by Ellie Faye
Welcome to Soul Eats First!
Origin Story
Have you ever heard of the saying “Camera eats first” ? Once upon a time I lived by that. And it left me with cold food and missing moments of beauty and stillness.
Soul Eats First is a play on that saying. And it means exactly what it says.
This idea was born years ago while I was traveling with my dear friend. I had been growing my social accounts for a few years at the time, documenting nearly every part of every trip. I was always out to get the best shot for the ‘gram that I could. Hundreds and hundreds of photos just to get one good one for socials.
Until a meltdown in Mykonos over not getting a good photo, hating how I was looking in said photo, and a great talk with my friend brought me back down to earth.
You’re here once. In this beautiful place, in this beautiful country, watching this beautiful sunset. Why are we wasting time trying to get the perfect photo of ourselves? Because I felt the pressure to perform for others on the internet. I had to get the content. I had to deliver to keep up. Amongst other things.
Today
Since then, my relationship with social media has changed significantly. I haven’t sworn off taking photos or documenting life. I love taking photos, I love traveling to beautiful places, and I love a good selfie. I’ve just grown and gone deeper into my journey. I keep things closer to the chest these days, I live a more private life that’s not displayed on social media for the world to see. And I love that transition. It’s not about doin’ it for the ‘gram anymore. It’s about doing it for me. For my soul. It’s about enjoying the food before it gets cold, it’s about watching the sunset with your own two eyes instead of spending half the time trying to get the perfect photo with your back to the view. It’s also about finding me again.
And who am I? Someone that is passionate about travel absolutely, but also someone that has lived a life, and continues to live a life, beyond travel. Ellie ≠ travel blogger. Ellie is ever-changing. Ellie is allowed to grow and move beyond what she once was.
Currently, Ellie is a Virgo, a yogi and Pilates princess, a traveler, a Fortniter, a cat lover, an oldest sister and daughter, a partner, a bonus mom, a woman in her 30s.
One thing Ellie has always been and will always be is… a soul searcher. Always on a journey to learn, grow, go deeper, express, and become a better version of herself. That’s why I fell in love with travel to begin with. For how it made me feel, helped me grow, and gave me new perspectives
What’s SEF all about?
Here, on Soul Eats First, I’m documenting that journey by sharing my thoughts, reflections, opinions, experiences, questions, and whatever else may come up.
No boxes here. Who knows what this will become, but for now, I’m exploring something new :)
This is for me, but if you find something here for you too, a little inspiration or whatever it may be, I’m happy you found your way here.