photo credit: Robert S. Donovan
I want you to meet my new blogging buddy Caity! I found Caity through Jannie Funster’s blog. I immediately liked her. She’s young, she’s fresh and authentic!
Caity share’s her bad hair days, creative journaling, her new vegan recipes and much much more.
The day I found her was the day she shared her photos, her voice and music on her wedding day!
Not only does she sing Ave Maria at her own wedding, she sings a song to her new family, a song to her mother and a song to her father. Now how cool is that? Check it out! Scroll past (but enjoy) her photos and listen to her videos of her angelic voice.
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Who is that girl standing at the end of the hall? She looks so alone standing down there in that corner.
The rest of her classmates are standing by the cafeteria, but she stands there alone looking out a window into the sky. She picks up her overloaded backpack from the bench and tucks her blouse into her plaid skirt.
Slowly, she trudges down the hall toward the lunchroom, hoping that she can hide forever behind her wire-framed glasses and her insecurities, and perhaps become invisible for a moment while she walks past the peers who she feels have unaccepted her.
Each of her footsteps bring her one step closer to her destination, but worlds away from where she wishes to be. As she passes her peers, she buries her face in her binder and hurries her step.
She feels it is such a shame that the floor cannot open and engulf her at this very moment.
“Who is that girl,” whispers one girl to another as they stand in the hall. “Oh. Just Caity,” says the other as they proceeded to ignore the walking student.
That was alright, though, because she wanted to be ignored, right?
I am Caity. I never thought I would look back on myself as someone who had dramatically changed, but I do.
I now have an extremely different appearance and sense of style. Perhaps most importantly of the ways I have changed is that I have a completely different outlook on life, and for the better.
If any individual were to look at me now, they would probably not believe me if I told them how my appearance used to be. I am not saying that I am the epitome of perfection at the present time, but rather that I have come a long way.
My frizzy, untamed hair, large wire-frame glasses, and weight problems were never of any help to me. It was hard for me to transform myself into the person that I wanted to become because it took extreme dedication and persistence that I sometimes did not have.
My outlook on life changed drastically through college. At the start, I thought the world to be my enemy and myself to be the loner always being slighted and hurt.
It did not ever occur to me that there were people who just wanted to befriend me because they liked who I was.
I know now that the reason why I built a “wall” around myself is because I was even scared to be a friend to myself.
In the end, the one thing that I was lacking in life was the ability to love myself. When I finally accomplished this task, everything else that I had always dreamed of followed.
Who is that girl standing at the end of the hall? She looks very confident about who she has become. She picks up her lesson plans and her chalk, and adjusts her smile as she walks toward her classroom.
That is the new math teacher, Caity. She would probably love to talk to you.
I believe that life is all about change and that one of the most important accomplishments that a person can make in their life is to learn to accept and love themselves and others.
Unfortunately, there are so many people who have a hard time accepting and embracing this change.
In what ways have you changed for the better?
Did certain experiences help you to change you or did it come from within?
Short Bio:
Caity is a 25-year-old living in New York with her husband, Josh and her cat, Moko. She is a math teacher, amateur photographer, blogger, vegan, gamer, musician, self-proclaimed dork, and dreamer.
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{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Tess and Caity .. how lovely .. it was so nice to see the wedding photos – to hear you singing .. that was mesmerising and so honouring of your love for your husband’s family and your own parents and the whole family and friends.. lovely voice – it’s really great to listen to.
Enjoy your lives and thanks Tess for bringing a wonderful lady or maths teacher into our lives at the beginning of theirs together ..
Enjoy – all the best
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Nice to meet you Caity. I admire you for being so comfortable in your own skin at 25. It takes a lot of personal growth to be able to look back and love who we were then, as well as who we are now, and you’re obviously alright with both.
Tess, thanks for this lovely introduction. It’s always nice to meet more ‘real’ people on the Net. I almost feel like you’ve introduced us over coffee, the way you did it so casually yet effectively.
Hello, Caity!
Great to see you here and learn more about you! I’m a dreamer and a 25-year-old too (but I’m only a vegetarian with a dog…haha). Your blog looks great and I’m excited to check out more! 
If you’re interested in reading more about my 25-year-old life (which sounds different, yet similar to yours!) you can check me out on http://www.positivelypresent.com or on Twitter @positivepresent. Thanks for the into, Tess! It’s great to learn about new blogs!
Hi, Caity! I laughed when I read “self-proclaimed dork.” My cousin is a self-proclaimed dork, too, who even has a t-shirt with that word emblazoned across the chest! (And like you, she just got married.) What a beautiful post that I related to in many ways. I also spent many years suffering from the “not good enough” malady in my youth and then 20′s… and still have twinges from time to time. I do feel like I’m better than I’ve ever been, though, and truly it’s all come from within. As I’ve shifted my mindset from “not good enough” to “fan-freakin’ tastic just the way I am!” everything in and around me has become more beautiful. I’m easier on myself now, which brings ease to all parts of my life.
Tess – thanks for introducing us to Caity. It’s plain to see why you like her so much!
Hi Tess,
Thanks for introducing us to Caity! What a wonderful spirit for living life that she has!
Hi Caity,
It’s great to meet you! As I read this today, I think about life…and how it really is a journey each of us is on. Our years in adolescence are not necessarily easy ones. And they can scar us for a long time to come. So, it’s so good to hear that your outlook on life is now one of abundance and open-ness! Reading here today…I see you shine! And that’s your inner spirit coming out in such a welcoming and uplifting way!
I hope that as I’ve grown older, I’ve also come to connect more deeply with who I really am. That’s such a big thing for me, this idea of really connecting with my own soul. And through that connection, I believe that we can all become more compassionate for the world around us.
Caity, keep on being your dorky, dreamer self…if that’s “you”, that is so much the place for you to be…and your beauty shines because of that…I really feel that in your words here today!
Woooohooo Caity
What an absolutely lovely blog. ^^ There is nothing more beautiful than a person who can believe in his/herself, and it makes me so happy to hear of people who achieve that in their life. :]
I’ve definitely changed for the better from entering high school to leaving; when I first began my freshman year, I was very shy and quiet. And now, getting ready to enter my freshman year in college, I am bold, spontaneous, and confident. I wish I could claim that I made this transition on my own, but there is no way I could have done it without the friends I’ve made and my experiences in journalism — you have to get over shyness pretty quick if you want a good interview for an article, haha. But, yeah, I owe the people in my life the world, because they helped me to find me — the person I actually want to be.
Looking forward to reading both of your work
Nice to meet you, Caity! I’m intrigued enough that I’m going to check out your blog now.
This blog entry’s lovely, from both of you two and I really enjoyed reading it.
xx
Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left a comment. I know you will enjoy Caity’s blog as much as I do. It’s refreshing! Again I appreciate your kindness.
Thank you everyone for reading what I had to say. It is so refreshing that people are still so “real” out there on the internet. It’s great to meet some other people who have similar interests and goals.
Damita, Lauren, Kimm, and Amy – thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll all continue to read Tess’ blog along with mine. She’s great!
Hillary, thanks for going to read about my wedding. It really means a lot that you would take the time to go see my photos and listen to my singing. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Daphne, thank you so much for your comment. I do feel that I have changed for the better and it’s great to know that other people see that as such an accomplishment!
Megan, I will always consider myself a dork and be proud of it! It’s definitely who I am and I’m not afraid to show it! I’m glad that you are in such a good mindset, too! It’s definitely a good one to be in and a great way to live life! I’m so glad you could relate to what I was saying. I was hoping that people would.
Lance, I am so glad that you enjoyed what I have written! You are definitely right that adolescence can stay with us and scar us hindering our success. It’s so great to push past that and feel so optimistic. I hope that I continue to grow as you have more and more the older that I get. I’m really looking forward to it. Thanks for your beautiful comment!
Vered, I’m so glad that you enjoyed my post. I hope you enjoy my blog, as well.
Tess, thanks again for this amazing opportunity to be a guest blogger at The Bold Life. It was such a great experience and I’ve made a lot of friends in the process!
^ oops, I messed up my tags there. Hillary, you get to have a BOLD COMMENT! I guess that means you’re living a bold life? Hehe, I’m so witty.
But, again, thanks everyone for such a warm welcome and the wonderful comments.
Oh, and Positively Present, how did I skip over you? Because I skipped over to check your blog. Why walk when you can skip?
Caity,
This post is beautiful, and so are you. I am sorry for how you felt as a teen. -Loren
Hi Caity and Tess – It can be amazing how much we can really change in a short period of time. Changing is a part of self discovery and there will probably be a number of times in life that we feel we really change. And yet, there is something about us that is always the same too (a good part of us). Something that is dynamic and yet stable too. That is the Core of us.
Loren, thanks so much! My adolescence was definitely difficult but I think it really helped me to grow into who I am today. Thanks for coming to read my post.
Amanda, I definitely equate my change with self discovery and I’m always discovering that I’m changing more, for the better. I hope I continue this phase of self discovery over and over again throughout my life. Thanks!
Hi Caity,
Nice to meet you, I love your spirit. I enjoyed reading about you and you are very wise for your age
Tess, You know you ROCK!! And you do have great taste, your friend Caity is very cool.
Thanks for sharing.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Giovanna, thank you so much! That is such a lovely compliment!
Hi Tess
Hello Caity–so nice to meet you!
For me, life is definitely about change and growth. The desire to change has come both from circumstances beyond my control as well as from the inner me. Whatever prompts it, though, growth and change for the better are always good moves.
Karen
Hi Tess,
Isn’t it amazing how internet friendships are unaffected by age and frontiers!
Hi Caity,
I also had some awful times at school, but like you, I kept on singing and went into teaching so I could empower others. Decades later, I’m still evolving, but my essence stays the same. It’s lovely to hear your clear, confident voice!
Karen, thanks so much for your input. I’m glad to see that others view change as such an important and positive thing!
Janice, we seem to have so much in common! It is great to hear that you are still so happy with teaching and singing and have been doing it for so long. Thank you so much for the compliment on my singing! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Since school, when I was very quiet and shy I have become far more confident and my appearance has changed dramatically (for the better I think). School does that though, you start to work out who you are and how you fit in/how you want to fit it.
Alice, thanks for checking out my entry here! I am glad that you have become more confident and accepted your change. I definitely agree that school helps people to change and start to feel more comfortable in their own skin.
Tess — Thank you for introducing Caity! I loved what you wrote in your introduction.
Caity — I thought your progression from the student to the teacher mirrors your own growth from being uncertain about who you are to being confident and loving who you are.
I especially loved this line, “I believe that life is all about change and that one of the most important accomplishments that a person can make in their life is to learn to accept and love themselves and others.” That’s wisdom that people much older than you have yet to discover. WELCOME!
Hi Tess and Caity!
Oh this was so fresh and fun to read indeed!
I have to tell you my eyes perked up even more when I read “vegan” – always wonderful to meet another veggie lover, or should I say animal lover
Anyway how have I changed for the better, oh in so many ways. I too was quite shy and quiet as a youth and today have a voice and confidence that I had no idea perhaps that was inside of me…or did I. Sometimes I know it was just suppressed waiting to come out at the right time.
So what changed me? Both. Circumstances in life and me personally from going within. Bottom line I am happy with all the changes and just look forward to more on this never ending journey of change and growth
Caity!
What a totally wonderful surprise to see you here, yay!! Your story brought tears to my eyes of the “Just Caity.” There is no Just Caity to me there is only sweet wonderful GREAT Caity.
“the epitome of perfection at the present time. ” Your soul IS perfect. And you are too. You are one of the most honest bloggers I know.
I wish everybody here could hear you sing. I’ve described you to a friend as Sara McLaughlin in your modern sound but with an ever purer angelic quality that fits in so right.
Yay!
Thanks Tess!!!
xoxo
Thanks Tess for introducing us to Caity!
Caity, My personal mantra is “always be learning, always be growing,” so this really resonates! I think it is truly wonderful that you have learned to love yourself and befriend yourself. I love it that you connected the dots about not loving yourself, erecting a wall, and not being open to friendship even with yourself. What a learning experience! And you are only 25! I am glad you are now confident and happy with yourself. I wish you the best in your life! Your students are lucky to have you at the head of the class!
Ahh, Caity is great! Kudos to you for snatching her up.
I have been a fan of her blog for a while now. It amazes me how she always finds time to blog — and it’s never random “I did this and that today..,” it’s always fun, creative, & meaningful. She’s a cute gal with a wonderful outlook on life which I love! I am quite similar as her in many ways which is probably why I fell in love with your blog. It’s nice finding people out there who can relate to the same things as you, y’know. It helps that she’s so darn cute. 
Great website, btw! I am a first time reader and I will certainly be back.
Being able to feel good in your own skin is amazing. Its just takes about 10- 20 days a repetitive autosuggestion to yourself. Perform this every morning when you wake up and every night b4 bedtime. Repeat the affirmation ” I like Myself”. Its will work wonders for those who need to love themselves.
Hello Caity,
What a cool article, I so admire the way you write! The things you said about change were so right. Sadly, many people do not accept change easily or at all. I must admit there was a time when I did not like change either, in the end I suppose it is fear that makes one feel this way.
In what ways have I changed for the better? Hmm I’d like to think there have been many ways I have changed for the better but one that stands out in my mind is how I have learned to love life EVERY DAY and not just looking to the future and waiting for the happiness to arrive. It is here everyday. Took me a while to get that but thankfully I did.
Hi Caity. Nice to “meet” you! I just listened to you singing in that first video on your wedding post and Tess is absolutely right. You have an angelic voice. Thanks Tess for the introduction
Hi Thess and Caity! You’re definitely one of those that brings out the best in other people by just being yourselves
One change I’m thankful for is in believing in my abilities more, I guess tough times had their share in that. After being able to come out of them alive, one becomes more confident in dealing with life.
Sara, thanks so much for the comment. I am so glad that you liked my entry! I hope to keep finding more wisdom!!
Evita, it’s definitely nice to meet another vegan! I’m quite a new one, but it’s one of the most wonderful things I’ve done in my life and has made me very happy. Thanks for answering my question. I definitely think that events and movement from within are constantly changing us. I’m looking forward to that never ending journey, too!
Jannie, you are so sweet. I think you’re one of my biggest fans! Thank you so much for the compliments. You always make my smile stretch so far across my face that it hurts. I’m so glad that you like my voice. It’s a compliment coming from such a talented musician as yourself, as well!
Jodi, I definitely think that we are always learning and growing too! I am looking forward to experiencing this growth for the rest of my life! I’m glad that you liked my entry! Thank you!
Latrina, thanks for checking out Tess’ blog. Also, thanks for the lovely compliments! You are so sweet.
Jonathan, thank you! I had an English teacher in high school who told us to say “I celebrate myself and sing myself” in front of a mirror every morning and that one day we would believe it. I definitely did it and still do.
Keith, thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed my writing! I’m glad that you have changed for the better and learned to love life. That’s definitely a good outlook to have!
Davina, nice to meet you too! Thanks so much for the compliment on my voice! I’m so glad that you went to watch my videos!
Jocelyn, that is such a lovely compliment! Believing in yourself and your abilities is such a great thing to have in life! I’m so glad that you have that quality! Many people are still searching for it.
Hi Caity and Tess .. I don’t mind being bold on Tess’ The Bold Life site – sounds like a rather good plus to me .. thanks for commenting back .. the wedding was great to watch, and your singing is lovely .. so don’t give up .. it’s been great meeting you ..
Looking forward to more .. all the best
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
I recently started reading Caity’s blog and I simply adore her. She is such an uplifting individual and after reading your blog, so are you, Tess!
Great introduction from a great person about a great girl!
-M.
Caity,
That was a wonderful post. I can totally relate to being picked on and ignored in school. It is wonderful to see that you’ve overcome that and become bold and confident.
Lori
Good link, love her blog too! Thanks!
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