The Post About Me Wanting To Post

scarf / fair, top / old navy, shorts / old navy, socks / sock market

I almost didn't write this post.

At the beginning of the year, I decided I was going to post every single weekend for the entire year. Never, ever miss a week.

And I haven't. There's even been a couple bonus posts thrown in there.

But yesterday, as I was walking around the house aimlessly trying to think of a post for this weekend when I should have been doing school, I thought, 'why bother?'

I have just three of my five classes from this semester to finish, and then I'm done with high school (!!!). I'm also trying to work more, prepping for competition with my team and of course doing my own skating, and planning my graduation. Then there's States Activities Day for 4H next week and lots of weekend plans with friends this week.

So really: with so much to do, and the burning desire to just finish school, why take the time to post?

I decided to take a break, and not post until I had finished my three classes. Go completely silent on the blog and tumblr. Then, I'd pop back in and be fine after that.

And yet, here I am.

Old habits die hard. This June, it will be three years since I've started this blog. And overall, that's been a pretty consistent three years. I really want to post this weekend.

It's not because I have a million followers and people who will jump down my throat (or notice at all) if I skip. It's not that I make money from my blog and have requirements to meet (well, not yet anyways). It's simply that I like coming here every week and sharing what's been on my mind. I like having this little community, where I can express my thoughts and any feedback is always so kind, positive, and on point.

I really, really love my wi-fi, guys. And I kinda love social media. It gets a bad rap (for legitimate reasons, honestly), but I can't help but think it's just such a huge blessing. With no limitations but our own creative juices, we have the opportunity to write, film, edit, create, and then share that stuff for anyone in the world to see. The internet has provided so many opportunities for creatives to make a living from just that--creating. Okay, some people might think it's stupid when Rhett and Link answer the all important question, Will It Hotpocket?, but isn't it kind of amazing that the internet's allowed them to turn that into their job?

Okay, I realize I'm totally rambling at this point. I basically just wanted to post to tell you guys I wanted to post. So yeah.

Happy Weekend! xoxo

prom (and gushing)

You know what's cool?

Being really, really different. Really, really, you. Really, really, un-cool.

We had prom last week. These are our photos. These sexy people are so, so dear to my heart. And every single one of them is so un-cool in the coolest way possible. I'm bragging for them today, because they're all too kind to brag enough about themselves.

From left to right:

Skyler is probably one of the most genuinely kind, gracious people I have ever met. She works so hard at her fast-food job, and her house-cleaning job. On top of that, she helps her mother (who's in politics) and rocks homeschooling. Plus she swing dances. I know.

Lily (my cousin!) is straight up hilarious. She plays basketball, and rides horses, and works weekends. She's one of my favorite people to get phone calls from, and is always up for adventures.

Rachel, aside from looking like a fashion model, is wicked smart and driven (she's doing early acceptance for med school!). We have a pretty constant email-stream going, and she's always so supportive and kind!

Also, let's talk about my dress. Even though she was in the middle of finals, Dia made it for me after I was complaining about buying one. This is just one example of all the times she's gone out of her way to do something special for me. I cannot gush about her enough. :)

Turner has an awesome, sarcastic sense of humor, composes his own dubstep, and is working towards his pilot's license. Oh, he also has a DJing business. And he DJ'd prom. So yeah.

Caleb is a dork. But he's also one of the most loyal, true friends I've ever met. He's really good at acting, mumbling funny comments under his breath, and is generally one of the best partners-in-crime around.

AJ (my brother!) wore purple high tops to prom, so there's that. Also he built his own PC, plays piano, has overall great taste in music, and let's me take advantage of his Dunkin Donuts gift cards.

Jacob is an emoji aficionado, shows dairy cows with 4H, and went to the Junior Olympics for fencing. :) He's always up for a video chat on skype, and tolerates Dia and I's craziness. Sorta.

Moral of the story: be so uncool you're cool. These dorks have my heart (and also: thanks for putting up with me guys).

Happy Weekend! xoxo

11 Quotes to Cut the Haters and Go For It

While we all know how important it is to have faith, be unique, work really hard, and never stop believing in yourself, let's face it: sometimes it's really hard to battle insecurity and self-doubt. And dealing with people who don't understand/support what you're trying to do can be exhausting.

With that in mind, I've pulled together my favorite quotes to inspire you to cut the haters and just go for it. Release the rockstar, my friend.

Just in case you've forgotten.

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Remember, they don't really know YOU. Surprise them.

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Starting over is always an option.

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Step one to being awesome: don't be a miserable cow.

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Our favorite stories are those where the heroes overcome obstacles. Translate that to your life.

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You are always in control of yourself. You decide how you react and what you pursue.

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Don't be like the rest of them, Darling.

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Sometimes what the world sees as a fault is actually our strength. Don't apologize for who you are.

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Get up out of bed and create a life you love.

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Small minds have no place here.

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And finally, don't let people scare you.

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Happy Weekend! xoxo

Also: Permission To Shine, 5 Attitudes for a Happier Spring, and You Know All Those Things You've Always Wanted To Do?

Permission To Shine

#permissiontoshine, as Instagrammed by the amazing Hilary Rushford, has to be one of my favorite things the interwebz.

It's a phrase that I keep coming back to when I'm needing a little more motivation. As the school year is finishing up, I'm thinking more about this next part of my life. I have definite goals and clear 'first-steps' to get me there, but there are SO many parts that are still hazy. Cheesy as it sounds, in my heart I know that I need to do what I'm setting out to do. I am passionate about the things I want to pursue. I'm willing to work my butt off for them. And isn't that what really matters?

But, honestly, there's so much doubt. I've complained before about how much getting flak from people bugs me. Lately, the flak I get has just been bringing up my own insecurities. Huh, this thing I wanna do is gonna be really hard plus there's probably a low success rate? Wow! Never thought of that, before! Thanks for the heads up, people!

Here's the thing though: it's not their fault. It's mine. End of the day, no one (and no amount of flak) is holding me back. And it's immature and ignorant to make that my excuse for not trying my hardest. Instead, I have to look doubt in the face and tell myself, "you have permission to chase this and do your best and take a risk and see what happens."

And to me, that's what #permissiontoshine is all about. It's we as individuals giving ourselves permission to be our best selves. So often we hold ourselves back. Maybe we think it's too risky, or too weird, or too hard, or simply that we're not good enough. "Who are we", we say, "to do something different? Make something great? We're NORMAL."

Just know this: you are NOT normal. Normal is mediocre and boring and easy (but not worth it).

Instead, you are great. Strong. Powerful. Smart. You've got a heart of gold, killer style, gut instincts worth trusting and a quick-to-learn brain. You are artsy and inspiring and you're very own self to the core. And you must give yourself the permission to:

Try.
Risk.
Fail.

Try again.
Work crazy hours.
Push yourself to your limits.
Be out of the box.

Keep going even when the world calls you crazy.
Believe in yourself with a fiery passion.
Take a mental health day when you need it.
Jump on opportunities.
Follow your heart.
Trust your gut.

I believe that we all have the capacity to do something great (in a big or small way) and make some contribution to the world. But I also believe only a handful of us tap that potential. For me, giving myself the Permission To Shine means allowing myself to always give my all, on the chance that I have something important to give.

Faith is not an easy thing to keep. That surprised me, even though it shouldn't have. But while I've learned faith is sometimes hard to have, I've also learned it's vital. We must have faith in God. In hard work. In love. In truth and the power of doing what's right.

And....in ourselves. We must believe that there's something for us to do here. And then make the decision to chase it, believe it, live it. I don't know about you, but I think our futures look bright.

Happy Weekend! xoxo