Deborah Young shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Deborah, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, something that’s really been bringing me joy outside of work is watching TV shows. I know it might sound a little boring or predictable, but honestly, it’s been such a comfort. There’s something about getting to see characters live their lives — going through drama, solving mysteries, and taking on adventures — that just feels so amazing. I get to go on the journey with them.
Watching TV has become a way for me to step away from everything else for a while — the stresses of work, the things happening in the world, or even just my own thoughts. It lets me relax and live in someone else’s story for a bit.
This year has been a lot emotionally, mentally, and financially, so being able to decompress with a good show or movie has been a blessing. It’s my way of unwinding and giving myself space to just be.
I do hope to get more into reading, though. BookTok and book communities online have made me really want to pick up more books again. I’ll be honest — I haven’t been reading as much as I should, but it’s something I truly want to change. Hopefully soon, I’ll find that same sense of escape and joy in stories on the page, not just on screen.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Deborah, and I’m the blogger and owner of HeadphonesThoughts.com. For the past five years, I’ve been sharing my thoughts, experiences, and creative passions through my blog. What started as a personal online diary — a space for me to express my feelings and reflect on life — has evolved into a platform where I review movies, TV shows, comics, conventions, and special events, and even share interviews with fascinating people.
Blogging has been such a rewarding journey for me. It’s given me the opportunity to explore the world around me, connect with others who share similar interests, and continue growing both personally and professionally.
This year has brought its share of challenges in my personal life, but through it all, blogging remains my creative outlet — a source of joy, expression, and self-discovery. As I continue to evolve and learn, I hope to expand HeadphonesThoughts even further — exploring new stories, events, and perspectives that inspire curiosity, creativity, and thoughtful conversation.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Wow — what a powerful question. This year has brought so much change and so many lessons. I’ve learned very quickly that not everyone who seems like a friend truly has your best interests at heart. I feel like I was backstabbed more times this year than I ever expected, and it affected me deeply. I trusted people, and in turn, they hurt me and placed blame where it didn’t belong.
Looking back, I realize I ignored my intuition and the red flags. I wanted to see the best in people and maintain a positive, lighthearted outlook. But what happened really changed me. It shook my perspective and made me more cautious about who I let into my life.
Still, I’m learning. I’m learning to trust again, to follow my heart, and to listen more closely to my intuition. There’s one specific moment this year that I keep bringing to God in prayer — asking for help to forgive and let go of the hurt that was caused, trusting that He will handle those who wronged me in His own way.
What this experience has taught me most is the value of wisdom, discernment, and self-respect. It has changed me, but in a way that is helping me grow stronger, wiser, and more grounded.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been many times I’ve asked myself: Why am I blogging? Am I good enough? Over the years, I’ve experienced a lot — false accusations, hate comments, and criticism from people who don’t understand the work and heart that goes into maintaining a blog. At times, it’s made me want to give up.
But I’ve realized I can’t let the opinions of others dictate my path. I can’t please everybody — and honestly, I can’t even fully please myself all the time. I’m not perfect. I will make mistakes. I will misstep. And yet, in today’s world of cancel culture, people can be quick to judge, harshly criticize, or hold others accountable for things that may not fully warrant it — while overlooking much larger issues elsewhere.
The online world is very different than it was when I was younger. It can feel overwhelming to just try to create, share, and express yourself honestly when people are so hypersensitive. But despite the challenges, I’ve learned so much about growth, resilience, and self-confidence.
I won’t quit just because it gets hard or because others try to tear you down. Blogging has always been my way to explore, create, and share my perspective. I’m learning, evolving, and moving forward — mistakes and all — and I’m proud to continue on this journey, even when it’s difficult.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned as a blogger is that you can’t be fake just to please everyone. When I first started blogging, I noticed so many creators molding themselves to fit trends or copy one another — doing the same challenges, posting the same content, and following the same “formula” for success.
I even had people try to tell me exactly how to run my blog and how to be successful. But the truth is, most of those people aren’t even active bloggers anymore. Their advice didn’t lead to lasting success because it wasn’t authentic — it wasn’t true to them.
I realized that I had to be myself and do my blog my way, not because others told me how to do it. Being a copycat or following trends blindly might get temporary attention, but it won’t build something meaningful.
It’s not always easy, but authenticity is what makes your voice stand out. If you’re genuine, your audience will find you — and those connections will be real and lasting. For anyone who wants to be a blogger, my advice is simple: be yourself, stay authentic, and trust that the right people will resonate with your work.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
I used to think that if I achieved certain things — like getting a new hair color, a gold makeup look, or even what I thought was my “dream” opportunity — I would finally feel satisfied. But I realized that satisfaction doesn’t always come from ticking off boxes or achieving what we imagine.
Even this year, I thought I had reached something I truly wanted, something I believed was perfect — and it turned into a nightmare instead. That experience taught me an important lesson: sometimes what we think we want isn’t the right thing for us. Plans can change, life can take unexpected turns, and that’s okay.
The key is to stay open-minded and to adapt when things don’t go as planned. And just as importantly, it’s about finding small joys in everyday life. The world can be heavy and dark, and if we rely only on big milestones for happiness, it’s easy to get discouraged. But noticing little moments of beauty, laughter, and peace — that’s where real contentment can grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.headphonesthoughts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/headphonesthoughts/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeadphonesTblog
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/headphonesthoughts
Image Credits
Myself
