10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Me

     If you're going to start a blog, you need to let your audience know at least a little bit of who you are as a person. For me, I find it hard to read books or blogs if I don't know a little bit about the author. I don't mean I want to know how many kids you have, where you grew up, and when you started writing like the typical "About the Author". I mean I want to know what your favorite flower is, what you're passionate about, and what your worst fear is. So, I found it only fitting that I tell you a little about the person I am right now.

1. For the record, my favorite flower is a sunflower. For a long time, I probably would have just said rose because it was the first flower I could think of. It was finally when I asked that question to myself that I got a real answer. They're beautiful, they stand tall, and they always look towards the sun. 
2. My favorite smell is cucumber. If you have never smelt anything cucumber scented, I highly recommend it, more specifically Bath and Body Works' CocoShea Cucumber scents (not sponsored but I wish it was). For being such an amazing smell, I'm really surprised it's not more popular. Cucumber is refreshing, relaxing, and it doesn't have a super strong smell.
3. I want to travel the world! I have made it my goal to step foot on each of the 7 continents at least once (yes, even Antarctica where I plan to give a penguin a hug). My bucket list is never ending and I take it quite seriously because I tend to get a little squirly when I'm in the same spot for too long. The reason why is...
4. My biggest fear is living a normal life. Grow up, graduate, get married, have kids, get old, die. I can't do it. As far as I know, I only get one chance at literally anything; living. It scares me to death to think one day I'm going to die and there will have been no meaning in my life. I want to be one of those people who their great, great, great, great grandkids are proud to have on their family tree. Someone who inspires other people and gets a chain reaction going. I don't need to be "famous", I just want to be important. 
5. Top travel destination: New Zealand. This may sound weird to people who prefer Paris or New York for trips, but from what I've seen, New Zealand has so much to offer. Bungee jumping, zorbing, riding on the worlds highest swing, ziplining (even though I've done that before), and amazing landscapes. Honestly, who wouldn't want to go?
6. I am a Leo. Don't be fooled, though, as I really tend to not believe in astrology, and my sign is probably why. The only traits I can relate to when it comes to Leos is I'm ambitious and I want to change the world. I'm not social, I hate conflict, parties stress me out, and I don't want to be the boss of everyone. Any thoughts?
7. I'm an ISFP. For any Myers Briggs fans out there, I am indeed an ISFP. For about 3 years I have been mistyped as an INFJ and getting the guts to go against what I always knew myself to be was very scary. Luckily with a lot of reassurance, I officially refer to myself as an ISFP.
8. I love photography! I started having an interest in taking aesthetically pleasing or "Tumblr" photos about 4 years ago. The main thing I have improved at is editing, so here is a little tip for any beginners - do not over edit your pictures! When I look back at my old work, I can barely focus on what is in the picture because I thought I had to use every editing tool in the app I was using. Hopefully, I have grown since then. 
    
   (One of my all time favorites)
9. I am struggling with anxiety and depression. I know, this isn't a very happy one, but it's one I need to share instead of pretending it doesn't exist. When it comes to anxiety, it got to the point where I would stop myself from doing things because I was so afraid of making a fool of myself. Even now when I've gotten better about it, I still don't like people watching me work on things because I'm not confident in what I've created or done yet. Depression tends to come hand-in-hand with anxiety. Luckily for me, it was never serious enough that I was thinking things I shouldn't. I did eventually go to a therapist after my mom watched me break down in tears on the laundry room floor. Even though I could only make myself go a couple of times, I'm so glad I did. Talking to a stranger wasn't really for me but they were able to give me a medication that has helped turn my life around. I was willing to go places, to do things, and to push myself like I didn't want to before. I guess I never really realized how bad a shape I was in until I got some help.
10. Lastly, I am a cat person. Even though I'm sitting here writing this with a three-legged toy poodle on my lap, I have always had an obsession with cats. I had cat themed birthday parties, cat clothes, cat posters, I loved seeing big cats at the zoo, stuffed cats, electronic cats... you name it I had it. That love has, of course, died down from an obsession but I am still a cat lover till the end. 
    
    
    
    (This is me on my 8th birthday in 2010)
    
    
    So hopefully this post has let you learn a little bit about who I am as a person. Everything I have done has led me up to this point and I don't think I regret a thing. Feel free to let me know if there is anything you would like to see from me or learn more about and I'll be happy to write!  -Emma