Today we’d like to introduce you to Merilee McKinley.
Hi Merilee, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve never been someone who had one clear vision of what I wanted to be when I grew up. Instead, I’ve always been curious about a little bit of everything. That curiosity eventually led me into marketing, where I discovered how much I love combining creativity, storytelling, strategy, and problem-solving. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with different businesses, develop new skills, and discover what I enjoy most.
But my story has never been just about my career. Some of my biggest lessons have come from navigating anxiety, personal challenges, unexpected changes, and learning to trust myself through it all. I’ve learned that growth isn’t always linear, and sometimes the things that don’t go according to plan teach us the most.
Today, I’m in a season of rediscovery. I’m exploring new creative opportunities, pursuing projects I’m passionate about, and continuing to figure out what a fulfilling life looks like for me. I may not have everything figured out, but I’ve realized that’s okay. I don’t think we have to limit ourselves to being just one thing, and I hope I never stop being curious enough to try something new.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that life rarely goes according to plan, no matter how hard you try to make it happen.
Anxiety has been something I’ve navigated for much of my life, and it’s taken a lot of work to learn how to trust myself, embrace uncertainty, and stop letting fear make decisions for me. I’ve also faced career setbacks, moments of self-doubt, and seasons where I’ve questioned what I’m supposed to be doing with my life.
But by far, one of the hardest parts of my journey has been navigating my infertility. After multipile years, I’m now going through IVF, and it’s been one of the most physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging experiences of my life. Infertility has a way of making you feel like your entire world is moving forward while you’re standing still.
Through it all, I’ve had to learn that I can be grateful for the life I have while still grieving the life I thought I’d have by now. I’ve learned that strength doesn’t always look like being positive or having everything together. Sometimes it’s crying, being scared, taking a break, and finding the courage to try again.
I’m still in the middle of some of these challenges, and I don’t have a perfectly wrapped-up success story to share just yet. But I’m proud of the person I’m becoming along the way. If there’s one thing I hope others take from my story, it’s that you don’t have to have everything figured out to still be building a beautiful life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My background is primarily in marketing, with a focus on social media management, content creation, branding, and creative strategy. I’ve worked with businesses across several industries, helping them tell their stories, connect with their audiences, and bring their ideas to life. I especially enjoy the creative side of marketing, whether that’s designing graphics, developing content, writing, or finding a unique way to make something stand out.
Outside of traditional marketing, I’ve recently started exploring more independent creative projects, including writing, digital products, and content creation. I love the idea of turning something that starts as a random idea in my head into something tangible that other people can enjoy or find useful.
So far, the project I’m most proud of is “The Unseen Seam”, a dystopian fantasy novel I co-wrote with my best friend, Emily. It’s the first book in what we hope will become a series, and bringing it to life has been such a special experience. I’ve always loved fantasy, imagining different worlds, developing characters, and dreaming up creatures that don’t exist. Emily brings her love of horror, psychological twists, and incredible writing abilities to the table. Together, we’ve been able to create something neither of us would have made quite the same way on our own. There’s something really special about building an entire world with your best friend and watching all those little ideas turn into an actual book.
I think what sets me apart is my curiosity and willingness to try things outside my comfort zone. I don’t necessarily want to be known for one particular skill or job title. I’d rather be known as someone who is creative, resourceful, compassionate, and always willing to learn something new. More than anything, I want the things I create to feel thoughtful, authentic, and a little different from everything else out there.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m not entirely sure I believe in luck, at least not in the traditional sense. I think life is a combination of the choices we make, the effort we put in, the people we surround ourselves with, and circumstances we simply can’t control.
I’ve experienced things that some people might consider bad luck, especially throughout my infertility journey and unexpected career changes. But I struggle with calling those experiences unlucky because that makes it sound like life is some sort of game of chance. Sometimes difficult things just happen, even when you’ve done everything you possibly could to prevent them.
At the same time, I recognize that I’ve been incredibly fortunate in other areas of my life, particularly with the people who love and support me. I don’t take those relationships or opportunities for granted.
When it comes to my career and creative projects, I believe curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to try something new have played a much bigger role than luck. Not everything I’ve pursued has worked out, but nearly everything has taught me something valuable.
I don’t believe every hardship needs to have some grand purpose or hidden blessing. Sometimes things are just hard, and that’s okay. What matters most to me is how we respond, what we learn, and how we choose to move forward. I’d rather focus on what I can do with the circumstances I’m given than whether I was lucky or unlucky to receive them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylittlehippiebymerilee/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
- Other: Etsy: https://happylittlehippietx.etsy.com
