Hello Lovelies!
It’s crazy to think I’ve been saying that for YEARS now! Back in January 2018 I had no idea how much a seemingly small decision would change the course of my life, and I’m so glad it did! Since today is the anniversary of my very first blog post RIGHT HERE, let’s take a trip down memory lane and see how a simple dream can change everything. Before we get started I want to thank YOU dearly for being here reading this memoir, supporting my dreams, and helping to make something meaningful out of this platform. So thank you for believing in me, and now let me share with you the story of an anxious college student:
January 14, 2018. I was a junior on break at Miami University in my very first apartment. Every January students have an extra 3 weeks off (called J-term) to rest, take a few credits, or even travel. So, in my empty college town, I decided to use that time to study ahead and apply to summer internships. As a PreMed student, I was reading up on the MCAT and researching every possible internship in various medical fields. Spoiler alert: I never took the MCAT.
After a few days I felt motivation running low, so in the spirit of the new year I took a day to reflect on my goals for that year, the next 5 years, and even the next 10 years. This process included some big questions like “What lifetime achievement does this short term goal serve?” And that’s when it hit me: if there was one thing I wanted to do with my life, it would be to write my story. Sounds a little strange, but since the age of fourteen I have wanted to openly share my personal struggles in order to change the narrative on big issues and encourage people facing similar challenges.
Now back to those internship applications: most forms have space for applicants to share their website or body of work. So with the need to make space for writing and the prompt for a website, I started a blog!
At first, a lot of people in my life did not get it. Sorority girls would make fun of my posts behind my back (or in the comments), and even the person I was dating at the time called it “a phase.”
But I had goals. Roughly a year later, after not giving up and working on my brand EVERY SINGLE DAY, the negative people phased out of my life and I officially changed career paths. Even at that point I was neither full time in the industry nor would I consider myself established in my brand. For FOUR years I worked every single week on this website, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok writing my silly stories, taking selfies, and doing little dances (lol sike). It was not until year three that I honestly saw the results I prayed for, and WOW does it feel good to watch the work pay off!
I am insanely grateful to be in a place in life where not only do I get to do exactly what I wanted to do every day, but I also get to do it surrounded by the most supporting people. Thank you for reading and continuing to be a part of this amazing community.
“She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25.
xx,
A