Happy Anniversary to Me

“

The end of my relationship catapulted Me into the beginning of a brand new life.”

A celebration of my reclaim-iversary + looking back on this past year.

Last year, on this very day, I launched a new website to commemorate reclaiming the date of July 4th. Prior to giving this date a new meaning, it was my anniversary with my ex-partner, so I needed something new.

Sometime in June 2019, I decided to leave my old blog behind and launch a brand new website. I built it from the ground up. The night before I launched, I remember spending the evening sitting at my kitchen table until three in the morning putting the final touches on my site. I was so nervous for the launch, but mostly I was nervous for the new beginning.

My first blog post on this website is titled “How Did I Get Here”, and it’s an account of the details of my breakup, why I’m choosing to reclaim July 4th, and how the end of my relationship catapulted me into the beginning of a brand new life. I was inspired to share other women’s stories of reclaiming dates in their lives, too, which is how The Anniversary Pact was born.

I started over, reinvented myself from the ground up, and I held on for dear life.

This was a rollercoaster I had never ridden before — I was single, and I was on my own.

And, man, what a ride.

I had some days, I won’t lie. Weeks, even. Moments when I’d look in the mirror and I’d wonder who I was or what I was doing with my life or what I even wanted at all. I’ve questioned everything. Everything. My purpose, my path, if I should add more hot pink to my wardrobe (the answer to this is yes), if that guy was worth thinking about before I went to bed (this answer to this is no), where I wanted to live, should I continue to rent, should I buy a house???

So many questions. So much confusion. But, at the same time, so much clarity.

But I need to start giving myself more credit.

This past year, I have finished a screenplay, written 50,000 words in my fiction novel, lived in Los Angeles for the fall and studied comedy and film, dated a ton, had my heart broken a little, laughed more than cried, went back to therapy, spent a lot of time alone, fostered a dog, navigated a pandemic, got into a car accident that changed my life, met and spent the weekend with one of my favorite comedians of all time, accepted a job as a columnist and video creator for a women's magazine, had a tweet go viral, saw the words “actor, writer, and comedian Kaitlyn McQuin” in articles everywhere, and was on the cover of a popular New Orleans magazine.

Life happened for me.

Life is still happening for me. It’s happening for you, too. And everything that’s happening in our lives is worth celebrating.

It’s been a year.

And there’s more to come.

And my website has been a reminder every single day of the progress I’ve made, even on the days when it feels as though I have nothing to show for it. Especially on the days when it feels as though I have nothing to show for it.

My website is where I go when I need to be reminded of my growth. I often call it the refrigerator door of my online accomplishments. It’s a place where happy things go. A place you see often where you’re reminded of what’s important, like being interviewed for Huffington Post or being on a radio show in Dublin. These things are cool. And I need to remember that I did that. And it’s okay to show it off.

But the real shit, that good good stuff that’s happening on the inside, I need to show that off, too.

Side note: Remember MTV’s Cribs when they open the refrigerator, and you’re in awe of how organized and together it looks? Like, damn, Missy Elliot! Alright!

That’s what I’m striving for.

When people see me, I want them to see the cool stuff I’ve done, of course. But when they get to know me, I want them to see all of the inner work that’s come with this new beginning too. Because there’s been a ton of it.

There’s plenty more to go, but so far, so good.

I’m eager to see what the next year of life brings. I hope on July 4, 2021, I can write another blog post and share a lot of good news. I know what I’d like to see happen this year, but, for now, I’ll keep that for myself. Because, if there’s one thing I’ve learned since last year, it’s to remain adaptable, flexible, and let the universe surprise you.

So, universe, do your thing.

In the meantime, I’ll be celebrating today — my own Independence Day — and then it’s back to work tomorrow.

One day at a time.

One foot in front of the other.

Because websites weren’t built in a day… and neither were careers.

And as for mine? Mine was built on a breakup… but that didn't happen overnight either.

But it was the best damn thing that could have ever happened to me.

And to that, we celebrate.