On to the Next One

Purge, start over, repeat.

Bored but Hustlin' was a space that allowed me to heal. I'm not going to purge the blog, yet - but I'm in a different place and it's time for me to start over. I haven't sat down in front of my computer to fully express my thoughts in a blog post in almost 5 years. 

There's a lot to get to...

upurallie.blogspot.com

#MeToo

It's been awhile since I've wanted to write about anything. Lately, it’s hard to escape how much watching the news upsets me, but also makes me feel like I should be doing more. At this point, with so much happening it’s hard to know where to start. So, I want to start with sharing myself.

I’ve been waiting for the right time to share this story on my blog, mainly because I haven’t felt ready. I’ve written and rewritten, worried about the reaction I would get from others, if any. It’s never going to be the right time, I’ve finally realized. Now seems about as convenient as ever.

I have been sexually harassed and assaulted more times than I can recall. From the old men at the grocery store, on the bus, on the street who “brush” against my backside, seemingly in a hurry, but grip too firm to not be intentional. The ex-boyfriend who tried to set up a 3-some without my knowledge, being blindsided with another guy’s hands down my pants and no one believing me after the fact because of the other person’s sexual orientation. The old boss, who I stupidly thought was going to teach me about the music business, who forced himself on me in my car.

...these are the ones I remember most, but there was one that changed me forever.

In Spring of 2011, I was raped at a fraternity on the University of Utah campus. It wasn’t the first time I was taken advantage of in this house, nor was it the last. I was a 19 year old sorority girl, in my second year at the University, and had just been accepted into the Actor’s Training Program through the College of Fine Arts.

Others in my sorority eventually started talking about their similar experiences at the same fraternity, to which they were silenced by upperclassmen. “You don’t want to ruin our house's relationship with theirs, do you?”

On my 20th birthday, he tried again. This time and unbeknownst to him, he shoved me into an occupied room. He shoved me to the ground and forced himself on top of me. Literally, by the grace of The Universe, someone sprang out of the top bunk, pulled him off me and started yelling at him to not do this here. I bolted for the door, ran to my friends and left the house - not speaking about what had happened.

Why would I share my stories after hearing other girls be silenced? Why would I share them, when I’m still trying to process what happened in my head? People haven’t believed me in the past, why would I share this new experience now? The system was more powerful than I alone, and it fucking failed me.

For over a year, I pretended none of it happened. Out of sight, out of mind - right? I lost myself. I blamed myself. I drank too much. I lost friends because of my erratic behavior. I switched majors because I didn’t want to feel emotions. I failed classes because I couldn’t concentrate. I dropped my sorority because I was outcasted. I hated everything.

I blamed myself. 

In 2012, I finally met someone who I felt I could confide in and I’m almost positive it’s what scared them away. I sunk. I was low. I had no one. I was alone. I didn’t talk about it, and I lost myself even more. I blamed myself.

In 2013, I had a mental breakdown. I finally imploded because I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t full of pain anymore. My biggest fear, was that people wouldn't believe me, or they would laugh, or worse - they would undermine my experiences.

After some time, I finally gathered the courage to contact the Rape Recovery Center. Immediately, I was overwhelmed by their generosity and support. I started going to therapy every week, and I finally started to take ownership of the situation. Most importantly, I learned to not blame myself for the awful things that have happened to me. I started to hold myself accountable for how my emotions were affecting me.

It's 2017, and this is the first year I've been able to speak openly about these experiences. They still affect how I carry myself today. I don’t open to new people, because I don’t have a lot of trust left to give. BUT - I'd like to point out that I have had an amazing boyfriend for the past (almost) 3 years, who has been so patient, caring and helpful in my process. He is truly a spectacular man and I am so thankful for him. ♡

These experiences don't define me, but they did shape me into the person I am today. I hope to be someone compassionate and understanding, an ear to listen to if someone feels like they are alone. I assure you, you are not. 

Building Zero Problems

I'm working on a new project & I need your help.

Open 4 Discussion

One of my favorite parts about life are the beautiful connections we make with each other. One of my least favorite parts about life is an excessive need for validation, from other people, especially when I think outside the box. Whether it's 1-time advice from the old man sitting next to you at the bar, or a life-changing decision you're desperately seeking an answer for - being heard is important.

It took me a really long time to understand that I wasn't the only person who felt insecure when I didn't know the answer to something. This next project is something I'm really passionate about. My goal is to get people, from all walks of life, talking and asking questions in a safe space that is meant for nothing more but connection, ease and entertainment. 

I've never felt understood and I've always been selfish enough to think I was the only one. My life has always been a confusing contradiction of trying to make a million things work at once.

From growing up in Texas, as a competitive cheerleader, moving to Utah with a non-traditional Christian background to being sought after in high school as someone who could be saved with LDS Missionary lessons. Going to Acting/Film school in Salt Lake City while being bullied by Sorority sisters and drugged on multiple occasions in Fraternity houses, remaining as an empty shell. Spending time in therapy, failed relationships and friendships, to blogging about my problems afterwards. To finally getting the courage to leave and go to Acting school for a summer in LA. Back to working in the top Talent Agency in SLC & then making a move to San Francisco to pursue a career (my dream career @ my dream company) in Entertainment and Social Media, which eventually all crumbled in my lap. All of this, with an intense obsession for Gangster Rap, Ancient Aliens and my insanely diverse group of friends.

I may not be an expert in advice-giving, but I've seen some shit and I am extremely passionate about people and their stories. 

This platform is now open for discussion:

Let's chat. What's on your mind?

disclaimer: The end goal in this project is building a larger platform to discuss the questions being asked. Thanks for reading!

Writer's Block

I can't believe it's been this long since my last blog post. Life has changed, a lot. Probably more so than ever. It's been rough trying to put this all into words...

Fear is a really strange thing. It's most definitely my least favorite thing to talk about, so getting through it always takes time. But it is strange, isn't it? All of our reactions are so completely unique. Some are crippled by it, while others are immune to it. Why is that?

This time last year, I had just turned 24 and was already fully immersed in a dead-end job that I hated. I felt as though the city I was in didn't have much else to offer and mostly, I felt stuck. A lot could have been worse, but being in your 20s and feeling like your life is over is outrageous. Unbeknownst to myself, I had already made my bed and those around me were going to make sure I was going to lie in it. That they did.

I was living back in my parents house, with little direction as to where I was going next. As the Universe would have it, their on-the-market-for-3-years house finally sold and I had little time to make a decision. My brother opened his couch in San Francisco and it felt like I was on the next plane with no plans to come back.

I landed a dope job at a company I was crushing on before I even sent in my application, and a killer deal on a room in San Francisco - the MOST expensive and sought after city in the United States, all within a month - it felt meant to be.

As time went on, I learned how much I absolutely hated living in SF. I fell in love with my career and I fell out just as fast. By the end of Summer, I knew it was time to move on. So that's what I'm doing.

The worst part is that I feel like I'm being driven by fear. I'm conflicted, confused and have no sense of direction. Everything I thought I wanted or knew changed, almost overnight. Now, I don't know what my dream is and I feel forever jaded.

How do you find inspiration once you've lost it? Where do you go?



One word to describe where I am in life right now - lost.

When does fear become courage?

Have you ever had a shitty week? How about a whole shitty month? Obviously, it's nothing you can avoid if you're human. But, the important question to ask yourself is how do you plan to move forward? How do you continue when things in your life start to change so drastically?

I've always heard, "It's how you react to change that determines what kind of person you are." It's true, change is the only thing in life you can pretty much count on - besides death & taxes. It's never easy, but almost always necessary. You can choose to have negative feelings towards it and you'll almost surely die with your misery and heartache, or, you can choose to let it affect you and run with it. Eventually, you learn to live with it.

But how many of us can say that we've been given a clean slate?

I feel like I've had a clean slate before, when I was 15 and moved to Utah from Texas, or when I was 19 and made the decision to keep my distance from the city I once called home. Whether it's healthy to adopt that kind of attitude, I'm not too sure, but it works for me. The only difference is this time, I have a clean slate with no plan.

I will say, I'm lucky that I have such a dope family that catches me before I fall flat on my ass. I was unexpectedly given a clean slate, but I was lost in the chaos before I actually saw it as that.

I was 17 when I graduated high school, turned 18 in August of that year and moved out of my parents house, into my dorm, a week and a half later. Fast-forward 5 years later, brokenhearted after a bunch of tumultuous relationships and unfortunate circumstances, continually told the person I am, was not an appropriate personality for me to have; I had two semesters left of college and had just been hired full-time at a local talent agency. Adulthood was coming at me in full swing, my love of art was completely unfolding, and my burning desire to constantly create was and is stronger than ever. I decided school wasn't helping me get to where I wanted to be. So, I followed my heart.

I did my best and worked my ass off, but something was always missing. This past year, my depression had reached an overwhelming point - though, of course, you don't see it when you're living it. I honestly don't know what caused the initial spiral (there's a long list), I just know I fell deep and I fell fast.

I'm a worrier. The stay-up-all-night, make-yourself-physically-sick type of worrier. I've had anxiety since I can remember, which inevitably shuts my body down every few months and I suffer from physical illness. I wish I could explain it well enough but I remember one day when I was 3 or 4 years old, and for the first time I started to wonder about my future. Except it wasn't pleasant daydreams - it was panic. A fear of what was to come settled in my brain that day and has never left.

My question for you is: what would you do, RIGHT NOW, if you had a clean slate? Would you see the world? Would you pick up and leave or would find something new in the city you're in?

I'll let you know when I figure it out.

In the meantime, I hope 2016 brings you lots of love, happiness and satisfaction. Oh, and btw - you can have your clean slate whenever you decide to start living again.

PYS,
alliehustle

Btw - I have an interview for my dream job today. I've started creating, designing and producing my v own art projects and I couldn't be more content! You can see/buy them at www.alliehustle.com ! Send me good vibes!!! (:

High School in Utah as a new, non-Mormon kid.

This original article inspired me to write about my experience going to high school in Ogden, Utah. I encourage you to read it: here, as a back story for the thought behind my writing. Another thing I will add, this is a generalization of the mass majority in my personal experience. There are always exceptions.

I talk about my move from Colleyville, Texas to Ogden, Utah a lot, because I moved when I was 15. I moved at a pivotal point in my development, when I had grown up with my best friends in Texas since pre-school and Kindergarten. I started high school with them, only to leave after my Freshman year. It was rough.

I remember the culture shock vividly. I remember coming home from school and being on the phone with my mom, who traveled for business every week, bawling my eyes out, begging her to let me go home. Her harsh words of, "you ARE home" struck me to the core and took a long time for me to accept.

Being the new kid sucks. I hated it because I felt like it gave people a reason to talk about me behind my back. I always felt like an outsider and I really never understood why. Besides the fact my new classmates, for the majority, had all known each other since childhood, there was another element that made them not as easily accepting of new friends to their already-established "crew." 

When I finally started to meet people and make friends, usually their first question was always, "which ward are you in?" To which my reply was always, "which fucking what?" It didn't dawn on me until much later, that I was seen as "different" because of my and my family's religious views. 

My parents knew it was important to instill good morals and faith in my life. I was baptized Methodist when I was a baby. We went to church every major Christian holiday and a few Sundays here and there throughout the year. I went to children's Bible study, while my family continued through the adult service; while my Grandma was in the church choir, every single Sunday. I'm happy I had that structure when I was younger. I think it's important for any kid to have access to that information, so they can make their own informed decision on what they believe later in life.

I will say, by my junior and senior year, I had a solid group of friends that were not Mormon, but we all felt the same shame most religious people not-so-discreetly threw at us. "You're such a good person, why are you not Mormon?" was a statement I heard frequently and could never avoid. Almost as if some of my friends didn't understand that good natured people could be anything BUT Mormon. I even had friends who invited me to their family's home for dinner, only to surprise me with missionaries who wanted to stuff their beliefs down my throat. If I had to give it a name, it was religious bullying - on top of regular, mean-spirited, high school bullying, it was a lot to take in.

Last summer, I stumbled into a Facebook group/invite that was for my 5-year high school reunion. Was I invited personally? No. But when I started to lurk through the pages to find it was a "family" event and spouses and children were welcome, I literally wanted to vomit. It's not just one type of religious person in Utah that wants to settle down by age 22, but it's the culture of this state as a whole. Definitely influenced by one religion.

For the most part, my close friends in high school were not extremely religious. I try to keep in touch with my best girlfriends, but we've all diverged on such different paths that it's hard to keep a conversation flowing these days. I'll always have a soft spot for them, but I can't relate to their lives anymore. Had you asked me at age 17 if I thought all my friends would have children and either be married or "settled" by age 24, I would have laughed in your face. Now, I shudder in disbelief that it actually came true. Don't get me wrong, I have mad respect for the people I went to high school with who have started families and are insanely happy - but that's never been something I've wanted in my early to mid twenties.

I'm stoked on life. I have no responsibilities, except going to work, paying my bills and taking care of myself. I can get up, pack my shit to leave tomorrow and spend a month in Europe, if I wanted to. I can switch careers if I'm not loving what I do. I have an amazing relationship with my boyfriend, where our #1 commitment is to support each other and Netflix & chill every weekend. I can live my life the way I want. But the hardest part is when I see these people now, and they genuinely feel bad for me. I see it in their eyes. The stigma here is that because I'm 24, childless and not engaged, I'm miserable - and when that is a constant theme around you, maybe you start to believe it yourself.

I can only hope that the people I speak about in this blog post will one day realize their lack of education and ignorance. A lot of people in Utah are good-natured in their hearts, but the unawareness and nonacceptance of other types of people and happiness is damaging. I've dealt with the repercussions first-hand and I've taken one major life lesson from it - BEING DIFFERENT IS BEAUTIFUL.

SHIRT: OMIGHTY

(P)HUCK (Y)O (S)TANDARDS,

allie ♡

LOL, u fake.

Have you ever had to deal with a compulsive/pathological liar? Have you ever been friends with someone for years, had a gut instinct about it, but never paid attention? I have.

Let me tell you, crazy bitches are NOT worth it.

I think when I finally started to realize the inconsistencies in her actions was a few years into our friendship. When I broke my phone, she would claim, "oh don't worry - I have a guy for that." When I locked myself out of my car it was always, "oh yeah no problem - I have a guy for that." When the water pressure was low in my apartment complex, and I just needed to vent - it was always, "I have a guy you can call for that."

I will only skim the details, I will spare you by not delving into all the shady shit I ignored. I blame myself for being so open, trusting and naive about the situation, alas, you live and learn. Sometimes after its too late.

The worst kind of people in this world are ones who claim to be something they are not. Or people who use and abuse good qualities in other people. Whether they take your ideas, use them as their own to get ahead in life, or take advantage of you - when you start to realize that, it's time to walk away.

I've never been an extremely confident person, I may not put off that vibe but it took a long time before I actually started to believe I was confident. I always second-guessed myself, when it came to my interests, especially my fashion choices. When I started to gain confidence and realized that dressing differently than people around me is what made me happy, I started to go for it as much as I could.

"Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery" may be true, but it's also the lamest crock of shit I've ever heard. While it's awesome to be influenced and inspired by people, completely ripping them off is a cowardly move.

I guess my message to you all, is to learn to be comfortable in your own skin. We all have things about us we don't necessarily love, but if you learn to appreciate it all for what it is, you'll live a much happier life!

Be yourself, love yourself. Quit being versions of other people, there's only one you - that's something to make you feel special.

me being trash, but still being me.

PhuckYoStandards,

allie