Creative Spaces Online: Spreading Positivity and Awareness Through Personal Media

From being a Michigan cheerleader and the MFMS VP of Marketing, to running her own blog and Youtube channel, Pilar Burgess does it all. When we sat down to talk with her, Pilar explained that she saw a void in information surrounding Black women’s beauty and wellness. She decided to fill that void by using different forms of media to amplify her voice, starting with her blog Our Communal Diary (OCD) and a shared Youtube channel with her sister Milan. With her platforms, Pilar aims to create fun, positive spaces for people to learn about everything from skincare and fashion to travel and her top book picks. Pilar conveyed to us the importance of authentic self-expression, making people laugh, and having a good time. And, above all, Pilar emphasized what she sees as the key to think about when embarking on any creative endeavor: just get started. 

How did you make the decision to start a blog and what was the process of starting it like?

P: In high school I had my first blog, which was mostly centered around fashion and a little bit about beauty. I was super interested in that more creative sphere and it really served as a way to spend my free time while also teaching myself how to use Adobe softwares and different platforms for web design. I really got into OCD over the summer once quarantine started. I said to myself, “OK, I’ve had blogs in the past, now I think I can really focus on this one.” As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to figure out my aesthetic and style. That understanding allowed me to create something that now makes me really proud and happy. 

How did you choose the name Our Communal Diary?

P: For me, the whole idea of OCD is to create a space that isn’t just about myself — it spans to something that is so much greater than what I alone can contribute. OCD is a platform for conversations surrounding wellness, health, haircare, and beauty: topics I’ve never felt highly educated in, but am passionate to learn more about. And I don’t want it to be only about myself, I want this to be a diary that we can all add to and contribute to in different ways. For me, growing up, I could never really find products that could be good for my skin or my hair. There are few people who look like me that do things like this, even more so when I was younger, so I thought, “if you can’t find it, create it.”

You write about many things on your blog, ranging from book reviews to fashion to travel experiences. How do you choose the topics you write about and what do you hope to capture in your posts ? 

P: I try to write about things that are relevant in my day-today life. For me, so much of what my blog is all about is what I truly and genuinely want to do and love, so a lot of my topics are just things that I try to discover on my own. For fashion, I might highlight things that I find powerful, like what Black artists’ experiences are in the industry, and for skin care I’m sharing the discovery process of finding what’s good for my skin. I think there are a lot of things you can really get just from storytelling, and at its very basic place, that is what OCD is. It’s a compilation of my story and then over time, it expands into other people’s stories. 

When comparing your first blog post and most recent blog post, how do you think your process of developing a post has changed? 

P: I’d say the main difference is probably the structure. I think, especially now, when people read something, they want to see something quick — it’s all about quick consumption. So, I’m just trying to keep the blog easy to digest, and I try to capture the essence of the post in the very beginning. Then for those who are really trying to learn more or are trying to dive a bit deeper I can provide that additional information. This started out as a passion project, so at first I just wanted to get typing and put some words down. Now I’ve started to realize how to have some strategy behind it and make something that other people can digest a bit easier and really enjoy reading. 

You recently started a Youtube channel with your sister Milan — what made you want to start this in addition to your blog? What did you feel the video medium afforded you that written content did not?

P: Milan and I have been obsessed with Youtube as a place to learn. Whether it’s beauty tips and hair care or just seeing what other people are up to, you can get a lot of inspiration from it and can connect to someone else’s reality in a different sphere. When it comes to who is actually being shown on this platform, I would hope that Milan and I, even just for our immediate community, can create a space to talk about some of our favorite products and what’s working for us. Things that are so specific to Black women, the things we have to deal with and how we’re handling them. I hope to share my story and be a resource for someone who looks like me. 

I think my passion for things really comes across when I’m speaking—there’s nothing better than having genuine conversations with people. You can just show so much more of your authenticity through that format. With Youtube, you can get so much deeper into who people are than with a still image or an article they write. 

In what direction do you hope to take your blog and Youtube channel in the future and what goals do you have for these platforms? 

P: I would love to get people to be really excited about them in the way that I am.

More so than anything, I hope they’re fun for someone to watch or read. For Youtube, it’s a casual way to have fun, film and upload, and learn about different systems and softwares. I’m cracking up when I rewatch the videos, so hopefully it at least makes one or two people smile or laugh. 

That said, I also hope that people who are similar to Milan and I can come to us as a resource. When we were younger, we didn’t have any influences older than us who could say, “hey, this is what I’m doing for my hair,” or “I’m trying out this new foundation shade.” My hair type isn’t really a trendy hair type, so I’m not really getting those resources in the way that other people are getting them. I’m telling you, there are so few people out there who have that. So, Milan and I are thinking “let’s find that void, and let’s fill it.” 

What’s your favorite part about running your blog and youtube channel? What is the most rewarding aspect?

P: For the Youtube channel, I loved the process of creating the animation for the intro and outro. Elena Howes, an MFMS alum and the former VP of Creative, helped me create it. So much of it was bringing in different styles that I love, like the early 2000s and Y2K. I also love the editing aspect. Even though it takes so long, and I am very much a novice, seeing all the clips come together, finding funny moments and blowing them up is so much fun. As for the blog, I would say it’s when people can talk to me and have a conversation. I want to hear people’s opinions and experiences, and for the blog to be communicative and engaging. 

Do you have any other creators that you look to for inspiration in your content?

P: Definitely, but not so much in the blog world — my blog is something that is totally me and I just go off of what feels right. With Youtube, all of the creators that inspire me are within the surf world. I love the Smith Brothers. They have a really cool series that is informative but also offers a really authentic and well-produced look into their lives. The whole surf industry, the way that they film, is so exciting. They have the best clips. Koa Rothman and his channel This is Livin’ are also amazing. It’s so positive, and when I watch it I genuinely feel so much better. I hope that Milan and I can do that— all I want is for people to watch our channel and feel good.   

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a blog, Youtube channel, or just generally navigate a creative space?

P: Because I don't have much of a creative background, I’d say just get started. In some cases you just have to learn by doing. Even with my blog, I feel good about what I’m producing now because I’ve gone through the whole trial and error process. I feel like everyone is so worried about what everyone else thinks. But who really cares? Someone will see it for five seconds and then keep moving on with their day — that’s the beauty of our generation. And I think it’s also important to say that you don’t have to have a background in a creative sphere in order to do this. So much of what we miss in our structured education is the ability to explore our creative selves. With the platform that we have at our disposal, we should just go for it! 

We hope you enjoyed hearing Pilar’s insightful thoughts on her blog and Youtube channel. Not only are they great sources for beauty and wellness information, but also for a positive atmosphere that is sure to brighten your day. Explore everything her content offers at pilarburgess.com and Milan & Pilar on Youtube.