Brittany Kelley
I’ll be honest: writing a column (this) is my least favorite activity each month. I hate the idea of being personal. I like the journalism industry for all of the super cool opportunities I get, such as telling the stories of others and touching on important local matters, but I also really like it because it’s so separated from myself.
I’ve never been one to enjoy fun facts or two truths and a lie — I once sang Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” at my talent show, my middle initials are based off of a WWE wrestler, I’ve held a Madagascar hissing roach — or ice-breakers. I just prefer to keep others at a distance. So, when I was told three years ago that I’d have to do this monthly, I kind of panicked.
I’m a shy person. I keep to myself. I read my books. I do my own thing away from others.
Even separately from my natural characterization, it’s also kind of weird to share so much of yourself with an entire community. Additionally, I also wonder, ‘Who cares?’ Because, really, who does? You open the paper to read about local occurrences, not what your friendly neighborhood news editor’s current crisis is. Despite that thought, I, of course, still write my piece each month.
And now, I’ve found myself opening up more than I ever thought I would have. Personal topics, ones that I barely talk to my close friends and family about, have been broached in my column. Over the years, I’ve found something comforting about talking to a couple of thousand people that don’t really know me. It’s similar to writing in a journal, I think.
Because no one knows me, I’m able to share more. I assume it’s part of that weird phenomenon that makes you cry to some random girl in your high school class since they don’t know you and won’t have an opinion that matters to you. (That’s literally how I met my best friend, by the way.)
Even though it’s sometimes draining and hard to do, it’s overall almost been therapeutic. I’ve honestly felt like I have worked through some issues or feelings that I have experienced by writing these columns. I try to be thorough and because of that, I take more time to focus and ask myself questions that I would have avoided. So, thank you for listening because otherwise, I would still be struggling with some scenarios.
This being said, I still, sometimes, do choose to keep myself at a distance from you all. It’s usually when I’m going through something more difficult that I haven’t figured out how to put into words yet or if I shockingly find a topic to share that you might find interesting. (Should I do more wrestling columns? More book reviews? Let me know.)
Anyway, today I didn’t have the energy to do either, so here is my rambling column about writing columns.
Also, the lie was that I did not sing Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” Instead, I choreographed a dance to it and shook my booty in front of the entire fourth grade. Which is more embarrassing? I’m not sure. For the two truths: my dad was a massive Stone Cold Steve Austin fan and for whatever reason, my elementary school decided to bring giant cockroaches to us — fun. There — now, you know just a little bit more.
Kelley is the news editor of the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch. She can reached via email at [email protected].
