I started blogging at the emotionally awkward age of 11 years old. My “boyfriend” at the time had taught me about Xanga and Livejournal. Although I don’t often submit myself to the embarrassment, I’m still able to go back and read those entries. This taught me two things — 1) How to be open about my own experience and 2) How to properly spell (because the same “boyfriend” would correct every mistake I would make).

I’ve always found people the most interesting when they’re open and available to sharing their experience with others. I believe in a previous time, the only acceptable way of living was to put on a face and pretend everything in your life was perfect, or at the very least to keep your issues as internal, private battles. The shift in the last 10 – 15 years for people to be open, vulnerable, and willing to share what they’re going through, even when it’s not particularly positive, has been one of extreme importance. Unfortunately this leaves you open to others holding onto their perceived judgments of what’s being shared, but it also enables others going through similar experiences or emotions to feel accepted and no longer alone.

So, if you’re reading this, I ask you to read my blog as best you can without judgment, and I hope you find that you’re a little less alone in this big, crazy life than you felt previously.