HappyThankyouMoreplease

News of my deserting the internet has been greatly exaggerated.

-Jazzy

In fact, I have decided to embrace the whole gambit of the internet and its ability to connect us entirely. This is not without cost to my morals, which I have had to rewrite in light of my newest conquests. I was very against cataloging my life and having it on the web for all to see. However, as very wise many told me, publishing a book is not the hard part; marketing it is. Therefore, I have had to redirect myself and allow myself the possibility that social media and the internet are actually something that can be used for good. (You may remember that I deleted all my social media because I was worried about being stalked by a vindictive ex. However, it has been some time, and I have decided not to live in fear anymore to block this person.)

I have had a blast getting to know Instagram again and learning how to use the features. I felt I had been missing an old friend who welcomed me with arms wide. I connected with many of you there and even had Donna repost my selfie while drinking coffee. This is the reason social media was created. We are meant to connect; that is what humans have that differs from animals (not all animals. There are some social types like us). However, that is what has set us apart as the apex predator: we can communicate, connect, and work together.

Humanity is beautiful, and I had lost sight of that; I was living in fear, but it can pull you in repeatedly...if you let it.

This has made all the difference in my mindset. I was looking for confirmation bias that the world was scary and that people didn't care, and the truth is, many of us care so much. I have received more love and kind words regarding my writing here on the platform than in real life, so with a humble heart, I thank you.

I will release my ambition to the world again, so I apologize. I thought it was uncouth to be so young and ambitious. How dare I want to write books, have a podcast, and enjoy sharing my poetry. How dare I think I have something the world wants to see? The answer is, I don't know if the world wants to see it, but dammit, I am going to do it anyways.

(I recently connected with a friend from the past; she was so happy to hear I published my book and stated fondly, "I always remember you writing." This was a cathartic moment for me to say, Jazzy, you are a writer.)

You will be tired of me telling you what I want to accomplish and seeing that something I try to do may only sometimes happen. That is why I want to thank all of you for being with me on the journey. You have been there and given me the heart and validation I crave, but more so, I have been given the gift of knowing I have community. I am happy with what we can accomplish together: our stories, books, podcasts, and websites. I want to ask you for more. Please continue to listen and engage; if you have ideas, I want to hear them. I humbly offer to catch up on reading and commenting back and once again join the fray if Vocal will have me. (Of course, my health will still be a priority, so I may have to limit my time, but that is better than giving up, I digress.) If you have something you want to do and need help, I'm here in whatever way I can show up. And finally, once again, thank you.