A few months ago, one of our longtime readers and a fellow AdvoCare enthusiast, Erica Monroy, reached out to me. She told me her twelve-year-old daughter, Alaysia, had been enjoying reading our posts and was interested in writing one, if we’d like. I was so surprised and overjoyed to find out that someone so young could relate to our content. It made me start to wonder if other young girls were out there reading our posts, too.
After her first post, “Alaysia’s 5 Back-to-School Tips: Turning Anxiety into Hope,” got over 500 views on the day it went up, I knew we were on to something. Today, I’m pleased to announce that Alaysia Monroy is our very first Junior Behaviorist!
Read on to find out how she got into writing, why she’s passionate about helping her peers deal with anxiety, and why she wholeheartedly believes in girls supporting each other.
MB: If someone met you for the first time, what would you want them to know about you and why?
AM: When I meet someone new, I like them to know a lot about me. Nothing specific, nothing really too detailed. I’m just an open book, and I like to let people know me.
MB: In a lot of the posts you’ve written for us so far, you delve into bullying and the anxiety that can come from experiencing this. I love how passionate you are about these topics! Why do you believe it’s important for everyone to talk about these things?
AM: Honestly, it’s just in my heart to treat others respectfully and as equally as possible. I’ve been bullied for being smaller than others, and I’ve been bullied because I don’t fit into one group.. I do try my best to be different because I don’t want to fit into just one group. So I know how low it can feel sometimes.
MB: It takes a lot of guts to not only write, but to put your writing in front of an audience. What drew you to write for Model Behaviors and do you have any other future writing goals?
AM: When things got pretty dark for me, I began writing my feelings. I would write stories, poems, songs, letters, and I just found it to be a way to free me from everything that was going on. My mom actually encouraged me to write for Model Behaviors because she said I was beyond my years and it would be good for me. She thought I’d be able to reach out to others going through the same things or similar things as me.
Read Alaysia’s post: “4 Tips for Dealing with the Pressures of Social Media in Junior High“
MB: Yay, Mom! We’re so happy to have you as part of the MB family. What other hobbies are you involved in and how did you get into them?
AM: I have a few hobbies. My most unique is I collect a variety of writing pens. My favorite pen from my collection was given to me by my great-grandmother. It belonged to my great-grandfather. I also collect and ride skateboards. I enjoy playing soccer, and I’ve played since I was 4 years old. I actually enjoy playing or learning any and all sports.
MB: There’s nothing better than having a great writing pen on hand whenever you need it. So you’re volunteering for a half-marathon. That sounds like fun! How did you get involved in this? What sort of responsibilities will you have, and what are you looking forward to the most by participating?
AM: My mother is the biggest reason I’m volunteering because she will be running and racing in it, and my grandfather too (he’s 68). There are a variety of things I could be doing from passing out packets, providing water and snacks, picking up trash, and of course encouraging and cheering on my mom and grandfather, and the other runners too. I look forward to cheering on my mom and grandfather (it’s actually his first race because he’s more of a cyclist), but I also have a few friends that volunteered to help me out, so it will be fun to hang out with them too!
MB: Good luck to your mom and grandfather! I’m sure your cheers will help them push through! What advice do you have for people who suffer from anxiety or self-doubt?
AM: Don’t look so harshly on yourself. It only makes you feel as if everyone else is against you too.
Read Alaysia’s post: “Alaysia’s Open Letter to a Friend Who’s Struggling“
MB: That is such a great thing to keep in mind, and so easy to forget!
I just have one last question for you. Model Behaviors is all about women supporting other women. How do you think girls your age could practice this type of support as well?
AM: Because girls are so involved with social media these days, Model Behaviors creates a media area specifically for girls. It shows that we can encourage each other instead of trying to drag each other down. As long as we do this, we will be okay.
