"Gatekeeper"

I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of gatekeeping.

It carries a negative connotation, especially in a world where we have unlimited access to everything, everywhere, all the time.

Social media has made information instant and exposure effortless - which is incredible in many ways. But I also think it’s quietly flattened individuality and creativity.

If you look at my tik tok comments, there are constant questions about where my couch is from, my rug, my coffee table. And that’s okay. We’re conditioned now to expect immediate answers, direct links, and total transparency at our fingertips.

By not answering, I’m not trying to be cold or unhelpful… I genuinely believe people should choose things that feel personal and intuitive to them. Sourcing objects - whether for your home or your wardrobe - is part of the journey. It’s how taste develops. It’s how you learn who you are.

There’s a real counterpoint here, of course. Not everyone feels confident decorating a space or getting dressed, and I understand that.

BUT , I’d rather see someone live with something objectively “ugly” that’s truly theirs than a perfectly styled copy-and-paste version of someone else’s taste. Bad taste, when it’s honest, still feels more authentic than borrowed taste.

So maybe what we’re calling “gatekeeping” isn’t about withholding -  it’s about encouraging people to trust themselves. To explore. To experiment. To sit in the discomfort of not knowing right away.

Because authenticity always wins. And people can feel it.

-G