Can't get much more vulnerable than writing a blog..

This is my first blog post ever. How in the hell did that happen? Honestly, I don't even know. If you had asked me 5 years ago, even ONE year ago, if this was something I'd be doing I'd say you're crazy.  Generally these days we all share things on Facebook, we all share images of our lives on Instagram or give our quick thoughts on Twitter... but this is a whole other level of sharing. I would always admire those people who could write well and share their lives in this entertaining fascinating way and could actually get people reading their stuff! How do they do it?! I wish I could do that. Naaah I never could. What do I even have to say? Annnnd here we are. Maybe no one will read this. Maybe my mom will be the only one, out of duty to support her daughter on whatever random thing she's doing today. Actually I don't even think I told her I was writing a blog. Surprise Karen! Regardless..Here I am, writing a blog, about stuff. 

These past 5 years I've really been working on "finding myself"...whatever that means. Sometimes I've lost myself. Sometimes I've done dummmmb shit. Sometimes I've made two great steps forward, only to take ten steps back. Sometimes I stayed exactly where I was, not moving any which way. And sometimes I've done things that actually made me happy (weird! Isn't that what we all should be doing?! Yet often we aren't! Why?!). 

But one thing I've realized is that the times when I'm the happiest, in all the different ways, is when I've been vulnerable. When I've opened myself up and overcome the fear of making an ass of myself, failing at something, trying something new, or showing someone I care about who I really am (that's a reaaaal toughie) it's been some of the happiest, most exciting and scariest times of my life. Apparently that's vulnerability for you. 

One of my favourite books (well from what I've read of it- I have a nasty habit of not finishing even the greatest of books, but I have every intention to!) is called Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. This book talks all about this ridiculousness called vulnerability, and how we are all so afraid to live it, yet when we do we live more fulfilling, happier lives. It talks about how if we can embrace vulnerability and imperfection, we can set ourselves free to live a fulfilled, happy, joyful life.

If you don't wanna read a whole book, I won't judge... Because clearly I haven't even finished it (I swear I will one day). But you should at least watch her Ted talk! It's only twenty minutes and it's twenty minutes well spent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o

So, here I am. A step to being vulnerable. A step to owning my story. A step toward everything I'm hungry for! 

I know some people may wonder... What is this blog about? Why am I writing a blog? Lots of people write blogs about travelling, or some cool exciting new thing they are doing, or maybe they write about their business or their area of expertise. Welllllll I don't really have any of that. I just have a lot of shit I've learned, a lot more shit I plan on learning, and maybe someone would like to hear about it. Maybe not. Either way I'll keep plugging along!  :) It'll lead to something eventually right? So that's what this blog is about. My next steps to finding (more) happiness, (more) health, and (more) self-love. 

Maybe this blog looks ridiculous, and maybe its poorly written, and maybe no one wants to read it! But at least it's me, trying to be vulnerable. How can you be more vulnerable? I hear it's a good thing to try and do :)

- Elyse

One day I'd like to have some sweet "sign off" at the end of my blogs. Today I'll just settle for my name