why I blog

Updated version: I started my blog in my first semester of college. For an escape and a place to share my thoughts. Five months later, it's hard to believe how much it's grown. A week ago, I wrote my first viral post! Crazy. Now I'm on my own site, with a name other than my own, ready to make things happen.

Though much has changed in the last couple of months, my reasons for blogging have not!

I contemplated blogging for months 
I read article after article, blog after blog, about how to start one, why to blog, the do and don'ts of blogging, etc. It was overwhelming and for months I let myself be discouraged by this. The week that I finally wrote my first post, I wrote the blog first and took the rest of the week to decide which blog site to use. I liked the way I could personalize Blogger and make it my own. Plus it was super easy to use! However, I quickly outgrew blogger and began looking for something more professional.

Writing for comfort and empowerment
That week, I was so homesick I didn't know what to do with myself. I wanted nothing more than to go home, but that wasn't an option. Writing has always comforted me. I've kept various journals for years, but never actually kept up with them. I never minded writing papers in high school or the dreaded scholarship essays. I actually have my writing skills to thank for many of the scholarships I received. So when I was battling the worst homesickness I've ever experienced, I decided to write about it. When writing "battling homesickness", I thought if I could take my experiences and turn them into something that could possibly help someone else, that maybe it would help me as well.

I only shared my first blog post with about three people; my mom, Nolan, and Abby. I wasn't blogging in hopes of recognition, I was just happy to write and even happier if someone else happened to like what I wrote. Week two I wrote "When Your Best Friend Goes to The Army" and again shared it with Abby. I thank her for the encouragement to share it with the world of social media.

Finding myself
About the time that I was dealing with major homesickness I barely passed my first economics exam. For some reason I thought ag economics was what I wanted to do with my life... Boy was I wrong. I actually hate economics. So then set in the panic of what am I going to change my major to? Agricultural Communications and Journalism had been in the back of my mind since my first visit to College Station this summer. They say if you do what you love you'll never work a day in your life. So ag comm it is! Well, until I change my mind again because lets be real, who in college actually knows what they're going to do with their life? For real, ag comm it is. I love it!

To clear my mind
I don't have a list of blog topics stashed away and a calendar of when I'm going to write about what. I just write about what is on my mind, whether it be that week, that day, or maybe just that second that I open up my laptop and sit down to write. Some weeks you may love my blog, some weeks you may hate it. I most definitely don't love everything I write. If just one of my blogs makes you smile, helps you get through something, or is even just relate-able, that's enough for me.

It is so important to take a little time each week and doing something for yourself. That's why I blog.

Please continue to share when you like what you see! I appreciate it a ton.

Thanks y'all

disappointments do not define you

Some events in our lives can seem like the end of the world. My every hope, dream, and aspiration seemed to be crushed last January when I didn’t win the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Contest. 

Putting every ounce of your passion, time, and energy into something for it to not go your way is devastating. It takes a while to recover your confidence and self worth. 

Now, ten months later I realize that single most disappointing moment in my life is the best thing that ever happened to me...

Here's why:

I was so confident in myself going into states. I put everything I had into the preparation. I executed my introduction and speech just like I had practiced, and I handled the interview with grace. I couldn't figure out (and still can't) where I made mistakes. But had I won, I might not have realized how important it is to know and believe that someone else's opinion does not define you.

I wanted to be the state fair queen for so many reasons; passion for agriculture, love for fairs, etc. However, another important aspect was the ability to take a semester off college. Six more months after graduation to figure my life out sounded so perfect to me. Not winning forced me to make decisions.

Ask anyone very close to me, it took forever for me to truly get over it. Once I did, I jumped head first into every opportunity that I could find to promote my fair, 4-H, agriculture, and the fair queen program. From this came many opportunities and experiences that I never would have had. 

You hear this saying all the time, but I truly realized months later, everything happens for a reason.  During my reign, the queen coordinator position changed hands. Somewhere along the line a lot of important information was lost. Thankfully, I had it all. I was able to play a huge role in promoting the Somerset County Fair Queen Contest and helping two wonderful people make it a success. God knows what he's doing. Trust him. 

The funny thing is, I also realized that deep down it really wasn't what I wanted anyways. Yes, being the State Fair Queen is an awesome experience. But instead, I showed my pigs and steer all spring and summer long. I was able to work alongside my best friend every single day until she left for the Army. I enjoyed my friends before we all left for college. I had fun. Had I won, I would've ran from responsibility and life by taking a semester off of college. I guarantee I would not be where I am right now. 

I was humbled. What I thought to be the end of the world, made me brave, strong, and courageous.

Looking back I would not have it any other way.

Rockwood Fall Festival Parade

2015 Queen Contest with Gale and Larry, the wonderful new coordinators

& 2015 Somerset County Fair Queen Jillian Svonavec

Planting Activity at Maple Ridge Elementary School

Fun fact: Miss M was the fair queen too!

2014 Fair

Thanks for lifting me up when I was down.

to my struggling friend in college

College is a series of triumphs and defeats, with the defeats seeming to come more often than the triumphs. As a high school student college looks so fun. Why? Because the people you follow on Instagram don’t post pictures of themselves crying with stacks of homework, the D they made on their first exam, or their planner full with four tests in one week. This scenario accurately describes my first 8 weeks of college way better than the posts on my very own social media. I think we want so badly to look like we’re having the time of our lives, but the truth is, we are all struggling at least a bit.

To my struggling friend,

We talk often, but it took a while for me to notice that you’re feeling defeat. I am sorry for that. But you are not alone. I know college is hard, and it’s beating me down too. I don’t know how to be this dedicated, or how to study. Some days (actually most days), I’m not sure I even know how to read.

I’m stressed too. When we talk, I mostly tell you about the fun I’m having and you usually do the same. Yeah college life is fun, don’t get me wrong. But the work load is so much and the classes are hard. I often feel like I’m in way over my head. Not only is college hard, but being an adult in general isn't easy. We’ll both get through it though. I believe in you more than I believe in myself most days.

I miss you a ton and I think about you often. I am happy that you made friends because I made some too. Not even a thousand miles can change our friendship. I can’t wait until I see you again!

If you get a bad grade and need to cry, call me and I’ll cry too. When you study so hard and finally get an A, call me and I’ll celebrate with you.

Don’t let college get you down. You are stronger than that. Think of all the people we know with college degrees; if they can do it, we can do it!

Xoxo,

Your also struggling friend

P.S.   I should’ve been studying, but instead I wrote this blog. I’m thinking about you, so cheer up soon! I am proud of you no matter what.