PIERCED: Stuck in In-Betweenland
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Going through the motions is the worst thing imaginable. Without motivation, there is no direction, no heart, and definitely no giving a flying you-know-what. This proverbial place is called in-betweenland. I'm stuck in the thick of it. As a journalist, the economy has weeded out some superfluous crafts—let's say feature writing isn't in that high of demand. So out of savings from the out-of-work and searching drought, I decided to be thankful for the $9.85/hour job I scored at the Home Depot. I'm extremely humbled, but, hey, I rather enjoy the depot. I get to work in the outside: water plants, help people find things, and maybe teach them something new (like did you know the difference between selective and non-selective insecticide?). Nonetheless, I'm stuck in in-betweenland, the waiting game. It's so difficult to be in that place. It's a deadend. Isn't there more to life than just going through the motions?
Well, I decided to re-invigorate my life and take a risk, not sure what is in store but I'm going for it. I'm taking the jump. I'm going to flight school to become a commercial pilot. I hardly have any money to my name (by the way, all money that we earn at SJ goes right into programming), and have to take out a student loan, but it's something I've always wanted to do. And who wouldn't? I'm going to FLY!!
This website is also a way to re-invigorate. I want to hear your stories of change, struggle, survival, and success. SheJumps, especially our website medium, is meant to inspire and motivate women to achieve dreams (with the help of the outdoors). Though life isn't always sunshine and roses, we are here to show you that there is a silver lining. Take a chance; take that jump. If you believe you can get out of in-betweenland, then you can.
I'm on my way out, and it's thanks to the support I have at SheJumps. I'm worth more than $9.85/hour, but I'm sure thankful for it, and the fact that while I'm in in-betweenland I get to hang out among plenty of plants and people. If you want to have your own column on SJ.org, then let me know. As long as it fulfills our mission/vision of inspiring women to take a jump and get outside, then let me hear it. Email me at vanessa@shejumps.org. Also, if you want to be my assistant editor, I'm looking.
—Vanessa Pierce, SheJumps Co-Founder and Web Editor
FEATURED JUMPER: Evan Berry
I NEVER WOULD HAVE had the pleasure of truly getting to know Evan if it hadn't been for her "jump" to live in Utah this winter and learn to ski. Even after a partially torn MCL halfway through the season, Evan bounced back with fervor and excitement to not let skiing get the best of her. She really gave it her all while she was in Salt Lake City, not exactly the locale of choice for someone accustomed to farming her own food. But the important thing is that she never gave up and eventually identified a whole new way to “jump” and enjoy the challenge. As our Natural Way blog director, Evan shares her knowledge to the SheJumps community regarding self-empowerment through self-healing.
Evan is from Carrboro, North Carolina, and always has a skill, tool, or idea for maintaining her self-sustainable and low-impact lifestyle wherever possible. She has a great time while doing it and loves sharing her knowledge with people. The first time we met, she taught me how to “glean” over-producing and under-harvested fruit trees in my neighborhood then gave me “compost-averted” fruit wine that she made. Before we knew it, we were dining on gourmet vegan (no dairy, no meat) cuisine that was fit for a queen.
Bob Dylan once said, “To live outside the law, you must be honest.” Evan is an outlaw of her own kind, and she strives to find a daily balance through making her life as self-sustainable and well rounded as possible. Before the age of 21, she already co-authored of a book about herbal remedies and obtained a degree in Chemistry and Organic farming from Evergreen State College. She also makes all of her own soaps, tinctures, beer, wine, salves, and essential oils. She is always having fun either playing mandolin, practicing yoga, knitting her own socks, or making yummy cashew cream. I would have to write a pretty big book to highlight all of this young woman’s accomplishments, but luckily for us it will unfold this summer through the Natural Way blog. Evan is always creating and seeking, two powerful attributes that have helped foster a life full of jumps. We are so happy she is a part of our community. —Claire Smallwood