Hi, my name is Emily and I'm a slut.  *wipes brow* *drinks stale, AA coffee*

There, I said it.

I know, you're all surprised (you better be surprised). I look so innocent and none Slutty Mc'Slut in my picture, right? But the truth is, in the past, I've slutted it up. A lot. I was a big whore for other people's approval. I gave my love, loyalty and trust away like a $2 hooker (two dollar make ya holla).

Not, like in the sexy-times sense. Get your head out of the gutter, people. This, my friends, is what we call a metaphor. You see, for most of my life I've been a people-pleaser, a push-over, a passive member of my own destiny and it took me a long, long time to learn the power of walking away.

About a year and a half ago, I made the first big decision towards taking back my own life. I quit my job. I've mentioned this part before. And I'm not sure why I am writing this post now, accept for the fact that everyday I am realizing more and more how RIGHT this all feels. It's not easy. It's downright hard. Before, I had job security, a group of fantastic co-workers who were also my best friends, and I had money (well, as much a teacher makes, so you know, some). But the thing is, I was desperately unhappy and this job was just another example of how I'd spent the majority of my young and early adulthood trying to fit into a conventional-shaped box that just wasn't made for me. Normal job, nice things, boyfriends, friends, hobbies. None of them made me happy. Why?

Because I spent all of my time ho-ing myself out for them and not enough time being a BIG SLUT for me. I didn't value my own interests. I didn't give any credence to my dreams (for this reason, and this reason, and this reason, and more). And I certainly wasn't brave enough to stand up to all of the people in