What is Texterview?

Texterview is a digital library of human experience.

It’s an open space where people share their experiences, stories, opinions, and perspectives by answering questions.

Here’s how it works:

I create forms with questions about different topics (there are pre-made forms, and people can also request forms tailored to their story).

People answer at their own pace using text or voice.

Text answers become blog posts.

Voice answers become podcast episodes, like real voice notes.

Real. Raw. Human.

That’s Texterview.

How did the idea for Texterview begin — before you even realized what it would become?

Texterview began when I was a teenager, inspired by my long-distance friend (Mel) who opened my mind and genuinely made me a better person.

I grew a deep curiosity for the experiences of other people and all the things I could learn from deep conversations, but I didn’t know how to start having those conversations with strangers, all over the world.

I decided I would interview people, but I’m really not a people person. I wanted to have deep conversations without talking to people, and that didn’t make sense.

Then it hit me, I’m a texter not a talker, so I could have text convos with strangers through the internet, and post the convos on my blog. It was gonna be for me to be curate like a diary that I could go back to, and if anyone stumbled into it, they could learn too.

I decided I’d curate questions and I’ll have text conversations with people like an interview with text. 

I thought it was weird, maybe even stupid. but my curiosity was greater than my doubts, I decided to just go for it.

The first Texterview was ‘only child’. I’m an only child, and at that time, I was figuring out a lot of stuff relating to that. I wanted to understand the perspective of another only child.

I curated questions into my notes app. I posted on r/onlychild on the reddit app, and to my SURPRISEEEEEE, people were sooooooo kind and showed interest.

THAAAAAAAAAAT is where Texterview started. They made this. I’ll never forget.

I got so nervous and overwhelmed by the positive responses, that I couldn’t do my initial plan to have a text conversation.

Instead, I sent the list in the dms to those who showed interest, then they would answer each question in the dms with text, and I’d copy their responses to my blog.

The first person who responded suggested putting the questions on a form.

THAT CHANGED EVERYTHINGGGGGG.

That birthed the concept of Texterview forms, my ‘weird’ idea was starting to actually make sense and take form.

Multiple people were interested, so I sent them the form and I GOT RESPONSES. I truly cannot put into words how amazing it was. I remember I posted the responses into one post, like ‘5 people answer 32 questions about being an only child’, and I posted the published post on the subreddit.

The forms weren’t always open, like now. Back then, after one topic, I used to post another topic form in another subreddit to get responses.

Then, ‘Texterview’ (text-interview) was the name for the concept, not the actual domain name (texterview.com). I used about 3 domains before finally purchasing the domain.

To sum it up, Texterview started out of sheer curiosity. I wanted to learn about topics directly from people who have lived them. To ask exactly what I want to know.

Texterview started out for me. I didn’t even consider that people could actually enjoy sharing and feel seen. 

This has come such a long way.

If Texterview continues to grow, I want to find a way to honor the first people I Texterviewed, the people who trusted Texterview before this relaunch.
I don’t think I could ever fully express how much I appreciate them. Texterview exists because they were willing to share with me when this was just an idea, just curiosity, just something small and uncertain.
I will always be grateful to them.
This exists because of them. Always.

What makes Texterview different from other ways people share stories online?

If you search for a topic, you’ll most probably find videos of people sharing their story, blog posts, social media posts, interviews, etc.

Texterview is different because it’s curated. That’s exactly what it’s built for.

It’s like how libraries are for books, Texterview is a digital library for lived human experience.

With Texterview, people share at their own pace, guided by questions that create space for their story to be told, anonymously, from anywhere in the world.

Texterview isn’t about going viral.

It’s intentional and quiet on purpose.

It’s a safe space to answer real questions honestly.

No audience. No pressure. No need for social validation.

When did you realize this was more than curiosity — that it carried responsibility?

In one of the previous questions, I ended my answer with ‘Texterview started out for me. I didn’t even consider that people could actually enjoy sharing and feel seen. ‘

The realization that it was actually meaningful to the people sharing, and it was bigger than a curious teenager tryna learn. That’s it.

Right from the start, the first Texterview, I was overwhelmed by the reception.

At that time, it inspired me to reach out to do more Texterviews. It validated my ‘weird’ idea. I still had jumbled up questions, it was really disorganized. Yet, people shared and even gave feedback to make it better.

It was supposed to just be a temporary project at the time. I learn about topics I’m really curious about and save the responses in my diary blog.

I realized it was more than my curiosity and that it carried responsibility when the people who I texterviewed started to give feedback.

I remember I was so…overwhelmed in the best way at people giving feedback saying ‘Thank you for doing this’

I was confused even. Likeeeee, thank MEEEEEE????

It’s YOUUUUUUUUU answering my disorganized questions, and sharing deep parts of yourself with me. YOUUUUUUUU are teaching me about your world, YOUUUUUUU are helping me learn and become a better person.

What do you meaaaan THANK MEEEEEEE??🤯😮😮

They were TOOOOOOOOOOO kind.

I can’t even really describe it. It hit me gradually.

That this lil idea of mine is actually bigger than myself, than just me learning about the world.

If properly implemented, it could be really important, people could feel seen. More people could learn from people sharing. 

Since it helps me learn and be a better person, it could def help others too. 

More understanding, more empathy, more humanity. That’s what the world needs 

I started to realize the potential, and it was honestly….scary.

It felt waaaay larger than I was. 

I knew I could either continue with my ‘for-me’ disorganized approach, or I could actually create it to its potential.

I had wayyy too much ideas than I could even begin to implement.

Ah, I think I’ve answered this question. I’ll continue in the appropriate question.

There were moments you stepped away or almost let it go. Why?

I’ll continue from my answer to the previous question. ‘I knew I could either continue with my ‘for-me’ disorganized approach, or I could actually create it to its potential. I had wayyy too much ideas than I could even begin to implement.’

I felt like if I continued like that, disorganized, I’d be really underdoing it’s potential.

I had a lot of scattered ideas in my head, it was scary. I didn’t even know how I’d begin to implement them.

I was a broke af teenager with huge ideas.

Of course, the financial part was huge. But that aside, I didn’t even know where to start.

The thought of all my ideas was…exhausting.

I decided it was just way too big, bigger than I was.

I even decided to give it away. Thank goodness that didn’t happen.

Ah wait, reminds me. I actually even launched another Texterview-style project. While ‘Texterview’ has always been the title of the concept, I’ve used several domains before I finally purchased ‘Texterview.com’. Wow damn, I’m remembering more stuff. damn, it’s been a long process to reach here.

I was working on more other projects and stuff then, I focused on those and kinda ghosted Texterview,but I kept the website up, just wasn’t taking new responses.

I can’t put it all into words.

but yea, it felt too big, too meaningful for me.

I believe it worked out well.

I wasn’t ready then. I am now.

I’m not perfect now or something, but it feels less overwhelming now.

I’m more prepared, less overwhelmed, and with better access to the resources I need to build what I see in my head.

And now, I don’t see Texterview as something I’m carrying alone. Texterview is built for you, with you. We’re creating this together.

With feedback and understanding, we build it together, slowly and intentionally.

What brought you back to Texterview after stepping away?

Texterview was always there somewhere in my head. I knew I was gonna return to it at some point.
At some point during my hiatus, I got a review on a platform I posted Texterview on (Product Hunt). Here’s the review: https://www.producthunt.com/products/texterview/reviews?review=80938
It was random, it was months after I posted it. It really was a LIGHTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT for me. I’ve always planned to respond after I finally get it sorted.
That review, and the feedback I had been getting from people who answered Texterview forms woke me tf up.
Soon after, I left everything else I was working on, and put all my effort into Texterview. I truly believe that I’d never have (or it’d have taken yearssss to) figure out Texterview if I was juggling it with something else.

Took a few years to find the footing for Texterview, a lot of trial and error, a lot of being close to relaunch and starting over, a lotttt of a lot.

about 2 years ago, I started to focus on Texterview again.
I isolated. I was passionate, yet unmotivated.
I kept ‘beating around the bush’. But really, I truly believe everything made Texterview possible today. As time passed by, I wouldn’t say I was ‘wasting time’, I was figuring out a lot personally too. and as time passed, the more my ideas were sharpened.
I spent SOOOO much time on research too, figuring out ways to implement, testing out sooo many ideas that are now irrelevant.

I think I approached it with the overwhelm of all the ideas, so much that the implementation felt soooo slow, and confusing, like I had to try out 1 million of 1 thing to figure out which worked best.
I isolated so much too.
It started to feel like I was unserious. I couldn’t even describe this passion that I was obsessing so much about to others, because I hadn’t even made sense of it myself.

I got pushed into my ‘full-focus’ last year, 2025, by crazy shit. My mum’s business got burgled, could’ve lost life’s work in one night (but thankfully, what was taken was manageable). Crazyyy how that fuckin shit has now became an important landmark in my life. Shit woke me tf up.
It was so scary for me, and really made me think about life in general. I think I felt invincible to tragedy or somn.
I started considering fuck ton of tragedies that could happen outta nowhere. Life really is fuckin unpredictable. That really woke me tf up.
I think then, I was also starting to get stuck in the idea of what life I wanted. It felt like I was just surviving until I achieve my dream of disappearing (or slowly exploring the world). I think it started to make me feel lonely in the solitude I was present in because I couldn’t stop thinking about how I wanted more solitude, to be alone. Idk how to put it in a way that makes sense, but yea, shit was deep.

so yea, the fear after that incident actually impacted a lot.
I started to see life through an additional angle. I decided I’d just….live and be present. Life is unpredictable af and nothing’s guaranteed.
The major thing was about my passions (Texterview included).
Suddenly, I was more….present, but it was fueled with fear and a crazy sense of urgency. but still, it was fuel, and it really helped get me to be more serious and on track.
2025 suuucked.

I was still burned tf outttttttt lotta times. I was frustrated affff because it took too many tries to get some things to work outside of just being ideas in my big ahh head.
Especially recently towards the relaunch. The closer I got, the scarier it got.
Guess where I got the motivation to continue?
I developed a crush towards the end of last year, it’s really been a huge source of dopamineee for me, I’ve been chaneling that energy into Texterview.
Idk if that makes sense, but trust meeeeee, it worksssss for me, till right nowww as I type this lmaoo.
Still burned tf out, but that really works.

Well, everything worked out well. Here we are.

When I think about it, Texterview is forever continuous.
I actually planned I’d resume working on my other ideas and projects after relaunching, since I had to pause everything to focus on the relaunch.

But as it’s going right now, the relaunch seems like just the beginning. I’ll find my balance.
I’m truly honored and lucky that I get to bring my ideas to life, to commit to something, to do something that people enjoy and find important.
This is so fun. And it matters.

What changed in you between stepping away and coming back?

I grew. I grew alongside Texterview. Texterview started and grew at pivotal points in my life.

As I grew as a person, I put that into Texterview.

I like to think that Texterview is like a representation of me. I don’t think that’s the right wording, but it’s probably close.

Texterview is born from my curiosity, anxiety, passion and isolation, at pivotal times of my life. 

I had Texterview as I grew through my teenage years till now as a young adult in my early 20s.

It’s just…deep. We have a BOND.

And as I think about it, Texterview is actually the one thing I’ve committed to this long, through doubts and personal life shit, we’ve found our way back still. Like, this is the love of my fuckin life. My passion, my hobby. 

Shit, the most interesting thing about me is that I created this.

I grew. 

Now, I understand better how deep Texterview is, that it’s more than a fun lil project I started to learn from a few people. It’s not just about me, now I put that in mind to create a safe space for everyone. Still, it’s deeply personal to me, I continue to learn.

No matter how out there Texterview gets, there’ll always be the personal approach.

It no longer feels as overwhelming. I’m more confident, grounded, chill, and I hope that people feel that about Texterview.

Lil fun fact. I built (and am building) all of Texterview on my mobile phone. Apparently, that’s kinda crazy.

I’m literally a solo creator creating a Library of Human experience on my phone, in my bed, with an overthinking brain and fuuuucked up sleep schedule.

I honestly do not see any of this in a ‘professional’ way. I’m just having fun building something I’m passionate about.

Texterview isn’t separate from me. 

Why is Texterview designed the way it is today — from voice and text, to anonymity, no likes or metrics, and why care and consent come first?

I’ll address these one by one.

Voice and Text: Before the relaunch, text was the only available way to answer Texterview forms. Adding voice as an option is actually the major feature in the relaunch.

I wanted people to have options to answer in their favorite format, in the way they’re most comfortable.

Some people prefer texting, others prefer speaking. Texterview is now inclusive for both. People being comfortable to share in the way that feels most natural to them is the entire point.

Anonymity: At the beginning, there was an option for people to attach their photo to their Texterview. Then, people could also choose a ‘non-identifying username’ as the title of their Texterview posts, or I’d title it with ‘Anonymous’.

I remember a huge turning point for anonymity on Texterview was a conversation I had with a person I Texterviewed. Months after I had published their Texterview, I texted them about info regarding their Texterview. I don’t remember exactly what it was, but they asked me to change something in their Texterview because if people they knew saw it, they might recognize them. I think it was the title. I changed it.

That helped me think deeper about anonymity, and make changes. I removed photos of people who attached their photos, and it hit me that I could actually set Texterview titles as a quote from their Texterview post. 

Forever thankful to that person.🤗

Great example of how Texterview gets better with feedback, we’re building this TOGETHER 🤗

Anonymity is now CORE to Texterview.

Here, you’re free from labels, names, or expectations. You can be honest, vulnerable, and real.

It’s about what you choose to share, not who the world knows you as.

No likes or metrics: During the time I was testing out my fuck ton of ideas, I also tested like buttons (so people could like Texterview posts), analytics in posts (so people, especially the owner of a Texterview could see how many views on their Texterviews), etc.

I later changed my mind and removed all of it.

The absence of likes, metrics, comments is INTENTIONAL.

Texterview is not the ‘social media’ we’re used to.

This space is quiet, slow, intentional, sensitive, real, human. 

Here, people share. That’s it. Others witness, learn, and sit with it.

Truth. Honesty. Vulnerability. That’s everything. That’s valid on its own. No external validation required.

Why care and consent come first : That’s the entire point. That’s how Texterview exists and is sustained.

Your story. Your choice. Your control.

First. Always.

What were your biggest fears before launching this version of Texterview?

Def about getting it right.

Asking the right questions, making the process clear, gentle, and self-guiding so people can easily understand the process and share. So people don’t feel lost or overwhelmed.

Texterview is deep. Texterview is sensitive.

I don’t wanna fuck it up.

I want the care and respect I put in this space to show.

I want people to get it, to feel it.

I want it to mean something to the people who come on this space.

I want people to feel seen, respected, understood, safe.

A big fear for me is misalignment.

I want my intentions to align with the implementation.

I want what Texterview means to me to match how it actually exists in the world.

And right now?

I’m scared about putting it out there at all.

About whether people will find it. Whether they’ll understand it. Whether it’ll mean something to them.

It’s scary. Really.

What challenges — internal or external — came closest to ending Texterview?

I’ve been working on Texterview for years.

I’ve almost given up many times.

BURNOUT, life lifing in my personal life, deciding if to drop other projects to focus on Texterview, implementing my ideas, BURNOUTTTTT.

The most recent and biggest, most frustrating.

Around October/November 2025, I lost about 60 topics that I had already curated questions for. I had been curating the questions for monthsss.

It was on a notes app that was supposed to auto-sync my notes to the cloud. I had been using it for years.

My bad not backing em up elsewhere, I learned the hard af way.

That moment hit me like a fuckin brick. I bawled, and for a split second, I was fuckin done. Felt like the universe just didn’t want this, like maybe it was a sign or somn💀

Right then, another part of my brain was like ‘you know damn well you can’t be fuckin done’ I had put in too much into Texterview, and this is my passion fr.

I talked myself through it and decided to just bawl it out, and figure out way forward.

I started over.

I was gonna launch with like 100 topics. That’s why Texterview will be launching with one topic. Although, I have 8-10 topics now.

I’m burned THE ACTUAL FUCK OUT.

Challenges are a part of stuff.

I lost the work. I lost the momentum.

I didn’t lose the reason. I didn’t lose my passion.

So I started again.

I’m here.

And for now, that’s enough.

What does holding space mean to you within Texterview?

Holding space, to me, means creating a safe place where people can be honest and come as they are, without being rushed, judged, or shaped by external expectations.

It means people stay in control at every point: what they share, how they share it, and whether they continue at all.

On Texterview, when someone shares their story, it always remains theirs.

They’re not giving it away.

They’re choosing to let it be witnessed.

How did you approach the question of sustainability for Texterview?

I really struggled with this.

Texterview is deep. Every option felt (and still feels) wrong. It felt like monetizing vulnerability, monetizing truth that ain’t even mine.

Ads are a no-no, obviously.

I considered donations. It felt more ‘noble’, fully by choice. but with time, it felt WRONGGGG af too. People who share on Texterview already give me everythingggg, their TRUTH, their VULNERABILITY, their TRUST.

Donations felt insane, like why tf would I still accept their money. They are why Texterview exists.

‘Oh yea tell me deep things about you, open up to me, this is a safe space….and if you want, I’ll accept your money too in addition’

crazy. It just feels….wrong af.

Shit, over the years during my back-and-forth with Texterview. One of my reasons for keeping the relaunch kind of a secret from people close to me was about monetisation. Most knew I was working on something, I just didn’t fully explain it. I had obsessed over ‘something I’m working on’ and constantly postponed the launch over years, that they most probably thought I was unserious with life or something lmao. 

I figured that telling people about it, most mentioned the earning potential, and I didn’t wanna go there. It’s def out of care on their part, like ‘the way you’re putting your all in this, you better have a plan to sustain’. But I was just focused on my passion, I always knew Texterview wouldn’t be like ‘lucrative’ money-wise. Monetization felt misaligned from the start.

So I decided to keep the details to myself. Not out of secrecy, out of protection. I didn’t want to be discouraged before the thing even existed.

For a long time, monetization was the last thing on my mind. I hadn’t even figured out Texterview itself yet. I just trusted that I’d find an ethical way to sustain it with time.

Over time, I decided on different ideas.

I’d share those ideas, but they’re kinda brilliant, and I might use em on another project, so I’ll gatekeep lmao.

but yea, I wanted something that’s a perfect balance of in line with the values of Texterview, sustainable, and doesn’t sell out Texterview to money.

At some point, I decided it might be too early to worry about sustainability, to launch first. 

But I figured it’s important to take a stance now, so people are okay with it before sharing, and to keep me accountable.

I can promise you something for sure. Texterview WILL NEVER EVER DERAIL FROM ITS VALUES FOR MONEY. Hold me to that💯

So I finally decided.

To monetize socials, but keep the Texterview space itself free from any outside influence.

On Texterview forms, people can promote their stuff. It’s included in their Texterview 

I then decided that since the website is free from external monetization, I could instead display promos of people who share on Texterview on the website.

It’s free from expectations. I decide if it’s featured, where it’s shown, and how long it stays.

I call it ‘Made By Voices’

So, the Texterview space is OURS. Free, safe, and focused on human experience.

When you see promo on the website tagged ‘Made by Voices’, it’s not corporate advertising type shit. It’s projects by real people sharing on Texterview. 

And please check them out of you’d like to. Let’s support one another 💖✨

What does sustainability mean to you, beyond money?

Sustainability means longevity.

It means continuing to provide a safe space that respects and protects the people who share here, together. 

It means staying true to the values Texterview is built on, no matter how it grows or changes.

How has Texterview shaped you and the way you see the world?

I truly can not find the words to go into detail right now.

Texterview has impacted me in all the best waysss. I call it the project of my life.

I’m open-minded, much more knowledgeable, empathetic, understanding, OPEN-MINDEDDDDDDDDDD.

I just….see life and people and humanity in a chill, better way. idk if that makes sense.

I also feel muuuuch cooler and smarter ngl. I have knowledge about a lot of topics. Texterviews take a lot of research to create questions, so I’ve learned and continue to learn.

The KNOWLEDGEEEEEEE. I also educate people close to me.

Life just feels… richer.

I truly can not put into words how honored I am that I get to create this, that people feel seen and understood.

It’s just everything to me. I’ve put so much of me into Texterview. Texterview feels like a reflection of me.

Texterview and I, we go together for real. 

I love, love, love doing this. This is my passion. And it’s just beautiful.

The love of my fuckin lifeee.

For someone reading, what would you want them to know? What quiet invitation are you extending?

I built Texterview to be welcoming.

To be inviting.

To be safe.

To be free of pressure and expectations.

And I truly hope that when you move through Texterview, you feel that.

I hope that you find Texterview to be a space worthy of your presence, worthy of your story.

Texterview is built for you.

And I’m very, very deeply honored that I get to hold space for stories like yours.

Thank you so much for checking out Texterview.

Please go through existing Texterview forms to fully understand the process and intention behind this space.

Texterview is a space for authenticity.

For the real.

For the human.

That’s the entire point here.

It has never been about perfection.

I hope that you feel comfortable being true, in whatever way that means for you.

Please take your time.

Whenever you’re ready, Texterview will always be here.

Thank you.

If you ever have any questions, please reach out to me through the chat button at the bottom right of your screen, or email: pteyra@texterview.com.