Finding your voice in your writing… That is what my class assignment is this week. After being away from school for 27 years and coming back, this is one thing I think I have found — or at least continue to build on.

Dolly Parton once said, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” I love this quote and think it is something everyone should start doing at a young age. I have tried to teach my own daughters this, and I hope it is one piece of advice they actually listened to.

To be honest, I learned this lesson pretty early in life. Back when I was graduating from high school, I was applying to different schools and scholarships. Part of the process required references. One of mine was a former Church Bishop who was also my French teacher and the boys’ track coach. I was on the girls’ track team, so I saw him often. One thing he said about me in his recommendation has always stuck in my mind. He wrote, “Tuesdee is very genuine — what you see is what you get.” I have always loved that description. I don’t know exactly why it meant so much to me at the time, but I carried it with me and patterned much of my life after it. I’ve tried to cultivate a life where I can be authentically me.

Some things I’ve learned about myself that make me unique: I grew up shadowing both of my parents, but I especially loved fixing things with my dad. To this day, I enjoy figuring out how things work — rewiring lights, flushing my brakes, or building something new. My poor husband knows that if we have furniture that comes in a box and needs to be assembled… that is definitely my job. I LOVE it.

I’ve also learned that I don’t really fit into any particular mold. I enjoy activities like running, yoga, lifting weights, biking — heck, I’ve even been in test groups for Peloton trying out new products and workouts. But I don’t consider myself a jock or a health nut.

Some days I enjoy dressing up and wearing the latest fashion or throwing on a pair of Lululemon leggings. Other days you might catch me in Wranglers and boots, out playing with my horse.

I love music, and I even own a harpsichord. My taste in music is very well-rounded. My husband laughs at my Spotify DJ because it is all over the place. One minute it might be Ella Langley, then AC/DC, followed by Andrea Bocelli.

I love crafting and have been knitting and crocheting since before “grandma hobbies” were considered cool. I also love reading and watching movies like Hallmark rom-coms. But I’m also the girl who bought season tickets to our local hockey team because I enjoy watching a good fight on the ice.

My point is, I have grown up loving that I am unique. I love that if I want to try something new, I’m not afraid to try it. I definitely have other insecurities, but imposter syndrome is not one of them.

If you are reading this blog, I hope you realize that YOU — being the best version of yourself — is always enough. Cultivate yourself into someone you are proud of. Never force yourself into a box. If that box starts to feel claustrophobic, set yourself free.