Social Media Boldness

Hey everyone!

I've been MIA for a while.. school is busy and I've been stressed and overwhelmed. I'm going to try to manage my time better so I actually have time for all of the things that I want and need to get accomplished.

Today in a communication class, my teacher was discussing our lack of inhibition when it comes to online communication. People are much bolder and often times more insulting when it comes to commenting and discussing things online.

I've seen plenty of YouTube comments that are just awful towards the person in the video or another user leaving a comment. I've never quite understood why this happens. My guess is that for some people it's simply a way to let out internal hurt and disappointment by tearing down a person they've never met.

For me, and for others, the online blogging and YouTube "community" is a place where it's easier to share and be open with others. When it's too intimidating to reveal much about your personality by speaking face to face, people turn to the internet. But there are people ruining this sense of community and comfort.

I've personally had people attack me through private messaging, but never through a completely open channel like commenting. I'm not sure what the best way to tackle this issue is, but it certainly should be addressed more often.


Have you ever left a mean comment? What do you think users should do about it?

Spring has sprung

Hey everyone!

Spring has technically not sprung, but my spring semester at college has started!
I have been really busy getting settled and readjusting to my college schedule after having almost a month off. That's why the blog hasn't been updated much.

I really do plan on sticking with this so don't worry!

I have a couple of really exciting things going on that hopefully I can tell you about soon.
But for now, you will just have to be patient with me!

I'm also in the market for some easy and healthy food ideas that I can make in a dorm room, meaning they don't need a stove or oven.

Sincerely, Paige

Any ideas? What are the quick and yummy foods you eat often?

Merry Christmas

Hey everyone!

Since it's Christmas Eve, I imagine a festive holiday post is in order!

This Christmas, the thing that's been most on my mind, is the way that our culture has become so materialistic. I know it's been this way for a while, but as a twenty year old, the "magic" of the presents has started to wear off. I appreciate the idea of buying something special for those you love, but the day isn't about stuff.

This year I found myself more agitated by the pressure of presents than exhilarated by the idea of my family's faces when they opened gifts on Christmas morning. I think that the shopping, traffic, and rush of the holidays has completely overshadowed the idea of simply spending time with your family. What I will always have are the memories that I make with my family, not what they bought me on Christmas. I will remember the traditions more than the treasures.

I am so thankful for this year, for the changes and growth I have experienced, and most importantly the family I was born into and the friends I have found. I am so blessed and grateful for their love and support in everything I have done this year.

So, tomorrow, I will be spending my time relaxing and soaking up my time with them.

Now I realize that this is quite a sappy post, but I think it's allowed as it is Christmas time. :] Try to remember the real reason that we even celebrate Christmas and embrace the time with your family.

Sincerely, Paige


Do you have any traditions or special memories? Leave me a comment below!

Learning about Me

Hey everyone!

Tonight, my roommate and I took a personality test online. Click here!

I've been continually struggling with my major and future career choices. I am a worrier, so not knowing what my next step should be is particularly terrifying. And, as the semester comes to a close, we are required to pick classes for next semester. I have juggled majors quite often over the last few months.

I decided today to actually utilize one of our few free on campus resources: Calling and Career Center. They advised me to take a couple of career assessments. Not that they were unhelpful, but the tests were not especially satisfying in their results. I wasn't guided into a career like I hoped I would be.
I guess it's a problem to expect a simple online test to simply say "Tah Dah! Here's your perfect career choice!".

Another thing I'm discovering that college preparation is lacking is an aspect of involvement in choosing a major. Most people I know just pick something. Nothing particular is done in order to make sure students are actively looking into their personal strengths.
Our college makes us take a strengths finder test. But, nothing is stressed after that for each student. I know it would be asking a lot to make time to meet with each incoming Freshman. But I think that for students that come into college without knowing what exactly they want to study, it would be beneficial to see what they are particularly talented in.

After taking to my roommate, an advisor, and my mom, I realized that I really do have an interest in English. I realized that my Strengths would work in an English degree.
It's important that students have a knowledge of their talents. More so than needing to have an idea of a major when they step foot on campus, students need to realize they have talents in them naturally. They've been conditioned to think they just have to make a decision.

Everyone has a natural talent and skill set that prepares them for a specific purpose. I think more students should spend time trying to learn about themselves before deciding on a career for the rest of their lives.

Ok, end of scattered thoughts.
Thanks for reading my crazy, scrambled, ideas!

Sincerely, Paige

Occupation: Unknown

Hey everyone!

Today I want to share with you all some things that have been on my mind and heart as of this week.

I want to preface this post by saying that the last thing I want this blog to become is a negative space where my readers and I rant and rave about things we do not like.

I am currently a Sophomore college student. I feel extremely blessed to be able to attend college on a scholarship that only requires me to keep a high A grade point average. I am extremely fortunate to be in college without going into debt that will follow me for years.

But, lately I have started to contemplate the way that young adults are told to continue their education. As of now, I have thought about three different majors, and so many careers I could not even tell you all of them. I am confused and still unsure of where I will or should end up in life and what my occupation will be (if I choose to pursue a career and not be a stay at home mom..maybe another post on that later).

In high school, most kids are taught basic education like reading, math, history, and sciences. These things are extremely important and help us to be good citizens of our country and communicate with others in an intelligent way.

What I feel that this does not prepare us for is trying to enter college, at the young age of 18, knowing what we would like to do for the rest of our working lives. By learning these things, we have no experience of the business world, or the medical field, or being a professional writer. We don't have experience in the work force. We haven't tried to learn what the day of an accountant or pastor is like.

I know some people grow up knowing their calling, but I for one, did not spend time in high school thinking about a future job. I was just trying to do my homework and get good grades on the tests that week.

I think that taking time to learn about your strengths and weaknesses is a good thing. Trying to find what makes you tick, makes you happy, and feel like you are accomplishing positive change in the world is really important. I think that a gap year is a positive thing and might affect a lot of students decisions to continue in school, if they knew going in what they wanted to study.

Another part of this discussion I've been having with myself, is wondering whether an almost "necessary" college experience is good for every young adult. I do not mean that college is unnecessary  for everyone and I know that some jobs definitely require schooling after graduating high school (uh, doctors please!).

But maybe, we all need to take a step back and think about what we really care about in life. Maybe defining ourselves by our calling isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Maybe the most important thing is finding a place where you feel you can make a positive difference and change lives of people around you.

Sincerely, Paige

Affirmations & Epiphanies

Hey everyone!

It is currently 2 am. I unfortunately took a two hour nap today and am now not sleepy. Oh the joys of being a college student.

I apologize for my absence. I've been having a case of blogger's block.

But today I had an epiphany. I had a teacher tell me that I was good at accounting. I hate that class and know that I would be unhappy in choosing accounting as a career. But after leaving that class, I automatically reevaluated my major choice. I realized today how easily swayed and encouraged (or discouraged) I am by having other people tell me I am good at something.

In the car with my fiance, I had a moment. I had a clear, strong thought that life isn't about having other people confirm me and my actions.

My blogging isn't about having other people think I'm good at it. It isn't about getting a huge audience that follows my every move. It isn't about getting comments and affirmation about my writing. It's a hobby. It's something I enjoy and should do because I like it. I should continue to blog because it makes me feel happy, and to me, it is a release and a way to evaluate my thoughts and channel them out of my head. A blog isn't something you do just because someone else is going to read it.

So, I am going to press on with this adventure. I am not going to give up for fear of failing and not getting subscribers. That isn't what's important. I am going to do this because it's something I have wanted to do for a year. If I fail, it's ok; and it's ok because I tried my best.

I will post again tomorrow (Saturday), because I can only get better if I practice.
I hope this post helps someone else out there who is struggling with affirmation issues.
Do something for you today no matter what other people are going to say.

Sincerely, Paige


*I got a few ideas for this from Zoella's blog post here.