How To Make A Stratejoy Blogger

I have a confession: my QLC isn’t over.

I don’t know what I will be having for breakfast tomorrow, let alone what I want to do with my life. I just had a freak-out-phone-call to my mom on Sunday morning. I seriously considered taking up smoking on my lunch breaks. Guys, I’m still a mess!

But you know what? I’m fine with that. That’s kind of my thing.

Five months ago, I was definitely not “fine with that.” I cried on my way to work, I cried during work, I cried after work, and I bought stock in waterproof mascara.

Mainly, it was rooted in how frickin’ alone I felt. Everyone else was great! People are getting their dream jobs, getting married, and getting really good at Twitter! None of which applied to me.

Then I found this little smile-pocket of the internet. Sure, it has some remarkable programs (have I gushed about Fierce Love yet? Oh, just a million times? Okay, once more…), but the most influential aspect this site had to offer was a group of girls just like me. They were going through the same things, they were feeling the same things, and they were talking about these same things.

I wasn’t alone anymore.

(Cue Hallelujah choir)

When the stars aligned and I got that miraculous phone call from Molly congratulating me, I finally had something that was completely mine: Wednesdays. 500-1000 words of whatever I wanted to say. It was something of which to be proud, at a time when I needed that more than anything else.

My QLC is not over. But now, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Actually, the tunnel itself is proving to be a damn good time.

Before I sign off for good, I leave you with the feel-good recipe of the summer.

How to Make a Stratejoy Blogger:

Gather ingredients:

One Monday of Arielle, the life of the blog-party with a pen in one hand and a beer in the other. To choose the ripest Arielle, look for the one who is attempting the Single Ladies’ dance, and leaking talent all over the floor.

Two cups of Caiti, a renaissance woman whose kind and selfless nature led her to share an Ireland adventure with a tribe of eager readers. Her words will be your evening tea; her wit and intelligence will be your honey.

Melt in a stick of Rachel, a real life ingénue living in her own romantic comedy. It is set partially in a kitchen, partially in a new town, but mainly in the hearts of anyone who has read her Thursday posts. Do NOT be wary of the pungent aroma; this is the scent of passion in its purest form.

Pluck the freshest Camila from your garden and whisk in gently. She will remind you of how big the world is, and how much you have left to see. There is always a new story to tell, a new interest to uncover, and a new place to experience. You can never add too much of a Camila.

One Cassie will be hard to catch, but will add the spunk and ambition that is necessary to the final product. She is a force that cannot be contained, but simultaneously carries a pocketful of gratitude and appreciation for the people in her life. Plus, she draws pretty pictures.

A giant handful of Sarah, who exhibits the strength that only a mother can. She will inspire you in every way you didn’t know you needed, and give you hope for your own future. It is especially important to not skip this ingredient, because when you are finished, a Sarah will let you paint with pudding.

Frost with a Katie Pants flavored frosting. This is nothing but support, support, and more support. She will never make you feel badly for missing a post (thanks, Katie!), and will send your blogger group love notes (or, emails…whatever). This frosting is the sweetest kind you could ever taste, and it is calorie free!!

Top with a Molly Mahar cherry. A soul-reviving, fierce love guru who has the most genuine spirit this side of the Mississippi (and probably the other side, too). She will reignite the spark in your life, and remind you of the light that you already possess.

Mix in a little love from our Stratejoy tribe, bake in the California sunshine until golden brown, and serve strong and hot (adding whipped cream to taste).

Finally, garnish with a Jill. A corn-fed, small-town-turned-college-town-turned-big-city-turned-knee-deep-in-a-QLC chick filled with gratitude for this amazing experience. I’ve been so blessed to be able to share the last five months with a gaggle of the best women in the blogosphere. I’m humbled by the support of my Season 6ers, and cannot wait to see what you fabulous ladies cook up next!

With a keyboard full of tears, and probably a bunch of spelling errors because it’s hard to see the screen with wet eyes, here I go…starting…something….new….

**A Note From Katie: Jill, I hope you didn’t think you were going to get away from a message from me, Miss “hits self publish”. — You’re hilarious. I laughed out loud at your posts, sometimes DAYS later. Your ability to laugh WITH yourself and some situations goes to show that you’re trying to look on the bright side. Even if your life is laced with dirt and worms, you make sure they’re the gummy kind, and I love that.

I can hardly wait to see what you do next. Seriously, I’m on the edge of my seat as you continue to be your awesome, genuine, authentic self and kick ass in this thing called life. I’m only an email away if you ever need anything.

Let’s get together and tell filthy jokes.