Miss Independent

Jul 3

Camryn is a third year student with a major in business economics and law and a minor in english. Born and raised in Red Deer, Alberta, Camryn loves the thrill of the big city after ditching small town life. She was a passionate member of WIB from 2023-2024, and is excited to be back as Blog Writer to continue empowering women in our community. Whether it’s playing classical piano, curating playlists, or rereading Twilight, you can usually find Camryn nestled in some creative or literary endeavours. When she’s not working, Camryn enjoys long walks in the Edmonton river valley and spending time with her friends.

Welcome to the 2024/2025 Women In Business Blog!

My name is Camryn, and I’m so excited to be WIB’s blog writer this year! I found my passion in writing because of a fantastic English 102 professor, who inspired me to become an English minor and seek out opportunities to keep improving my writing skills.

As I take the reins from our previous blog writer, Adelina, I encourage you to explore the amazing archive of WIB blogs, as they are great resources for personal and professional development over the summer.

Throughout the next year, I have been granted creative freedom (thanks, WIB!) to delve into some topics that interest me, provide a personal perspective, show vulnerability, and allow me to share my stories, all while focusing on WIB’s values of Confidence, Community, and Empowerment. Since summertime is all about relishing your freedoms, let’s dive into the freedom that independence provides.

One of the greatest privileges that accompanies being a young student is independence — making your own decisions, forging your way in the world, and learning more about yourself from the pleasure and fear that accompanies being on your own. As a woman, though, being alone often seems more frightening than freeing. Therefore, young women especially tend to cling to each other to avoid the vulnerability that comes with being alone. Think of the last time you went to the washroom at a bar without your entire friend group behind you… exactly.

Of course, we stick together because there’s strength in numbers. We can have fun without worrying, and ease into the familiar comfort that comes with being surrounded by people you know. That’s what girlhood is all about: togetherness, support, and love. However, it’s easy to lose ourselves when we spend our time wrapped up in these environments. While groups provide security and a safe comfort zone, relying on them for emotional support and stability can make it much harder when we inevitably face opportunities we must venture into alone.

When you’re on your own, you can cultivate a newfound sense of confidence and happiness that comes with hanging out with yourself. It’s a skill, but one that’s so hard to develop with girlhood being built on a foundation of unity.

Independence is a gift. At this point in my life, I recognize the rarity and privilege of having little to no responsibilities and no dependents. Now more than ever, it’s important to learn how to spend time with yourself, make your own decisions, and not let the fear of being alone stop you from experiencing the world. This brings me to a pivotal moment in my own journey of independence: my solo journey to university, which I embarked on alone and emerged a stronger person because of it.

I often find myself simultaneously revering and judging those who choose to do things alone. Whether it be sitting at a bar, eating dinner at a restaurant, or even travelling, it’s common to classify these individuals as either confident and awesome, or sad and alone.

The first time when I had to be this person, out on my own, was when I moved away from my hometown and into a dorm room to start my university journey (cliche, I know). The fear and sadness I felt watching my mom drive away was one of the most intense, crippling emotions I have ever felt–the fear of being truly and utterly, alone.

That fear lasted about five minutes, I’m not even kidding! There was a lineup to get inside the dorm hall (Lister, for all you Golden Bears!) from the parking lot, and I went to wait in line and pretend to text people on my phone to make it look like I actually had friends. My mom noticed from the car and texted me to get off my phone (because you ‘never know what could happen!’). I took a deep breath, and introduced myself to the people in line behind me… and I’m still good friends with one of them now!

I look back at my younger self, and I’m so glad she had the courage to put herself in that situation, be vulnerable, and leave her comfort zone behind. I still work hard to find that person sometimes when my shyness bubbles back up, but I know myself better now, and I know she’s always there.

Away from the safety of my home, family, and childhood friends, I had the opportunity to get to know who I really was without all these external influences. I’m not over my fear of being alone (yet), but I was finally less afraid to venture into situations by myself.

One such situation occurred on the last day of my first-year English class. My professor invited all of his students to Dewey’s, the campus pub, for a celebratory end-of-semester gathering, complete with pitchers of beer on him. This was unusual for first-year students, but he wanted to give us the same experience usually reserved for graduate students.

The class, focused on magical literature, was a highlight of the semester. We analyzed the sociopolitical aspects of Harry Potter, and I even wrote my final essay on feminism (or lack thereof, controversial topic!) in The Philosopher’s Stone. I made lasting friends and enhanced my writing skills thanks to my professor’s thoughtful feedback.

Despite my love for the class, I hesitated to go to the event, since my friends couldn’t join me. After calling my mom for advice, she encouraged me to go, saying I’d regret not going more than going alone. So, (after much consideration, trust me) I went.

Why did I make such a big deal out of this? I like the security of being around people I know and the safety of my comfort zone. Playing pool with some guys in my class and my professor was definitely not a comfort zone activity… but it was awesome! I bonded with classmates I hadn’t spoken to before and had a great conversation with my professor, who became a valuable connection and even a reference for my summer job at a library!

As hard as it is to venture off on your own sometimes, especially as women, it’s incredibly important. Focusing on your independence is just one way to step out of your comfort zone and get to know yourself a little bit better. We all need our girls sometimes–most of the time, really–but what we don’t need is to rely on others to accompany us to every life event to avoid the fear of being alone, or miss out on fun opportunities because we don’t want to go by ourselves. This is your life–embrace the freedom to explore it your way.

Thanks for checking out our first blog! I'd love to hear from you—what's your favourite solo activity? Share it in the comments below!

Happy reading and stay tuned for more!

Beyond the Blog

A place to find hyper-specific media recommendations that highlight our favourite female-centric books and music.

Books

Summer is my favourite time to sit back and observe the world around me–and what better way to gain a worldly perspective than through reading?

Here are my favourite coming-of-age novels about navigating life, human interactions, and the female soul:

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

This is, without a doubt, my favourite book of all time. My grandma gifted it to me, and I think about it all the time since the first time I read it at age fourteen.

New York, early 1900s; this novel follows idealistic Francie Norman through the Williamsburg slums and poignantly delves into the balance of human connection scarred by poverty, addiction, and hope.

Go As a River by Shelley Read

Hands down, the best book I read this year (and it’s alreadyJuly)! An incredibly moving and inspirational narrative that will make you hopeful and emotional.
“A sweeping, heart-stopping epic of a young woman's journey to becoming, set against the harsh beauty of mid-century Colorado.”

A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers

Not your average coming of age–reader discretion advised. Empowering and terrifying at the same time, this girl-boss narrative makes you want to support women’s rights, as well as women’s wrongs.
“A satire of early foodieism, a critique of how gender is defined, and a showcase of virtuoso storytelling, A Certain Hunger introduces us to the food world's most charming psychopath and an exciting new voice in fiction.”

*All quotes from Goodreads descriptions.

Music and Media

This time of year, I want to listen to music that matches the calm atmosphere of the season, and for me, that’s shoegaze. A genre that is both simple and multilayered, shoegaze (or Dream Pop) provides the perfect soundtrack for self-reflection and introspection, or for long drives on the highway, with the windows down and the sun setting.

Some of my top picks include:

Roseblood by Mazzy Star

After discovering Mazzy Star through their 1990s hit, Fade Into You, I’ve been obsessed ever since. Lead singer Hope Sandoval’s voice is dreamy in all the right ways, and Roseblood is no exception – it’s ethereal, lilting, and just the right amount of weird.

Love Fade by Tamaryn

While perusing for unique songs to add to my Twilight inspired playlist (anything that evoked feelings of angst, longing, and the aesthetic of the Pacific Northwest), I came across this song and was immediately entranced by the sleek guitar chords and melody that made me feel free, like I was in some sort of dreamy montage, out backpacking and travelling.

Lilith by Adeline Troutman