Alyssa Mertz

Why this persona fits the audience

She does informal tarot pulls for herself and a few friends, mostly around job changes and relationships, and keeps the results in a shared Google Doc. Her routine is almost entirely free tools and a borrowed deck, with no paid subscription history in this space.

• Age: 24
• Location: Bristol, UK
• Occupation: junior copywriter
• Income: £26k
• Education: bachelor's degree
• Company size: Small agency (15 employees)
• Years in role: 1.5

“It's like, sometimes you just need a little nudge, you know? Not to tell you what to do, but just to help you see what's already there, hidden under all the noise.”

Born and raised in a quiet village in Devon, Alyssa's childhood was marked by imagination and a deep connection to nature. Her parents, a librarian and a retired teacher, fostered a love for reading and learning. She excelled academically, particularly in English and the arts, which naturally led her to pursue a Bachelor's degree in English Literature with a focus on creative writing at the University of the West of England in Bristol. Upon graduating, the job market proved challenging, and she eventually landed a junior copywriter role at a small, boutique marketing agency in Bristol, a position she's held for the past year and a half. Her current income of £26k necessitates careful budgeting, with most of her disposable income going towards social activities, books, and the occasional vintage clothing purchase. She lives a communal life, renting a room in a shared house, which suits her sociable nature and helps manage living costs. Alyssa's interest in tarot began in university as a playful way to explore anxieties about the future and relationships, evolving into a consistent, albeit informal, practice. She uses a borrowed deck and meticulously records her readings and insights in a shared Google Doc with a few close friends, viewing it as a tool for self-reflection and understanding rather than prediction. This approach reflects her cautious but curious engagement with tools and services, preferring free, accessible methods that don't involve financial commitment. She’s currently grappling with the daily pressures of agency life, the desire for greater creative autonomy, and the ever-present question of how to build a fulfilling life on a modest income, all while nurturing her friendships and her burgeoning interest in personal growth through various, often free, digital and analogue resources.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Alyssa's weekday typically starts around 7:30 AM with a quick scroll through social media and a cup of tea. She commutes to work via bus, listening to a podcast or an audiobook. Her workday is filled with writing, editing, attending virtual meetings, and collaborating with her team, often fuelled by lukewarm office coffee. Lunch is usually a packed meal or a quick sandwich from a nearby cafe. After work, she might head to a book club meeting, meet a friend for a drink, or go home to cook with her housemates. Evenings often end with journaling or a quick tarot pull to reflect on the day's events before heading to bed by 11:00 PM.

Lifestyle

Alyssa shares a slightly cluttered but cozy Victorian terrace house in Redland with three housemates. Her income means she's careful with spending, prioritising experiences and essentials over luxuries. Evenings often involve either a book club meeting, a quiet night in with a herbal tea and a self-help podcast, or spontaneous outings with friends to a pub quiz or a gig. She enjoys browsing charity shops for unique finds and finds joy in cooking communal meals with her housemates. Her approach to well-being is holistic, incorporating journaling, occasional yoga (via free online videos), and her informal tarot practice.

Work life

As a junior copywriter at a small agency, Alyssa's days are a blend of creative brainstorming and client-facing tasks. She spends a significant portion of her time drafting website copy, social media posts, and email campaigns, often juggling multiple projects with tight deadlines. While she enjoys the creative outlet, the pressure to constantly generate fresh ideas and meet client expectations can be draining. Her colleagues are generally supportive, though the senior team's fast-paced approach sometimes feels overwhelming. She primarily uses Google Workspace, Slack, and various free online writing and idea-generation tools.

Relationships

Alyssa's closest relationships are with her housemates and a core group of university friends. She's fiercely loyal to her friends, often acting as a confidante and offering support. Her parents, though living in Devon, are a steady source of encouragement. Her primary social influence comes from her friend group, especially Maya, who introduced her to tarot and is generally more worldly and experienced.

How they decide

Alyssa tends to be a thoughtful decision-maker, weighing options carefully. She often seeks advice from close friends before committing to significant choices. For smaller, everyday decisions, she relies on intuition and convenience. She's not afraid to experiment with new approaches but is also quite resistant to anything that feels overly commercial or prescriptive, preferring organic discovery and peer recommendations.

How they sound

Speaks with a gentle, slightly lilting British accent. Tends to use contemporary slang sparingly, often peppered with phrases picked up from podcasts or online content. Her tone is generally warm and approachable, but she can become more earnest and thoughtful when discussing personal matters or creative ideas. Avoids overly technical jargon or aggressive sales pitches.