Painter, baker, video maker; the woman on a mission to get seniors on social media [inside my journal]

Sharon Nord lives in Richmond Virginia, but the 68 year old New Yorker's heart is still in The Big Apple. She shares how she’s using her paper republic journals for her cake baking business, her 'Postcrossing' project, and to encourage more people her age to use social media...

What's your background?

I began my working life in the hotel business in New York City, which was great. Later, I got married, had three children, and decided that I would go back to school to be a nurse, because it would fit with my family better. I've been working in nursing for over 30 years and it's been great for me. 

Painter, baker, video maker; you are a woman of many talents. Let’s start with your baking business.

I moved from Richmond from downtown New York and was feeling a little restless (and bored), so I asked myself: what have I always wanted to learn but never had the time for Cake decorating came to mind so I turned on YouTube and just started watching and then practising. Now I make and sell cakes as a part time gig.

How does your paper republic journal come into your baking business?

I don't have a great memory, so I use my cake journal to write down notes about what my customer wants, and then sketch out my cake design. I have a calendar in there too, and my price list and details like how many people the cake will feed. It works really well, and now I have people who come back to me every year when they want a birthday cake. Every cake gets its own little portrait—a Polaroid snapshot that I tuck into my journal like a memory. It’s part record, part ritual.

Why use pen and paper rather than a spreadsheet?

Initially it was because I was not so good at using computers. I'm 68 years old and I did not grow up with them. So everything I do with a computer is a bit of a struggle. And then I love the act of writing; the act of penmanship. It just feels so much more real and slows me down in the best way.

There are many journals out there. Why did you choose paper republic?

There's a whole bunch I like about paper republic. Firstly, I like that your journals are endlessly refillable. I also love the leather. It's a little thicker than some other ones, and I love the colours. 

I also really like the stories you tell on your Instagram, and I love the handwritten note that comes with each journal too. I feel like paper public is such a nice, small company. I feel like you really care, and I feel connected to the people who create these wonderful leather journals.

Let’s talk about your artwork. You have a separate journal for that? 

Yes, I have a journal for my sketches, with three little birds on which represent my three children. I never considered myself an artist, but I believe you can learn anything if you're curious enough. Like baking, I watched videos, practiced, and now sketching is part of my quiet joy.

And how about your 'Postcrossing' project?

Moving out of New York, getting older, all of these things started to make me feel like I was losing some connection to the broader world, so when I heard about Postcrossing, I thought I would give it a try. It’s a global project where people send and receive postcards to random people around the world. So I have another paper republic journal for my postcards. It's got a snail mail illustration on it. I record details of the cards I have sent, who I will send to, and the cards I have received.

Where's the most interesting place that you've received one from?

I get a lot from Malaysia, Serbia, Russia – all over the place. Russia is a big participant in Postcrossing, but the United States can't send mail to Russia right now. 

I love the idea that some little postcard I sent might brighten a stranger’s day halfway around the world. Postcrossing also have a section where you can ask the community to send someone specific a post card – for example “please send a card to my friend Jane, because they are ill.”

So I did it for my granddaughter, who likes to ride horses. It was for her birthday, and she got 70 postcards from all over the world where people were like: I drew this horse for you, or just heartfelt messages. She loved it and she'll have those forever.

These random acts of kindness restore my faith in humanity.

Another one of your goals is to encourage those who did not grow up with computers to be more active online and on social media. Can you tell us more about that?

I feel that people my age are missing out on what is a great way to stay connected. I also think it's so important to keep learning as you grow older, to push yourself out of your comfort zone. A lot of people my age are lonely, but at its best, social media is an amazing way to connect and build community across borders and generations from shared passions, interests or memes.

So I started experimenting—first Instagram, then TikTok. Not just scrolling, but posting. It’s intimidating at first, but also exciting. It’s like stepping into someone else’s world and inviting them into yours. But they have some obscure passion and these days it’s so easy to find others with the same obscure passion online.

It's definitely a challenge, because social media feels like a young person's game. I was on TikTok early and have a post that went viral. I think it’s important to stay connected. You need to learn new things. You don't want to get left behind and be in a room where everybody's talking about Instagram and you have no idea what's going on. So, I enjoy the challenge of it and trying to encourage more people to try it.

What is your advice for someone who feels out of touch with social media but would like to learn more?

Just close your eyes and jump. You have to say yes to things. Say yes to nine out of ten things, and go and meet somebody new, or learn something new. It's healthy for your brain to stay active, and your heart to stay active.

So download the apps, and give it a go. It’s a great way to interact with young people, which is so important because they're so passionate and still excited about life. Don't pigeonhole yourself because of your own age or anyone else’s.

Finally, you have a lot of journals! Which is your favourite?

I really love my newest journal that I got from you. I had it embossed with something my father said to me my whole life:

“Get up, I'm betting on you.”

It was related to his job, because he was a jockey. They fall down and literally have to get up again. But I like the deeper meaning too: I'm betting on you being able to do this and being able to stay involved.

Catch Sharon's updates on her Instagram and TikTok channels.