Hey everybody!
Those of you who know me, or who have been following our family since the days of lensless nerd glasses and neon skinny jeans, probably already know about my love for writing. I don’t mean the type of high school English class writing where you read a book and write a structured essay on something you hardly understand; I mean true, unfiltered journalism.
Up until now, my writing has been more of a diary, or a way to let all of my thoughts and feelings out in a healthy manner that would allow me to use my interests and abilities as a sort of therapy or release from the real world, but I’m ready to stop keeping it all in and let you see what really goes on inside my mind. I guess you could say this is my attempt at becoming more of an open book, or in this case an open blog series.
I’m leaking my own diary…The Not So Secret Life of an American Teenager
Ever since my eighth birthday, when my dad gave my a little black book to write down every one of my emotions, I have kept a black ballpoint pen and some sort of paper on me at all times. As the years have passed, I have begun to trade in my pens and paper for a keyboard to help with the accessibility of my thoughts, but have yet to let go of my favorite hobby, and instead have begun to make my journal entries a mobile log of my life. Obviously most parts of it are filled with mundane activities of school, work, and the little in-between moments, but those aren’t what I am here to share, and they most certainly aren’t what you are here to read about.
Rather than filling you in on what I had for lunch last week or how my AP History test went, I am writing this little message to you to inform you that life is far more than the personal highlight reels of social media and that it really is okay to not always be okay. I figured if I can be vulnerable to each and every one of you through the publication of my little diary, maybe one of you will find a way to be vulnerable with yourselves and make an adjustment that will change your life… and hey, if that doesn’t happen, at least someone will find some pleasure in knowing what really happens within the inextricable web of teenage hormones and emotions.
So I guess this is the beginning of me letting you all in on what really goes on behind the screens. So welcome to a new series here on Salty Lashes, The Not So Secret Life of an American Teenager.
Best,
Avery
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I love this! I’ll take any insight I can get into teenage girls minds!
I’m so intrigued and excited to follow along!!!
Can’t wait for more. You are incredible!
Avery you are such a talented writer and I’m excited to keep reading!
You’re a doll. When I was a teen (like a million years ago) I loved writing, the act of writing, the art of writing, putting all of the emotions down with every single pen stroke, being visually creative… I miss that. I lost it. Maybe your writing will get me back into that. I can’t wait to read more from you.
I’m excited for this, Avery. You’ve always led by example and I’m sure it will continue throughout your life. I miss our days in primary together, but it’s fun watching you and your sisters grow into beautiful young women.
Avery! This is amazing and I am impressed with your writing and your decision to share. Get it girl. Excited to read more.
Way to go, Avery! We are all excited to be here with you and support you!
I admire you!
Avery, you are so incredibly brave! Thank you for sharing and helping others on their journey.
Awesome. So interesting. You go for it.
Bravo avery! I have a seventeen year old who in the quickest blink (july) turns eighteen! I am excited to follow along ! Maybe i can learn something to make our journey less bumpy sometimes! 😉 Thanks for sharing with us. Something tells me it is only the beginning for you .. ! 🙂
So excited for this!!!
As a mom of a young adult woman, I am always looking for insight just like this. I look forward to this series and am impressed by your willingness to share. Bravo!
Avery, I am incredibly excited to read your work! I intend to share it with my daughter as well!
Thank you Avery for being brave enough to do this and share with the world. I met you once down at Mission Beach. You are beautiful and kind and now you are showing us your strength by being personal and truthful with much harder, important issues that will influence so many. I believe the more vulnerable, honest and REAL people can be, the better people, especially youth, will be. So thank you. Your writing will help others whether you know it or not. Plus I love to learn more about the teenager mind as my girl is almost 13 and serve with the LDS young women.
This is amazing! I can’t wait to follow along!
Love this Ave! Can’t wait to read more!
This is awesome Avery! My daughter (she’s 21) is a writer as well and has shared many of her writings with me!! I wish you the best of luck and look forward to your reading your thoughts.
Thank you for sharing Avery.
I’m excited to read your new series! Thanks for sharing your writing and your thoughts with us.
I love this so much! I can’t wait to read all that you share and I’m excited to get to know a different side of who you are!
So excited for this!
go Avery!!! excited for this series
So excited to follow along! Go Avery!!
Aw, I love this. I used to journal nonstop when I was younger and in my early 20s I threw them all away because I was so embarrassed, and I totally regret it now.
I’ve always loved the dynamics in your family and I pretty much idealize your Mom as a girl Mom myself now, so I’m looking forward to this!
You’re a good one Avery!!
Kudos to you for sharing this! What a great help this will be to many young women. Social media makes everybody else’s life look perfect, when in reality nobody’s is. You are a beautiful, talented, athletic, family oriented and God centered young lady. What an example you can be. Also love goes to your mom for realizing that you are old enough to make this decision. I’m sure that was one of the hardest decisions she has had to make to date. As a mom and grandma please understand we want nothing more than to protect our babies. And you will always be her baby. She set an example for you by coming here with just you and Poppy. You are now following her footsteps by going outside of your comfort zone. Looking forward to following along on this journey with you. Lots of love and prayer—you’ll do fabulously!♥️😘🙏
I love this! Way to go Avery, you’re amazing!
This is awesome! I have enjoyed salty lashes for years however never commented until now. Excited for more of this series!! Thank you Avery for sharing.
I love this… I have 2 daughters (almost 15 and 11) and it’s such a hard stage to navigate. I Would love to hear any Insight you have. I’m also going to share your entires with my girls!
Can’t wait to read more!