How I did it: I first heard about NaNoWriMo in 2005, when I first became really interested in writing. I'd always scribbled bad poetry in journals and written vignettes in my free time, but was just getting into the idea of writing longer length pieces and novels. I didn't take part in NaNoWriMo for a few more years, but boy am I glad I did. I signed up on the site in 2007 and subsequently changed emails and usernames fast as I forgot passwords and ema… Read how I did it…
How I did it: My sister and I have always been best friends - even when we're throwing shoes/hairdryers/hangers/various blunt objects at each other. We fight like crazy, but most siblings do. We're three years apart. When we lived with both of our parents, the tension in the house was always high. Our parents fought, we fought, but at the end of the day we could always go to each other for hugs and kindness. When our parents divorced after 20-something… Read how I did it…
How I did it: it's a modest living, but... It started on Etsy. My friends and family had always pushed me to sell my arts and crafts goodies - I've always been pretty good at that sort of thing - and I never believed I could really do well enough to make money. Maybe I was just too lazy - but my boyfriend, Shane, finally supported me and gave me a kick in the butt to get started. It started with handpainted mugs, then moved onto graphic boards wit… Read how I did it…
How I did it: Diligence, creativity, and a whole lot of elbow grease. I had the idea to start an Etsy shop selling custom handpainted mugs and housewares. That snowballed into commissioned paintings, chore/calendar boards, and more mugs. I set myself a goal - I was just starting, but I thought I could make $500 in the first three months. I knew I should have been contributing more than that to our household expenditures, but I got much more traffi… Read how I did it…
How I did it: Seven drinks, (some really weak) a cute dress, his cute bowtie, taking advantage of the fact that he's so shy and being able to talk his ear off for a few hours at a party. I just finally... DID. I talked to him and we went on our first date the next day. We've been together since and we never fight, rarely have terse conversation, and we appreciate and love each other so much! Read how I did it…
How I did it: I stopped trying. I tried for too hard, too long, too describe and categorize myself. I made lists, collages, diaries, etc. Character plots. The ideas were endless. Then I got distracted with the rest of my life. I woke up at odd hours, consumed copious amounts of good tea, good food, and good humor. I made friends and lost them, I read books and cried and cried because of other things, too. I laughed, and smiled, and sometimes didn'… Read how I did it…
How I did it: I applied. It really is that simple. Even if you think that getting a job in general/in your chosen field is extremely difficult... CHASE IT. I got laid off two weeks ago. A week later, I got this job, just by applying everywhere I could think of that would hire me. And Disneyland did - I now work at the Happiest Place on Earty and couldn't be happier! :) Read how I did it…
How I did it: Got my lotus flower on my lower hip just after my 20th birthday, as a present from my dad. I've had a thing about lotus flowers since I can remember - they symbolize rebirth, renewal - things I've needed a lot in the last few years of my life. It's been difficult. And the work wasn't the best, but it was done by a friend, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have a few more lined up, and I'm really excited to get started! Read how I did it…
How I did it: It's kind of a funny story. Then it's not. TL:DR version? I almost settled. I almost let myself believe I wasn't worth it. Then I snapped. It starts three years ago. I was fresh out of high school and ready to take on the 'adult' world. I was eighteen, built like a woman, but sometimes as naive as a young girl. I had never done drugs, I had only drank twice in my life unlike many kids my age, and I had only had one real relationship … Read how I did it…
How I did it: All through High School I was a nerd - sort of. I had all guy friends, I made a total fool of myself for fun, and I stuck to my little group like glue. Towards Graduation this past June, I realized I was about to head out into the world with just a few gamer friends. I needed some new people - along with keeping the old ones close. I got out there. I talked a little, partied a lot, and introduced myself to so many people it's ridiculous. … Read how I did it…
How I did it: I let myself love. For the first time in a long time, I opened my heart to someone else and I brought him in. I was comfortable with him, I was always happy around him. I met him just a few days before we graduated. And we spent the entire summer, hanging out, going out to eat, seeing movies, playing mini golf and laser tag and a bunch of dorky other date things. He left for school in September. But every time he came back home, he came t… Read how I did it…
How I did it: Well, I'm 19. And most people don't expect me to sit around with my momma's scrapbooking materials, making birthday cards. But I do. Since I was little, I've always been creative. Always knew what looked best. Never really jumped into scrapbooking, it's ridiculously expensive, but always knew how to. My best friends birthday was in the beginning of december. And another close friend, as well. I made them both personalized birthday cards, … Read how I did it…
How I did it: I was raped in November. I didn't leave my house for nearly a week after that, only going out with friends who insisted on seeing me/talking to me once they'd found out. It made me lose a friend who thought I got into a bad situation, it made me lose confidence and it made me lose trust in everyone around me. Little by little, I got out. I forced myself to get out and have fun with my friends. I forced myself to be distracted and not thin… Read how I did it…
How I did it: I took two months being absolutely smitten witht his guy. He was funny, and cute, and when I went through something bad, he genuinely seemed to care. When things were rough, I asked him to hang out, just the two of us, that saturday at a friend's party. He said yes, but then had to cancel because he - and I know this is true - had to go out of town for a family thing. We never ended up actually hanging out, just us. In fact, I only saw hi… Read how I did it…
