Something I have learned over the past few years is I’m different than the rest of my family. As I’ve learned more about myself, I’ve realized that growing up mostly in the 2000’s and especially the 2010’s has changed me into a person who isn’t like the rest of what I’ve known for my whole life.

As many people know, my dad was arrested in 2012 causing me to quickly grow up. Throughout these past 4 years, I have been dealing with the consequences of growing up too fast but also enjoying the beauty of it.

I am more open to things. A lot of my family grew up with strict, traditional values and I am embracing the cards that have been dealt to me personally and handling things in my own way. I am more open to different kinds of experiences, ways of life, etc.

When most of my family members were raised, they were raised in times that were different than now. Most of them don’t understand why I am the way I am, why I do what I do, how I handle things, etc.

I am more out there. My family is awesome for sure, don’t get me wrong. But they were raised on very conservative and traditional values. I was too but I then soon grew out of them. I don’t want to apologize for this. And I probably won’t. I am happy with who I am, how I act, how I’ve turned out, etc. I appreciate my traditional values and of course I still agree with some of them but I can’t agree on everything. I grew up sheltered. 100%. I was hidden away from the bad things of this world until 4 years ago. And so I had to adjust. Over the past few years, I’ve met so many incredible people that have helped to shape me into who I am now.

I am a go getter. I am all about traveling and enjoying life. I have always thought my cousins were so lucky that they get to move all the time. My sister got to go away for college. And I’ll probably be the next to move. I want to travel the world and be happy.

I’m just different.

I met my boyfriend online.

I don’t like going to school; I’d much rather just do it all online.

I’m a feminist.

I don’t like going to church because of past experiences but I still love Jesus.

I would much rather work from home but I still love my job.

I would much rather be upfront, even if I'm not good at it sometimes.

I believe that things happen for a reason.

I believe that YouTube will always be a better form of entertainment than normal cable TV.

I believe that I am in control of my life and no one else.

I am happy with who I am. I’m not going to change. Some people tend to be disappointed in the choices that I make. Some people are proud of me for who I am. If you can’t be proud of me, that’s a fault in yourself. I am going to do what I want and I’m going to be who I want. I’m making my own choices now.

I am different.

And that’s okay.