

What’s the most satisfying part of being a content creator?

Just to see your work not belonging to you anymore. When it’s published - it’s not mine, it belongs to the internet now. It’s really liberating.

What are you up to currently and what are your long-term career goals?

I’m working as a product designer for Farfetch for the back-office tools. I want to keep learning more and more. My company allows me to experiment with a lot of new ideas and

The best and newest on the business and technology; they are always something happening and a lot of people to meet and talk to about almost anything. Even during covid!

It has been amazing, in just a few months I’ve made design sprints, hackathons, creative challenges (to relax and boost creativity), and many other things. My goal in long term is to become a UX games designer. It’s been my dream to work in the industry since always.

What drives you to create content regularly?

I don’t create a lot regularly. It depends on the game I’m playing or on the free time I can have in my personal life.

What’s the most challenging part of being a content creator?

In the beginning, the fact that I don’t have a stable calendar to create content was kind of a challenge but being online and finding the right editors is key.

How do you make sure that you aren’t affected by nasty comments and negative things said about you?

If it’s constructive feedback I try to improve on the next article or start a conversation. If it’s nasty or an insult I just delete it.

I worked on customer service for some time and my supervisor always told me that if I don’t accept being mistreated in my personal life, I should not accept that anywhere - say no.

You deserve respect and should not need to ask for it. I still leave by that advice.

Anything else you would like our audience to know about you!

A fun fact. I’m the godmother of a turtle in a zoo.

Why did you start creating content on Tealfeed?

Just as a way to express me and assimilate knowledge, take what I’ve learned to the next step.

How would you want people to remember you?

I hope not about myself but I hope to bring something new and good to people. Even if they forget my name, I would like to stay as a small light on the day, a new idea to challenge an old assumption, the sound of a weird laugh.

What's success for you and when you would consider yourself to be successful?

When I’m in peace in my personal and professional life - when I like what is happening and I see a clear path in front of me.

Who’s your favourite creator? Why?

I don’t have a favourite one. I always like when people show me someone new with new and fresh ideas. Just people being themselves.

To every individual who’s planning to start out as a content creator, what would you like to advise them?

Trust yourself and take your time.