The J.O.Y. Project

By Olivia Jarrell

Confidence isn’t something we’re born with, it’s something we build. It starts by being honest with ourselves: knowing our strengths, our values, and even our fears. When you understand who you are, you stop trying to fit into molds that don’t suit you. That self-awareness becomes a quiet, steady foundation. Real confidence doesn’t need to be loud; it just needs to be real.

One of the biggest obstacles to confidence is the inner critic, the voice that questions your worth or abilities. That voice might always be there, but it doesn’t have to lead. Confidence grows when you take action in spite of fear. Each time you speak up, take a risk, or try something new, you prove to yourself that you’re capable. Even when things don’t go perfectly, the fact that you showed up counts more than you think.

Building confidence also means surrounding yourself with the right people, those who support, challenge, and remind you of what you bring to the table. Prepare when you can, ask for help when you need it, and give yourself credit along the way. Confidence isn’t about perfection or pretending; it’s about showing up as yourself and trusting that’s enough.

The J.O.Y. Project: 

The mission of The J.O.Y. Project is to empower individuals by equipping them with a skill set of self confidence, perseverance and authenticity to navigate life’s academic and personal challenges. 

Through community-building, mentorship, and personal development tools, the project encourages young adults to embrace the journey of growth and rediscover the joy that comes from living true to who they are.

--------

Olivia Jarrell is the current Miss Greater Columbus (OH). You can find her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Committing to Confidence - a Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

 Things I am no longer apologizing for this year: 

1. My feelings

2. Having boundaries 

3. Saying no to something I am not interested in doing 

4. Not answering the phone when I can not or do not feel like it 

5. Taking a break 

6. Asking for clarity when I do not understand 

7. How others behave 

8. Changing and becoming better 

9. Putting myself first 

10. Not settling for less than what I deserve 

11. Letting go when I need to 

12. Healing at my own pace

It is time to put yourself first. You owe it to yourself. When you take time for yourself, things start to fall into place. Take back your life and this year. 

Just be yourself. Your natural beauty self (:

Here is another picture of no filter... just me and the sun.

-Katelyn Andrist 

Committing to Confidence - a Guest Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

This is a guest blog from Katelyn Andrist, embracing her SII: Commit to Confidence: Envisioning A More Confident You! I hope you enjoy it.

Here are 10 things I wish I knew growing up :

1. It is okay to be upset. No one can tell you how you feel. You are allowed to feel your emotions the way YOU want. 

2. It is okay to NOT always be good at everything you try in life. You will find your gifts, talents, and passions one day. Good things take time. 

3. It is okay to cry. Feel your emotions. Allow yourself to let go and just feel what is going on in your heart and mind. 

4. It is okay to want more for yourself. Do not stay in a little box. Allow yourself to grow, heal, and try new things. You can let go and step into a new chapter. 

5. It is okay to fight for yourself. You only have your voice at the end of the day. Sometimes you will have to fight for what is right for you. 

6. Do not let others determine your future. Only YOU can decide what you want and deserve.  

7. It is okay to think differently than others do. Minds of imagination and creation make this world a better place. Having multiple ideas allows us to create the best one. 

8. It is okay to make mistakes. Make BIG mistakes because this is the only way you will grow. You need to learn and create guidance for others.

9. It is okay to be YOURSELF. This world needs your voice, heart, and mind. You deserve to be yourself and to be loved for who you are. Do not beg for anyone to love you. 

10.  Love. Always choose love. Every human being is hurting inside, having pain, doubts, and insecurities. Be that person who loves them and brings love to their life. 

This is your friendly reminder to start each day with pure intentions with guided reflection, mindfulness, and self-care. You have a purpose to create the life you deserve no matter what age. Take back your peace and power.

Today is for you. Capture Today. Imagine Tomorrow.

I intend to live with an open and joyful heart... will you?

-Katelyn Andrist 

I want to thank Katelyn for sharing this post. 

Committing to Confidence - a Guest Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

This is a guest blog from Katelyn Andrist, embracing her SII: Commit to Confidence: Envisioning A More Confident You! I hope you enjoy it.

“To me, beauty is about being comfortable in your skin. It’s about knowing and accepting who you are. One day I had to sit down with myself and decide that I loved myself no matter what my body looked like and what other people thought about my body.”
-Gabourey Sidibe 

Loving yourself is the greatest revolution. Your weight does not define your worth. You are enough. You are absolutely beautiful. The problem is not with your body, the problem is what you think of it... and what you think of yourself. Stop being so hard on yourself, your mind and body. I am not here to show off my body but to show you I am comfortable in my skin

Body.
A four letter word we let determine our whole life.
On repeat in our minds “Am I skinny enough?” “Am I beautiful enough?” “Why does my body look like this?” “I hate the way I look.”

Remember, everybody is beautiful. Your body is beautiful! Your body doesn’t determine you or your life! Your body and you are not defined by numbers on the tag or scale! It's up to you to tell yourself and others that! You only have one body, love your body unconditionally! Fuel yourself with love and peace of peacefulness! Consume healthy thoughts and food! Exercise hate and negativity off of you. This all starts with you! Cut off toxic and negative people in your life! I promise once you do you will glow and shine brighter than the sun.

It’s okay if your body is changing, that's a normal part of life for a man or woman.
Your body is changing every day just like you (:

With 2022 it’s time to love our bodies wholeheartedly and be comfortable in our skin!! With my life changing, going off to college and dancing less I can see a change in my body but I still love my body. I understand your frustration and know where you are coming from! I am finding new ways to keep myself happy and healthy! I did and I can say I love my body and I feel beautiful in my own skin! You can do the same! The small things add up! I promise you when I say your body is beautiful and everything will be okay. Don’t be so hard on yourself or your body. love your body. you only have one. one mind. one heart. one soul. one body. You are loved and wanted."

- Katelyn Andrist 

I want to thank Katelyn for sharing this story. 

Committing to Confidence - a Guest Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

This is a guest blog from Katelyn Andrist, embracing her SII: Commit to Confidence: Envisioning A More Confident You! I hope you enjoy it.

25% of Americans admit to feeling lonely in the last month
66% say that having a close relationship with other people is always on their minds
In a room full of people we can still be lonely. Our minds are a beautiful creation with lightning and thunderstorms. We have to remember to grow, we must feel pain. We need to be struck by lightning to have realizations of ourselves, life and other things going on in our life. We need rain to grow and heal our hearts, minds, souls and more. Choose people who give you rain not thunderstorms. You have the power to give yourself growth or lightning. Please choose growth every time. I promise in time everything will get better and make sense.
Let yourself grow and bloom into the person God created you to be(:

You matter.
You are loved.
You can do anything you put your mind to.
You are you.
Special.
Important.

Don’t let your thunderstorms cloud your mind because you are beautiful. You have a purpose in this world.

- Katelyn Andrist 

I want to thank Katelyn for sharing this story. 

Committing to Confidence - a Guest Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

This is a guest blog from Katelyn Andrist, embracing her SII: Commit to Confidence: Envisioning A More Confident You! I hope you enjoy it.

Happiness. 

Remember..... you deserve happiness & love. No one can take that away from you. It’s okay to put yourself first. You need to be selfish when it comes to your health and future. 

April will be filled with opportunity.
April will be filled with positivity.
April will be filled with peace.
April will be filled with adventures.
April will be filled with kindness.
April will be filled with love. April is your month to make new, heal, and grow. 

It’s your lucky month(:

-xoxox, 

Kateln Andrist

I want to thank Katelyn for sharing this story. 

Committing to Confidence - a Guest Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

This is a guest blog from Katelyn Andrist, embracing her SII: Commit to Confidence: Envisioning A More Confident You! I hope you enjoy it.

“Let go of being perfect. Nothing in life is perfect, therefore you’re not supposed to be. Love your imperfections, I know it’s hard, it's taken me a long time to love them with myself. But I promise when you let go, that day you realize how much happier you are.” - Ashley Tisdale 

Let’s bring more love, happiness, real, honest, kindness, compassion, passions, self-love, hope, faith, prayer, God and SO much more!!!! It’s time to make the change for yourself. More self- love!!!! Loving yourself and others unconditionally!! Lead with love! Love makes the world go around!! Talk to yourself and others with love! It’s time to let go of the negative thoughts about yourself and others. Once you start loving you for you the world is yours endlessly.

BE MORE KIND TO YOU 

MORE BARE SKIN! NO MAKEUP 

BE THE REAL YOU 

BE MORE LOVING TO YOU 

TALK TO YOURSELF WITH LOVE 

MORE LOVE 

In 2022 I wish you more love with others and yourself! More hope and faith! Believing in yourself and God(: He has a purpose and journey for you! Remember everything happens for a reason and you made it this far!! Keep pushing yourself with your head up! Sooner or later things will fall into place. You matter! You are amazing! You are you. Don’t ever change for anyone! Know your worth.

Remember: Don’t compare yourself to others. Celebrate the little and big wins! Understanding yourself will take time. It’s okay. Enjoy the journey and what comes along with it (: 

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” -Jeremiah 17: 7-8 

Wishing you the best

xoxoxoxox

-Katelyn 

I want to thank Katelyn for sharing this story. 

Committing to Confidence - a Guest Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

This is a guest blog from Katelyn Andrist, embracing her SII: Commit to Confidence: Envisioning A More Confident You! I hope you enjoy it.

“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

Push yourself because no one else is going to do it for you. Push yourself to be the best version of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. This is a new week for you. Let go and stop thinking about last week. Think about now. You have the gift of now. Make your life a masterpiece; imagine NO limitations on what you can be, have, or do. Let no one discourage your ambitious attitude. You don’t need a fan club to achieve your goals. You need confidence in yourself. Be your own motivation. Have an amazing week(: I’m proud of you for coming this far! Keep pushing yourself! Brighter days are coming my love!"

With gratitude,
-Katelyn Andrist 

I want to thank Katelyn for sharing this story. 

Committing to Confidence - a Guest Blog Series by Katelyn Andrist

This is a guest blog from Katelyn Andrist, embracing her SII: Commit to Confidence: Envisioning A More Confident You! I hope you enjoy it.

Hi (“: it’s me again and I wanted to check up on you and let you know how proud I am of you Keep going and fighting in this beautiful crazy world. I promise things will go your way soon. Have faith and hope in God. I wanted to share with you all my lock screen saying:

“You are worthy of great love. You are worthy of the pursuit of happiness. You are worthy of being known to the endless depths of you.”

- Morgan Harper Nichols

I love this saying and it spoke to my soul. You are worthy. Say it again. Read it again. SCREAM it from the top of your lungs. It’s time we take back OUR LIVES!! Take back our mental, emotional and physical health. It’s time to talk about seasonal depression and anxiety. First off it’s okay to feel this way, you are not alone and this is not your fault. It’s time to start the conversation and be honest, pure and real. This is real life. People every day wake up with anxiety and depression and lay in their beds at night thinking they aren’t good enough. 

If this is you it’s okay, I promise it will get better. Keep pushing yourself and openly talk about it. In 2022 let’s start talking more about our thoughts, feelings and our insecurities. It’s OKAY!! These are the things that make us human and special because no story is the same. Everyone has their own story. It’s time we share our stories, our beautiful stories that make our souls us. The good and bad create our futures. Here’s to more beautifully designed journeys to find our souls. I hope you find something that lights a fire under your soul and sparks fireworks in your life. You deserve it. 

You are worthy. Beauty is in the way you hold yourself. It’s how you treat people and yourself. The way you love. It’s self acceptance. Beauty is in your soul running through your fingertips and toes(: Remember to have respect for yourself, your mind, your heart, your soul and your body. Respecting and loving yourself will go a long way."

-Katelyn Andrist, Miss Walnut Valley 

I want to thank Katelyn for sharing this story.