Tell Me Why?! (Part 1)

As a lifelong Backstreet Boys fan... whenever I hear that statement, I often finish with "Ain't nothin' but a heartache" - even as I wrote this I sang it to myself. That's not what this is about! 

I am often asked why I chose to go into blogging. My response is always very simple - I want to make a difference in the world by sharing my truth. Sharing how I view things, and open up a dialogue that will allow for conversations we may not necessarily have otherwise. I want to share everything with the world, in a reserved manner. I want to create a community where we can be ourselves and stand united, even if we have varying opinions. 

I have wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I wanted to be a high school history teacher who spent her summers writing novels. Blogging is as close as I will get to writing a book at the moment, but I have not written that dream off yet. Teaching, however, took a huge backseat when I went for my master's degree in higher education. Leave it to the great state of Massachusetts for having one of THE most difficult exams to pass in the country, in order to become a teacher. I came within points of passing every time, so it's not that I couldn't do it.. but it just wasn't meant to be my career path. 

I want to use my voice. When I was younger, I told my parents that I would be the teacher that would get rid of the MCAS test in the state. If you don't know what the MCAS is ... it's a standardized test that you're required to pass your sophomore year of high school in order to be eligible for graduation. There are other times during a child's academic career when they need to take it - at least it used to be. 

We are all unique individuals who have our own opinions and outlooks. We all have a voice. Whether or not we decide to use it is our choice. Growing up, I was extremely opinionated. I always spoke my mind (respectfully, of course), and as I became an adult I sort of clammed up into my shell and felt that it didn't matter what I had to say (more on that at another time). After leaving my previous job, I had an entire week to myself. I had to find something to do, something to occupy my time. 

Not many people know this - but I ran a blog my entire senior year of college. Class of 2011

I was so proud of this work, and how it helped me process what I was experiencing, as a senior in COLLEGE. I felt a wide range of emotions that year, unsure if I was cut out for the real world. But, in typical Kat fashion, I took the challenge head on and just DID IT. Looking at how far I have come since running that blog ... talk about growth. Also - I am so glad I grew out of having to catalog every breath I took all over social media. YIKES.

Blogging, to me, is a therapeutic process. For some, it's posting recipes. For others, it's self help/advice. For some, it's a way to update family in other parts of the world. For others, it's healthy living tips and tricks. There are SO many niches for blogging. When I started this one, I wasn't sure what to call it. I had a lot to say, and nothing quite fit in the same box, which is how I landed on "Anything about Everything" - because that's what this blog is.

My hope is that by sharing my truth, my life experiences, my views - people will not think they are going through things alone. As someone who craves community (more on that in Part 2 of this chain), I am often looking for a place I can be myself. Where I can be true to who I am and what I stand for. Without having to hide parts of me that have been under wraps for so long. 

This blog is not a badge of honor. It's not a "look at me, I did something!" statement. It's not screaming for attention on a large scale. It's not a "feel bad for me because I struggle" type thing. It's not a competition. You want to do your own blog/vlog/IG series/YouTube series - DO IT!  

It IS, however, my creative outlet. It IS where I can tell my story. It IS a place for people to feel accepted for who they are and what they stand for. It IS not going anywhere - as I have much more to share. Not just personal things either - there are so many things in the pipeline that I cannot WAIT to share with y'all! 

As always, thank you for allowing me to speak my truth. For reading these even when it seems like the post is going everywhere but where it started. For accepting me for who I am. Y'all are the real MVPs! 

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week... it's going to be EPIC.