My wife wants to be a vlogger

I amatmybestwhenbeingcreative, whether in front of a keyboard, a radiomic, a live audience, or onmy own just playing guitar. I have always encouraged creative answers to life and therapy; there is always more than one rightway to do something.

My wife has watched me write, blog, do media, and make speeches for a few years now. I’ve encouraged her to do her own video blog (vlog), too, because she is always watching them, but she hasn’t been interested in the spotlight (or the inevitable anonymous bullying). I don’t receivemuch of that, but she seeswhat people say about the people she follows, and it’s pretty awful.

That being said, enough time has passed, and she is ready togofor it! Angelika is a great cook, so she is going to doa cooking showwhere she doesn’thavetobeoncamera. I think that will change over time, but I am just thrilled that she has found a passion topursue inaway thatworks for her.

I’m smart enough to step back and let her go at her own pace. I could write for her, but Iknowthatmy being there for emotional support is more important, and I’m there for her however she needs me. Also, I’m no cook, despitehaving a great kitchen — and now thatmy wife will have a studio worthy of her talents and personality, she will only make it look better.

Part of me is hoping that she becomes the next Julia Child, and I will spend the rest of my life watching and tasting her creations. When youhave a creative drive, and you start to express it, it can be a wonderful ride, a bit of a roller coaster at times, but worth the price of admission. When the love of your life takes the ride with you, and maybe starts to drive, it’s a pretty coolway to travel through life.

I amatmybestwhenbeing creative, whether in front of a keyboard, a radio mic, a live audience, or onmy ownjust playing guitar. I have always encouraged creativeanswers to life and therapy; there is always more than one right way to do something.

Yes, public attention in our social media world has become amarker of success, but it means way more than that when you are sending a positive message. Helping people enjoy their lives a little more is a big deal.

This project will not just make her happy but make us closer. One reason is I am aware that this is her project, not mine, which is how it should be. Thismeans I will answeranyquestionssheasks but be careful about offering unsolicited advice. What she doesn’t knowshe will learn. You never want to take that process away from anyone.

Dr. BartonGoldsmith, a psychotherapist inWestlake Village, Calif., is the author of“The HappyCouple: HowtoMake Happiness a Habit One Little Loving Thing at aTime.”Followhis daily insights onTwitter at @BartonGoldsmith, or email him at Barton@ bartongoldsmith.com.