Yesterday I posted the first episode of my new Youtube series, Life Talks with Mia.
First off, thank you so much for watching! I’ve always felt super passionate about these kinds of things and it’s really cool to me that you took 10 minutes (hopefully) out of your day to watch this. I’m thinking this will be one of the longer Life Talks, it won’t always be so long – there was just a lot to cover. So thank you again!
Now bear with me.
Second.
Contrary to popular opinion,
This was actually terrifying for me. Haha.
As every one else does, I have thoughts. Opinions.
But I have never been one to invest in conversations about things like this the way I know I should. I’ll say a PART of what I feel, but I know I don’t address the issue in a way that can make a difference.
Why, as humans, are we all so scared to share what we think?
I don’t know how you feel about it, but to me,
uh,
it’s terrifying.
It’s so easy for the other person to judge you. Think differently about you. Disagree. Attack you.
I was scared because I could be wrong. I could sound completely stupid.
But there’s no more of that.
I thought it was about time to speak up.
The truth is: YES,
Some people will judge you. Some people will think differently about you. Some people will disagree and will attack you.
Yes, I will be wrong sometimes. Yes, I will also sound like a complete idiot occasionally.
Or more than occasionally.
But why should that stop you?
By attempting to challenge the way you and others think, listening and considering the opinions of others, risking looking stupid,
you are doing more for yourself than you have ever done before.
You are learning.
So I’m in this super super cool class this semester called GHUM: Great Works. The topic of the class is actually “Writing the Self.” We have the most incredible readings.
I’ll be reading, and then I’ll turn to my roommate and be like OH MY GOSH YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS.
There were three essays we read within the first two weeks that changed my perspective on everything. This is basically what I got from them:
Be a daredevil.
Speak up.
Some people, and many more than you think, will genuiunely want to hear what you have to say.
By some small chance, hey, they might even agree.
By some small chance, they may not.
If they don’t agree, maybe they will change their mind.
If they don’t change their mind, at least they’ll have something think about it,
and you’ve done your job.
Then we received this first assignment, and I thought:
What a better time and way to start what I’ve been trying (but hesitating) to do for so long?
For the longest time I thought “living” or “being adventurous” was walking a new way across campus.
Well, more or less.
Getting in the car with your friends at midnight and driving around town. Trying a new restaurant. Or maybe just a new flavor latte at Starbucks.
That’s all great, really.
But truly living and truly being adventurous is being scared,
but taking that leap anyways.
SPEAK UP.
Don’t argue to be right. Argue to make others think.
Be respectful.
Be open to others.
Be honest.
But most importantly, be kind.
You and me both have the coolest super power in the world.
The power to speak up.
And our generation has got to learn to embrace it, not run from it.
This series is going to be completely uncensored.
No holding back.
I’m going to be totally vulnerable and completely honest.
So go easy on me, alright? 😉
Body Image is only the beginning.
I’m going to talk about things that hurt, that are awkward, that are wonderful, that are scary, that are alarming, that are inspiring. I will talk about the good, the bad, the ugly, things I hate, things I love, things that personally terrify me to talk about or say out loud.
I am telling you now that I have absolutely no intention – now, or in the future – of being offensive. Sometimes we have to dig deep to get to the good stuff.
I want this to be a discussion. I encourage and would LOVE if you left a comment and told me your opinion.
Well, not of me, of course.
But the topic.
How do you feel? What do you believe? What do you think? What have you learned? What have you experienced that relates?
I want you to exercise speaking your mind and not just having an opinion,
but OWNING your opinion.
I may look back at this video and my future Life Talks in 50 years. Or 5.
Most likely tomorrow.
And regret it all.
I may have a completely different view in 10 years, 1 year, or in 1 week.
We change, it’s natural.
But these are just my thoughts for now, and this is what I think.
I’m just here to shed some light on human experience.
And thennnn every other (other) week you can watch me have fun and be goofy and be the young adult that I am. Lolz.
The truth is, I’m a 19 year old girl who knows nothing. But I may have a little something to offer the world.
I can’t wait to go on this journey with you guys. I hope you decide to do the same.
Stay classy loves 🙂
Yours truly,
Mia.
YOURS TRULY, MIA. 