I would like to take a few minutes out of my insanely busy and stressful life to talk to all of you about an issue near and dear to my heart.

Oops I’m sorry.  That previous paragraph is exactly the type of thing that is discouraged.  The workplace, and society at large, is no place for a strong, intelligent, independent woman with well-reasoned but impassioned opinions.  Speaking passionately is crazy and hormonal.

In all seriousness, though, I’ve seen some really happy days and in general my life is fabulous and I am happy, but I’ve had a really bad last 6 months with regards to big incidents that challenge who I am as a person and my goals and desires.  I’m sure these challenges are just the beginning as I continue to grow up and live in “the adult world.”  But I’ve largely been the same person for 8+ years now.  Over these years I’ve become a lot more of an optimist than a pessimist, but that’s just growing out of teenage despair, I think.  I am proud of who I am: my passion, my convictions, my opinions, my determination and my personality.  I hope that this is who I will always be.  I worked hard to cultivate my life and my personhood in such a way.  And the tests and challenges that I’ve faced seem only to have strengthened this version of myself, rather than wear me down and round me out and submit me.

I won’t apologize for my existence, world, so you’re just going to have to get on board.

This is an open letter to the Internet, but obviously it doesn’t apply to everyone.  If you take it personally, maybe you’re being too emotional, crazy, hormonal, and are complaining too much about something that doesn’t concern you and that you don’t deserve to have any say in anyway.

Have a fabulous day, everyone! 🙂