I used to write St. Lucia Carnival reviews.

Not just band launches and portrayals, I also reviewed the parties, even brought my daughter along to do reviews. The energy. The promoters. The vibes. The chaos. The unspoken politics.

And if I’m honest, a lot of people didn’t come for cultural analysis.

They came for the drama.

They wanted the call-outs.
The subtle shade.
The “who did what.”
The messy honesty.

And at the time, I understood that. It got engagement. It sparked conversations. It made the posts travel.

But somewhere along the way, I realized something uncomfortable.

Drama brings attention.
But it doesn’t always bring alignment.

I started to feel the difference between writing from insight and writing from reaction. Between documenting culture and feeding chaos. Between commentary and commentary that keeps people entertained at someone else’s expense.

And I didn’t want that anymore.

Growth changed how I experienced Carnival and how I wrote about it.

When I stepped onto the road, Carnival felt like expansion. Like taking up space. Like finding a louder, freer version of myself.

When I started reviewing, it felt powerful to have a voice.

But power matures.

Now, I don’t need to critique to feel relevant.
I don’t need to stir conversation to feel impactful.
I don’t need drama to feel seen.

I still love Carnival. I still love the music, the road, the expression. I still care about culture deeply.

But I’m more interested in meaning than mess.

If I write about Carnival now, it won’t be to expose. It will be to explore. It won’t be to escalate. It will be to elevate.

Because I’ve learned something important:

Not every audience you attract is meant to grow with you.

Some people loved the sharp takes.
Some loved the controversy.
Some loved the unpredictability.

But I’m not writing from that place anymore.

I’m writing from clarity.

And clarity doesn’t crave chaos.

Carnival taught me how to take up space.
The party scene taught me how to use my voice.
Growth taught me how to refine it.

I’m not the person I was when I started this blog.

And that includes how I handle visibility.

I don’t want drama.

I want depth.
I want culture.
I want reflection.
I want joy without spectacle.
I want commentary that builds, not burns.

And if that shifts the audience, that’s okay.

Evolution always does.

xoxoxo

MeliMel