Category: Season 2

Stratejoy Essay Contest

posted 11th January 2012    Written by: Molly Mahar    CATEGORY: Katie, Molly, Stratejoy the Biz

So You Think You Can Write…

We’re very excited to announce a juicy opportunity for YOU not only to have your writing featured on the Stratejoy blog for the whole interwebs to see, but also to win some serious moola!  We’re talking $500, baby!

What would you do with $500? Decorate a room? Pay your rent? Donate it to charity? Take a class? Buy a smashing little black dress and flaunt it in a hot photo session? Here’s your chance to win some extra dough with a side of Stratejoy bragging rights…

Introducing: The 1st Annual Stratejoy Essay Contest!

We get to hear from 10-20 women each year on the Quarter Life Crisis blog (which we freakin’ love), but we want to hear from more of you. We see the heartfelt and loving comments you leave on the blog posts, the Facebook Wall and on Twitter. We know you have more to say, and we want to hear it!

If you’re spreading the word about this Contest, please use the hashtag #essaycontest and mention @stratejoy. Thank you darling!

Got questions? Let’s try to cover ‘em all.

**How do I enter the Stratejoy Essay Contest?**

We’re going to try and make this as simple as possible – we’ve even got your writer’s block covered.  The topic for the essay contest is:

“How do you live life on your own terms?”

Answer that question (in essay form) and send it in to katie (at) stratejoy (dot) com.

That’s it. You’re entered!  And yes, all entries need to address that question in some way, shape, or form.

**Is there a word limit?**

Try and keep your entry at 1,000 words or less.

**How do I know if you received my entry?**

Katie will shoot you a quick response letting you know she got your entry.

**I’m a Stratejoy affiliate / current QLC blogger / QLC blogger alumni /current client of Molly’s/ past client of Molly’s . Am I eligible to enter the essay contest?**

Yes. Yes. and Yes. This is open to any and all women of our tribe.

**What type of format should I send my entry in?**

Please send your essay contest entry in a Word Document. Please don’t send a PDF or any other non-editable format. We want to be sure we can copy and paste your text! Also, please use a readable font (like Times New Roman, Arial, etc.) While we love your creativity, sometimes hot pink/curliques/hidden picture essays are a little rough on our eyes.

**Can I include Pictures, Links, and Vidoes?**

Short answer?  No.  For this contest, we’re really looking for writing content — please concentrate all your love on the written words.  If you are chosen as a finalist, we’ll contact you for a short bio (where you can link it up baby!) as well as a picture for your post.

**Can I submit something that has been published somewhere else?**

Sorry gorgeous!  We are looking for original essays, created specifically for Stratejoy and for this contest.  If you’re not selected as a finalist, you’re welcome to publish your entry anywhere you like!  If you are a finalist, we ask that you allow the contest to reach it’s conclusion (when we announce the winner and hand over the cash!) before you republish your essay on your own site or blog.

**When is the deadline for entry?**

All eligible entries must be received by Wednesday, January 25th, 2011 at 11:30 PM PST. Any entries received after that will not be considered.

**How will the finalists/winner be chosen?**

After all of the entries are submitted by January 25th, 20 finalists will be chosen by the Stratejoy Team (Molly, Katie, and Nicole) based on a number of criteria — knocking our socks off, amazing stories, soul stirring truths, crystal clear writing, motivational mojo, and  adherence to all rules of submission.

Each of those finalists’ essays will be featured (one per day) through the month of February and we’ll be spreading the word far and wide.  We want to show off our talented Tribe!  At the end of February, we’ll open the public voting for one week and one week only. The grand-prize-money-maker $500 winner will be chosen by the intrawebs based on highest number of votes, not by our Team.

**How will the voting happen?**

On February 29th, we’ll post the link to the voting ballot for all of the essays. Then, you can have your friends, family, co-workers and everyone head on over and vote for you! Each person can only vote once! So spread the word! Of course, you’ll also get tons of love from the Stratejoy Tribe who will be casting their votes for the best essay. Also, voting will only be open for 3 days! After we tally the votes, BOOM, we’ll announce the big winner and everyone will throw streamers and sparkles all over. Sound good?

**If I’m a finalist, how do I get people to vote for my essay?**

Blog about it.  Tweet about it.  Shout it from the rooftops. We’ll give the specific details on HOW to vote once all of the finalists’ posts have been featured.  Feel free to start rallying your troops early. More Love = More Votes!

**When will the winner be announced and what will they win?**

The winner of the Essay Contest will be announced on or around March 2nd, 2012. (Or as soon as we tally those votes!) You’ll not only win some serious bragging rights and congrats from us via Social Media Land, but you’ll also be the sole recipient of the $500 Grand Prize!  And Molly will probably call you to squeal in excitement…

Any additional questions? Shoot Katie an e-mail and she’ll gladly answer them for you. (katie (at) stratejoy (dot) com).

Remember, the deadline for entry is January 25th (2 weeks!).

Molly Mahar is the founder of Stratejoy, a positive corner of the Internet that provides thousands of women the tools, strategies and camaraderie to lead authentically joyful lives. She is a full-time coach, facilitator and creator of the online Joy Equation Course , Joy Juice Prompts, and Create Your Magical Year Kit.  A dynamic speaker, Molly has lead workshops for lululemon, The US Army, Ladies who Launch, The Junior League, and CRAVE Business.  She helps women live life on their own terms, celebrate their worth, and change the world through individual fulfillment.  With enthusiasm! And action!  Molly adores any excuse to travel, belt 80′s tunes, drink red wine, and discuss the meaning of life. Oh, and she was just named to ProBlogger’s Top 20 Bloggers to Watch in 2012 and will be speaking at SXSW Interactive Conference this March. Wahoo!

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Introducing: Team Stratejoy

posted 28th November 2011    Written by: Katie    CATEGORY: Katie, Stratejoy the Biz

Team StratejoyThis post is long overdue, but it’s no less important now than it was a week ago when I wanted to post it. For those of you who don’t know, I’m Katie, and I’m the Communications *slash* Community Manager of Stratejoy. Although, I’m researching new cute titles like “Happiness Advocate” and things of the like.

Anyway, this is totally not about me, but I do have the wonderful privilege to introduce you to a special group of gorgeous girls who have been doing extreme behind-the-scene magic for Stratejoy. Not only are they working to make current products and designs more functional and fun, but they’re diving head first with Molly, creating new products too.

Something I’ve learned over the last year of working with Molly is that running a business isn’t easy. While Molly has done a spectacular job running the ship herself, sometimes you need someone to be your lookout while you take the wheel and steer. Or, in this case, five someones.

Those lovely faces up there are  Nicole, Michelle, Kahea, Morgan and Whitney. They are Team Stratejoy. They’ve been “officially” on the Team for a few months now, but we’ve all been busy little bees trying to get some super cool stuff ready to go for your guys.

You can learn tons more about these ladies right here.  

 

Sidenote: Today is the. last. day. to sign up for the Council: Holiday Edition. It’s officially LIVE right now,  but if you really quick signup, we’ll get you access to the Facebook group immediately and you can dive right on in and join us as we wave goodbye to 2011, and welcome 2012 with a new outlook and kick-ass attitude. This is it – This is your year, love. Let’s make sure of it. 

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Everything Has Changed

posted 23rd August 2011    Written by: Heather Rae    CATEGORY: Heather Rae, Season 2, Travel, Travel/Adventure, What I've Learned

Season Two bloggers back in the house. Heather Rae is catching us up on what has happened in her world over the last year. Hey, are you a Stratejoy Alum from Season 1-3? Wanna give the Tribe an update? We’d love to hear how you’re doing! E-mail katie (at) stratejoy (dot) com and we’ll hook you up with a guest post spot over the next week!

Heather Rae in AsiaIt seems ten years have passed since I last wrote for Stratejoy.  Yet, it was just last year.  Why?  Because ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING has changed.

Seriously.

Had I known then the journey ahead, I probably would have crouched in a corner, head in hands, screaming and rocking.  Sometimes it’s good we don’t know what’s in store.


When last we spoke, I had just moved to Seattle.  I was settling into life with my fiance in a new city, making new friends.  And then.  Well, I’ll be honest.  Then everything fell apart.

My seemingly perfect relationship ended a few months after moving.  I found myself without a job, my ego bruised, my bank account near empty.  I decided it was best to pack my car and drive home to Las Vegas.  I lived with my brother (and if you know anything about my brother and I, that was a feat in itself) and searched for a job — any job.  I was terrified.  I had visions of crying outside in the rain on my friends’ doorsteps, begging for food.

Of course, that never transpired.  My job search became a full-time endeavor.  I literally sat myself in the office eight hours a day, revising and submitting my resume.  It paid off.  I got a few offers.  Ultimately, I accepted a part-time teaching gig at a private high school and a part-time job with a local hospital.

Once my basic needs were under control, I started thinking again about what I really wanted.  I still wanted to write (remember that novel I was working on?).  But I also knew I needed to make a living.  Seeing as how I no longer had another person to consider, I decided to dream big.  If nothing could stop me, what would I do?  I would return to school.  I would join the Peace Corps.  I would travel.  I would write.  I would dance.  I would hike.  I would make art.

Okay.  So not that much changed.  I sort of already knew these things.  I figured, what the hell, why not try for everything?  I applied to the Peace Corps.  I applied to graduate school.  And I kept up with the other things I love so much — hiking, writing, dancing, etc.  Here’s one scenario I didn’t imagine: getting accepted to both places.

But that’s what happened.  I got my acceptance letter from the School Psychology program at UNLV, and then the acceptance from the Peace Corps arrived.  First, I jumped and giggled.  Second, I stressed.  Which should I choose?  I didn’t know.  So I’ll tell you what I did.  I accepted both.  Yes, I know that wasn’t very nice.  Because one would be expecting me, and I wouldn’t follow through.  But I just couldn’t choose.  Not then anyhow.

And before I knew it, an entirely different possibility opened up.  I was offered a full-time position at that school I worked at.  It was a good offer.  Plus, let’s be honest, a friend in Thailand had called me up and said I should visit over the summer.  If I accepted the job, I would be free to run off for a summer-vacay without feeling guilty.

I quit the job at the hospital, accepted the offer with the school and ran to Southeast Asia about as fast as I possibly could.  I had no plan and no idea what to expect.  I barely had time to throw the guidebook in my backpack.  I just went without thinking.  And let me tell you — it was the best thing I have ever done for myself.

My adventures took me through Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.  I got lost in jungles, marooned on deserted beaches, biked through ancient ruins and attacked by monkeys.  It was amazing.  Every.  Single.  Second.  Even the bad stuff was phenomenal.  Of course, I also fell head over heals for a close friend and got my heart broken.  But what’s a good Thailand story without a little heartbreak?

On top of everything, I gained a little clarity.  I signed up for grad school and said no to the Peace Corps.

Two months later, my return to the states was bittersweet.  Honestly, I wasn’t quite ready.  I could have carried on with my travels for months and months.  But I had a job to return to, and most importantly, I had classes to start.

And that brings me to today.  Today was my first day back at work.  I spent the day cleaning my biology lab (can you believe I’m a biology teacher?  I can’t.) and gushing over my trip.  Next Monday, I start classes to become a school psychologist — a career that will allow me a fair amount of enjoyment, decent pay and phenomenal hours.  That’s the kicker, really.  Because I want every summer off to chase my dreams and travel.  I want winter breaks to work on writing and spring breaks to attend yoga retreats.  And when it comes to paying the bills, I can think of nothing better than to help students succeed.  Yep, I think it’s going to be a win-win.

 

The path ahead is not going to be easy.  I’ve likely over-booked myself.  I’ve got full-time work and full-time school.  And it’s quite possible I’ll lose my mind.  But for right now, I’m exactly where I should be.  I’m wallowing in heartache, scared to teach science and getting butterflies (the good kind) about returning to school.  And I’m thankful for every moment.  You see, that’s the thing about life – it’s perfectly imperfect.

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A Mighty Manifesto Monday: I Am Enough

posted 20th June 2011    Written by: Katie    CATEGORY: Katie, Tips & Tools, What I've Learned

Happy Monday.

You might be thinking, “uh, where’s Molly Mahar?” and to that, I say “She’s in Greece. Having a fabulous time. Living boldly. Completely unplugged. Completely overjoyed with spending time with her family. And yes, I do need to call her by her first and last name because, honestly, how much cooler could your name get? Molly Mahar. ”

I digress.

You probably remember me, Katie. I was a Season II’er. I swooped in a few months ago to check in. I’m dropping in again because, well, I just love it here. Plus, since Molly is off being Greece-y, I didn’t want Mondays to be completely barren. We all need a little Monday inspiration sometimes.

Also, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a little somethin’ somethin’ with you guys that I’ve been working on for the last week or so. Non-stop. All day. All night.

The backstory: About 40 or so days ago, I joined a group of over 30 women led by our own Molly Mahar. “The Council”, as it was called, was a 40 day commitment to ourselves. A commitment to each other. A commitment to change something. Or a lot of somethings. We all got something different out of it. (I learned a crap-ton of stuff about myself, and I made two amazing friends, who are now big parts of my heart, and just ‘get me’).

One of the main focuses of the Council, (and of Molly’s post from last year), and the thing that was most difficult but beneficial to me, was learning how to love yourself in all of your perfectly imperfect glory. I learned how to accept my weaknesses and embrace them. I learned that my weaknesses don’t make me less of a person. I learned that I don’t have to change a damn thing about myself to be “more of a person”. I learned that I Am Enough. Just as I am. Right now.

This, my loves, is my declaration that I am enough. This is my “I Am Enough Manifesto”

I Am Enough

I’m intelligent, and can never learn too much. I’m witty and playfully sarcastic, and can never hear too many jokes. I wait for others to walk before I do, I hold the door open for people behind me, I have conversations with strangers.

I’m committed to my family, friends, clients, and colleagues. I’ll go to the ends of the earth for anyone who needs me.

I lose interest in jobs, projects, and people if I am not mentally stimulated. When I find a job, project, or person that I care about, I am 115% committed and won’t stop working, trying, and accomplishing…ever.

I’m a mover, a shaker, a true Libra, an ISFJ, and a sucker for the laugh of a child.

I need to feel needed, and if I don’t feel needed, I feel less than adequate. To gain the feeling of adequacy, I will often do things that I don’t want to do, in order to gain the respect and desire of others.

I’m still enough.

When I set my mind to something, I will do it. I’ll fall off the wagon, I’ll make a mistake or seven.  But I always get back on the horse, no matter how long I’m in the mud.

My story is one of true courage and will-to-survive. It is an inspiration to others, and I love when people tell me that they’re proud of what I’ve overcome.

Sometimes I reach for a pint of ice cream, a bottle of wine, a few peach pills, a box of chocolate to feel more at ease and to relieve stress. I cut corners when there is something else that I’d rather be doing. I watch a lot of TV. I leave important tasks up until the last minute because I work better under pressure. I make up excuses of why I didn’t exercise. I break promises, I’ve said one thing and have done another.  I’ve lied to myself. I’ve lied to others. I’ve hurt myself. I’ve hurt others.

And I am still enough.

I swallow my emotions more than I express them, but I have a true desire to be more open and honest with my feelings.  I can be inspired by a quotation, an episode of Sex and the City, or a conversation with my family or friends. When I am truly inspired, nothing can stop me. I am passionate about psychology, counseling, and helping others. I have a truly beautiful mind.

I believe in the power of love to conquer all. I want to feel the warmth of a true, honest, healthy relationship. I have faith in people that most people don’t have faith in, but can also lose my faith quickly in a friend who betrays, lies, or misleads me. I build emotional walls to keep people out, and I don’t let many people in. But when I do, they’re often inside for life.

I have not always liked myself. I’ve hated, punished, and spoke poorly of myself more than I’ve loved, rewarded, and commended myself.

Right now, just as I am today, I am enough. I’ll be enough tomorrow. I’ll always be enough. I always have been enough. I am the one that I’ve been waiting for. I’m everything I need, I’m worth it.

I am Katie. I am enough.

[photo credit: myself. (appropriately)]

 

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Life After Stratejoy – An Alumni Visit

posted 12th May 2011    Written by: Katie    CATEGORY: Katie, Season 2, Tips & Tools, What I've Learned

 

Is this thing on?

Hiiii.

As you may have guessed, no, I am not  Bri, who usually holds this spot on Thursday. (Who is fine, just so you know. Just moving, and unpacking, and growing a baby!)

I’m also not Amanda, Juliana,  Dee, Laura, or Katharine. Nope, not Molly.  Sorry to disappoint some of you, and I know you look forward to the awesome journies of the ladies this season. I mean, there’s no doubt about it, Season IV rocks, and I’m so proud of my little ladies.

Some of you may know me as Katie, the ever-so-proud-to-be Editor in Chief for Stratejoy.  Others who have been around for a while, I’m Season II Blogger, Katie. You may remember me as the Jersey girl who had a shopping addiction, and an unfortunate battle with depression and suicide. I spent 6 months blogging about it, but didn’t share nearly as much as I would have liked to out of fear and shame.

Something that I can now admit is that I have a hard time letting people down. Knowing that I had a post due every week for my Stratejoy internship kept me pushing through another day. I didn’t want to let Molly down. I didn’t want to let my fellow Season II bloggers down. I didn’t want to let the readers down. Stratejoy literally kept me alive.

After Season Two

When Season Two ended, it was incredibly bittersweet. I celebrated lasting 6 months through the ups and the downs, yet I didn’t want to stop being a part of Stratejoy. I asked Molly if there was anything that I could volunteer to do. She gave me perhaps the opportunity of a lifetime, a way to give back. She asked me to be the editor-in-cheif and big-sister to the following season of bloggers. I happily accepted, and have held the position since.

A year ago, I posted this post. It spoke of how I had hit a dead end. I wasn’t happy, and trying to substitute things for happiness was not working. I was angry, frustrated, confused, and jealous of all of the other people I knew who were living happy lives, with their perfect dreams, perfect significant others, perfect everything.

I made the choice to go to therapy. I felt so broken, and I just wanted to be fixed.

Over the next 6 months, I’d be diagnosed several times with everything from bi-polar disorder, to severe depression, to dysthymia. I’d be put on prescription anxiety medication that I would use in whatever amount it would take to numb the pain. I’d uncover and unlock years of feelings of resentment, pain, and not feeling good enough. I’d break down and cry alone. My best friend would walk out of my life without looking back, except for the occasional glance. I’d miss my ex-boyfriends like crazy, no matter how bad they were for me. I’d revisit the idea of ending it all, mostly because it was the only way I could imagine to earn the attention of those I vied for attention from.

I became addicted to making others happy. Instead of shopping, I turned to taking on new projects, getting new jobs, and sleeping 3 hours a night. I felt like a robot. The moment I’d start to feel something, I’d just shut down, and go to bed.

The Wake Up Call

It didn’t happen all-of-a-sudden. I cannot pinpoint an event or conversation that made me wake up and smell the beautiful that life has to offer me.  It took a hell of a lot of work.

It took learning that I am not a diagnosis. I get down in the dumps from time to time, but that doesn’t make me depressed. It makes me human.

It took realizing that even though things might not be ideal at the moment, my thoughts and actions can change any situation.

It took me letting go of the past in order to proceed with an open heart into the future.

It took courage, dedication, and belief in myself to slowly crawl out of the dark hole I had gotten into.

Everyday isn’t a battle anymore. I have days where I have to try a little harder, or be a little more gentler to myself. I’m happy more days than I’m not happy.

The Acheivements, AKA Right Now:

In closing, just a list of the things that I’ve accomplished over the last year. It’s always fun to look back on the posts from last year, see what I wanted, and realize that I got them. In no particular order:

Graduated high school. Started a savings account. Rid my life of friends and friendships that I had outgrown. Moved out of a house that I wasn’t happy in. Shared my entire story with the internet.  Enrolled in college. Moved into a beautiful townhome in Philadelphia that I love. Started eating healthy. Stopped making excused. Started taking a multi-vitamin. Stopped eating (red) meat. Started opening up more. Tried dating again. Got a new job. (or 3). Fell in love with myself and my abilities. Developed an endearing case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with being organized and on time.

It’s been a long year, but I’m so thankful to have made it through. I look forward to each and every day, knowing very well that I have the ability to do anything. I can’t even believe this is ME saying this stuff. But I can promise you that I mean it.

The biggest lesson that I took with me from Stratejoy is that you’re never alone. You might not relate to any of the stories that anyone else is telling here on Stratejoy, but there are readers, behind-the-sceners, people in general who care. No matter what you’re going through, how out-there you think your life and problems are, there is always someone who can relate, listen, and remind you of why you’re here. There are people out there who can remind you of your amazingness when stress is clouding your vision.

There are people out there who care. You just have to let yourself let them.

Oh, and back to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow. Promise.

 

 

Photo Credit: [Rachael Preeya Photography]

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