One of my goals for my blog this year is to continue posting with transparency, occasionally placing myself in a vulnerable position & by providing content that hits a personal, sometimes relatable note for you guys as my readers. My hope is that by being open & aiming to present myself as more approachable, there will be a beneficial takeaway for someone going through a similar moment in his/her life as well.

To kick off this 2019 goal, I’ve decided to share 7 things I’m certain I’ve never shared on my blog or social media before. Some of these facts are silly, but 2 of them took a wee bit of courage to publish. So here goes!

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Squeaky noises make the bridge of my nose hurt (especially car wipers)

I know, so bizarre… It’s a similar reaction to cringing from nails on a chalkboard but can’t explain why the bridge of my nose is the location of discomfort.

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I collected comic books & action figures as a kid

When I was in middle school, I became obsessed with DC Comics & Marvel superhero comics. My dad, who was beyond thrilled over my enthusiasm, would take me to a local comic store once a week for current & vintage copies of anything relating to Batman & Robin, Superman, Iron Man, etc. My favorite TV show at the time was Teen Titans on Cartoon Network (the original one) & I collected/played with the action figures instead of Barbies. #Tomboy

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Two of my past relationships were very ugly

I dated two different guys in my teens/early 20’s (college years) that demonstrated, to me, what an emotionally & mentally abusive relationship was like. When I compare myself to then & now, it makes sense why I’ve put an iron cage around my heart for all these years since and why I’m still somewhat guarded when it comes to my emotions.

It’s something I sought therapy over for a few years; I had to learn to love myself & know my self-worth in order to progress. And as a result, I’m fortunate to be in a healthy & happy relationship today.

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I’m obsessed with onions

I’m not kidding when I say that I’d totally bite into an onion raw, like an apple, on a dare & most likely enjoy it. There’s something about them that drive my taste buds wild with delight. Whether they’re raw or caramelized, there’s no preparation of an onion I won’t eat!

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Not a fan of Yoga

I really can’t stand it. A workout for me is something high-impact and keeps my mind busy. Yoga makes me get into my head too much, and I find myself feeling bored or stressed rather than relaxed. I’ve tried many classes for many years & at the end of the day, it’s not for me. 

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I constantly struggle with feeling inadequate for success

All my life, I’ve felt like I’m “almost there” but never going to be good enough to see pure success. It started with riding, when I had moments of feeling like an elite rider but then getting it cut short with a series of unlucky strikes (i.e. my horse getting injured right before a huge competition I worked all year to get to) and thus, my career not exceeding the path it could’ve gone.

Sadly, I’m finding myself doubting my ability to make blogging full-time feel successful enough to purely sustain itself, without intense struggle. Most of us are aware that what you see online is not always the case in reality, which is why I’m sharing it here & will happily talk more about if someone finds this degree of vulnerability helpful. It certainly can prove to be therapeutic for me in the process as well.

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I always put the toilet lid down

Mostly to prevent anything from falling in from the cabinet above in my bathroom (towels, products, etc.) But regardless I always put it down no matter what bathroom I’m in. There’s nothing attractive about leaving it up.

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Vest: J Crew (old, similar here) | Fuzzy Sweater | Denim: Rag & Bone | Booties: ASOS | Sunnies: MVMT | Watch: MVMT

Ps, use code TOBEBRIGHT15 for 15% off all MVMT sunnies & watches!

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