2.Personal.F*cking.Statement.
Like you, I’ve spent my life churning out countless versions of this “personal statement” for various applications, assignments, and assessments. None of them ever truly captured my style; I always wrote what I thought someone else wanted to hear or exaggerated to make myself sound more appealing. So here it is, the unfiltered, unpolished, and unapologetically ME version!
My name is Halston Alexandra Yerxa. My initials spell H.A.Y., which I’ve always thought was super awesome. I envisioned that maybe one day if I ever became a DJ, I could play around with that abbreviation for my stage name. Even though I would probably go by my government name, Halston, seeing as that is already pretty unique. The name of this blog, however, is a play on my first and last initial, H.Y. This idea came to me a while back when I considered making a clothing brand. I needed something short, catchy, and personal—The HY Life. According to Collins dictionary, “high life” is a noun that describes “an exciting and luxurious way of living that involves a great deal of entertainment, going to parties, and eating good food.” My version, “HY life,” is all of those things from the perspective of a college girl, sharing unsolicited information on the internet, just trying to figure out her life. In a sense, this blog is my diary. I couldn't care less if anyone reads this; well… I kind of care that my advertising teacher is reading this… Hey Willie! But whoever else comes across this, I hope you take away one thing: F*ck It! (The HY Life spin on Nike’s “Just Do It.”)
More about ME: I am from Scottsdale, AZ. Growing up, I always hated my hometown—everything about it—the heat! The people. The culture. The desert landscape. But most importantly, though, THE HEAT. I could not wait to leave Scottsdale and never return... Three years later, It’s funny to think that I ever felt so negatively about my hometown, seeing as I have become one of the BIGGEST Scottsdale enthusiasts. Ask any of my friends— any minor inconvenience or one too many beverages on a night out; I’m the one crying about how much I miss home and threatening to transfer to ASU (sorry guys). I also find myself missing the Arizona dry heat while living in Dallas, where the humidity only intensifies that ache. Oh, how the tables have turned. The very thing I hated the most has now become something I long for. However, a good lesson I have learned through my homesickness is not to take ANYTHING for granted. You might not realize it at the time, but the things you once resented could end up being the very things you miss the most. I try and live my life by being present, enjoying the moment, not giving a F*ck, and staying in my Grateful Era (more on that later).
To my friends: I would consider myself the group therapist. As a psychology major and a Pisces, though, that is kind of my job, and I’m not complaining. It also gives me a pretty valid excuse to share my unsolicited advice online. I might be delusional, but if I can assist my friends through breakups, drama, or even crafting a text (my specialty), maybe, just maybe, some internet bot will find my thoughts helpful. And to that, I say, F*ck Him!
To myself: I struggle with overthinking, jealousy, over-comparison, not feeling creative enough— or just not enough in general. I try to remind myself that these are very acceptable feelings, especially in today’s day and age. With social media, it is so easy to feel inferior. Going to a school like SMU, it is so easy to feel worthless. But it is vital to know that no amount of followers, money, or Cartier love bracelets can ever define your true value. That is found within, and I know I have a f*ckton of it.
To the reader: I hope you feel seen. I hope you know that you are the main character of your own life, so start acting like it. Once you realize that, you will unlock your true potential (I’m still working on that epiphany myself). Also, remember that you are your own biggest critic. No one judges as harshly as you judge yourself, so be kind. That feeling when you walk around campus and think everyone is staring at you and making fun of your outfit? Yeah. Been there. But reality check— no one cares. Everyone is too worried about themselves anyway, having that same exact thought. At the end of the day, all we truly have is ourselves. You have to take care of number one before anyone else. With all that being said, we are all here for the same reason: to live our best f*cking lives. So go out and f*cking do it!
10/6/24