I’m quirky. I dress up to go to the grocery store and I sing along to Elvis Presley when I’m taking a shower. I’m obsessed with cat decor and I adore the color pink. I prefer staying in and reading a good book to going out and partying. James Dean is my Justin Bieber and I’m not much of a camper. You’re probably wondering why I’m telling you all these random facts about myself like I’m on a first date. Why am I telling you things about myself when you as a reader don’t even know me? Why should you know my favorite food (Pizza) and my favorite movie (Breakfast at Tiffany’s) when you cracked open this magazine to get a quick read? I want whoever reads this to know me. All the bits and pieces. The good, the bad, and the super weird. Okay, maybe not the SUPER weird but I want us to be friends. I want you to laugh with me and feel something when you read my work. I want this little relationship we have as writer and reader to be like a friendship. Like you’re at your favorite coffee shop with a hot cocoa talking with a good friend. So sit down, grab a cup of your favorite drink and let’s get to know each other.
Like a lot of girls growing up; I liked the color pink, I wanted to be a Disney princess, and I took ballet lessons. I didn’t like to get dirty, I collected Barbie dolls, and I wore dresses to school. Now as a twenty-year-old college girl, I’ve changed quite a bit but I still adore the color pink. When I started college, I realized how different I was than other girls my age. There was nothing wrong with these girls, but I just didn’t share the same values and tastes. I didn’t enjoy partying, my music taste was a little out there, and so were my outfits. Everyone seemed to mesh together perfectly, and I stood out like a missing puzzle piece. I was running late one day during my freshman year and I ran to catch the bus that normally took me to my morning lecture. I enjoy dressing up for pretty much any occasion so it was no surprise I was wearing something dressy on this day. I, however, usually arrived early to the bus stop and was one of the first people to get on. Thankfully the bus driver saw my frantic waving and opened the doors for me. The bus was packed with students and they all stared at me when I walked on. Normally this wouldn’t bother me, but I noticed their eyes were directed at my outfit. I was sporting a pair of black overalls and an off the shoulder crop top. I was totally feeling it in the mirror before I left my dorm, but now it was making me feel like a complete dork. For a split second, I regretted my choice but then I realized this is who I am. I feel confident in this. Why do I care so much about what other people think? So I put my headphones and a big smile. I blasted my music and tightened the straps of my overalls.
Now as a junior, I express myself through my outfits. I found friends who share my taste in music and I smile at the confused stares. I’m not cookie cutter… and that’s totally ok. I’m a girl living in her own wonderland. I see things through rose colored glasses. I learned to embrace my quirkiness and I want you to do the same. This is for anyone who feels different and is thinking about changing. Don’t change. Wear your funky outfits, and listen to whatever you want to. Wave to everyone staring at your outfit with a big smile, and spend your Friday night at the library if you want. Be uniquely you and live without regrets. Life is so much sweeter when love yourself.