I started writing this blog almost a year ago. It was the end of my freshman year of college and I wanted a place to express my thoughts and opinions on an assortment of topics. As most of you reading this know- I have a lot to say. And most of the time, I don’t shy from saying it. But it took me a while to realize that what I say is important, important beyond my love of writing and conversation. It’s important because it’s an expression of deep passion. It’s important because the power of words is
immeasurable. It’s important because if I can help or inspire anyone, anywhere, at anytime: that lights up my world. It’s important because through words as my vehicle, I have been able to see myself grow into a young adult, and to mature and surge in confidence more than I thought was possible in a lifetime let alone a year.
Reading a lot of my past blog posts, I can still feel how much frustration and insecurity I was going through in a lot of my posts. I knew the way I wanted to feel about life: optimistic, open-minded, ready to tackle any obstacle, and just content with myself: but I don’t know that I could absorb that genuinely optimistic outlook for a long time. I can see the tension in my blogposts where I was essentially giving advice that
I wouldn’t follow myself. I would say “relax and enjoy life,” yet I would continually bust my ass harder than ever before. I would say “I’m good enough,” but I would never feel it. I would try to be constantly positive but simultaneously deal with personal problems that ate at me.

The point is, I’m so grateful for this blog for giving me documentation of my life and how far I’ve come. At 20 years old, I still have a heck of a lot to learn, but I also have about a million things I wish I could tell myself at 15, 16, 18, even the beginning stages of 20. I would tell myself that those quirky little things that make me unique: they’re awesome. I would tell myself that I’m going to accomplish far more than I thought was possible. I would tell myself that life is going to be okay. I would tell myself that one day, I will look at myself and actually be confident and proud. I would tell myself that my amazing support system will never give up on me. I would tell myself that I’m special and should never let anyone make me feel otherwise. I would tell myself that I’m in for some unforgettable adventures. I would tell myself that my tenacious spirit will take me far in life. I would tell myself that it is ok to love yourself and to be proud of that very sentiment. Most importantly I would look in those eyes that I think look like alien eyes and say: “You’re doing just fine, Jenna, you really are. Be easy on yourself.”

You’re all incredible and full of so much potential. Take advantage of it and be PROUD of yourself.

Keep Smiling,

Jenna

P.S. These pictures have nothing to do with the post as usual… just me + people and places that I love