My Steemit account got confirmed last night, and envisioning how I'd introduce myself kept me from sleeping. Spoiler, still didn't figure out what to say, and I didn't sleep. Offline I'm dreadful at smalltalk and introductions, too, so I thought, why not just bite the bullet? This person who ruminated over a post on a site she found out about literally this week instead of sleeping, that's quintessential me.

I'm neurotic. I'm anxious. My mind is always racing. I love to write about things that matter to me. Everything that matters to me matters too much. I feel too much. I write about feelings. How am I doing?

I guess what I should say here is my name is Ashley. I'm a stenographer by day. I compete in triathlons. I'm a yoga teacher. I'm vegan.

But my passion for writing stems from engaging in conversations about the taboo topics that have forged my life: rape, abuse, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, PTSD -- and the lessons that can be learned from these struggles, and the healing journeys they effectuate.

Truthfully, I'm not confident there's a place for that here on Steemit. But if there is I plan to find it, and I thank you for reading my very first post!