Erin Brooks

[erinsgobragh]

We did it Vulpix! An A in my last class! So proud of this crocheted work! #beyourownsuperhero #pokemon #vulpix #adultstudent #graduation (at Towson University) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxvdlz5Dpii/?igshid=1sflxxy758nxa

[erinsgobragh]

I was so stupidly proud. ⁣ ⁣ I would refuse to ask for help as a young adult. Nope, if I couldn’t do something on my own I would let myself fail. I would rather fail then admit I needed the support from someone I trusted. I think I developed this mindset from my father. He was legally blind, with a herniated disc, and type 1 Diabetes, and was stubborn as hell. He would refuse to ask for help unless it was absolutely necessary. In the last years of his life, he had become a hermit and hoarder. He refused to have people come in and clean his house. I even tried to have social services come in and help him clean his house out but because he was sound mentally nothing could be done without his consent. When it came to endangering his independence my father would crawl on his floors because he was in so much pain and couldn't see a path in his clutter than ask for assistance.⁣ ⁣ With this mindset growing up I found it hard to admit where I had a weakness. In doing so I was keeping myself from being able to learn from those who were more experienced and may have been able to teach me better and quicker ways of doing things. Asking for help isn’t a sign of lacking, it’s a sign of strength! The fact that you’re willing to admit you need support. This is the mindset that I now hold. Don’t get me wrong, I still pride myself on the things I am able to do on my own, but I do not sacrifice my goals if someone can help me reach them that much faster!⁣ ⁣ A Batwoman also learned this lesson. She didn’t realize that she had the potential to grow as a person and become a great hero. It wasn't until she got help from Batman that she saw how much more her life could be. After he saved her life Kate started to look into becoming a superhero herself! She started to use her military knowledge and training to become Batwoman!⁣ ⁣ Have you rejected help from others because of pride?⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #batwoman #batgirl #batman⁣ #batwomancosplay (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxsEoghDRhj/?igshid=v9s610m22728

[erinsgobragh]

She is all done! She goes in for a grade on Tuesday!⁣ ⁣ I am so proud of this Vulpix! ⁣ ⁣ #pokemon #vulpix #crochet #crafts #alolanvulpix (at Cockeysville, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxkntU0DcQS/?igshid=1gd9qd66eyues

[erinsgobragh]

It's happening so fast.⁣ ⁣ Next week is graduation and then hopefully a job will come through.⁣ ⁣ My life is about to change and yes it's scary but also so exciting.⁣ ⁣ I can't wait for this next chapter of my life to start. Doing me, but at the same time bettering my family!⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #momlife #collegegrad #newdirection #selflovejourney (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxfTkzpjckw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jklpvz8db2ms

[erinsgobragh]

There are so many things that are hard in life.⁣ ⁣ It can be so easy to just not try to conquer them.⁣ ⁣ But that's when you have to find something that will push you through even the hardest struggle.⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #transformers #bumblebee #mommylife #transformer (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxcv-_cjGFF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17q0ik812it75

[erinsgobragh]

I would always say the when I finally reached a certain goal, that’s when I would allow myself to be happy. ⁣ ⁣ Take finishing a paper or getting a job. I used to withhold thinking about all the good things that were happening in my life at the current moment. I didn’t feel like I was deserving of feeling them until I reached my final goals. The first time I was in college I had a really big thesis paper. I poured my heart and soul into this paper and felt that I couldn't allow myself to celebrate the events happening in my life till I got that grade. I mean my whole world depended on that grade right?!⁣ ⁣ ⁣ I was wrong. Yes, papers, tests, getting a job, and other goals we have are so important but not so much that we miss out on the joys happening in our lives right now! What's the point of not allowing myself to be happy with my kids, because I feel I don’t deserve it unless I get an awesome graphic design job? No, I will go out and enjoy my life and still work hard to reach my goals. How can the universe know you are worthy of what you want if you are grateful for what it’s already given to you?⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Spider-Woman also suffered from allowing herself to find happiness in her life. She was solely focused on being liked by the other Avengers who had yet to trust her when she joined. She would beat herself up because she was always left out of the group. Instead of thinking about what she actually had in her life that could make her happy. Jess finally came into her own and is now a proud member of the Avengers and able to enjoy the happiness in her current life instead of holding out.⁣ ⁣ Do you withhold joy from your life until you reach a certain goal?⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #spiderwoman #avengers #avengersendgame #spiderwomancosplay (at Cockeysville, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxaHKsyjyjf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hyb8xsyxub1u

[erinsgobragh]

There are so many times in my life where I have expressed gratitude for the people and things in my life.⁣ Far too few times do I tell myself I am grateful for myself and the hard work I have have done to get to where I am at now.⁣ ⁣ So on this Mother's Day here's me saying Erin I am so grateful for your strength, persistence, determination, and relentlessness. You are a beautiful and amazing soul!⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #mothersday #drstrange #avengersendgame #selflovejourney (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxX6VcpjnT0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=128uibpjzgkqi

[erinsgobragh]

Happy Mother’s Day! #gilmoregirls #hapoymothersday2019 #mothersday #mothersday2019 #happymothersday (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxXZ-3Yjx5M/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vcvrlwdj0wak

[erinsgobragh]

It's not about having the perfect abs, being super skinny, being ripped, having the perfect curves, or even being healthy. ⁣⁣⁣⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ It's about being the best version of YOU!⁣⁣⁣⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #pokemon #lugia #mommylife #bodypositive (at Cockeysville, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxP9ZzCDzWL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6w0qg2cqwyph

[erinsgobragh]

Geek, nerd, dork. You're different and you're not normal. That's what I always assumed about myself. ⁣ ⁣ I stood out. ⁣ ⁣ But there's a beauty in that!⁣ ⁣ There is only one me! ⁣ ⁣ There is only one you! ⁣ ⁣ No matter your differences you were put on this Earth to shine as yourself! ⁣ ⁣ Embrace the amazingness that is YOU!⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #spiderman #marvel #spiderwoman #avengersendgame (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxKs7q-jYv6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xt7cwef31003

[erinsgobragh]

It’s something I would avoid at all costs.⁣ ⁣ I hate proofreading my papers and writing. When I write I get flooded with ideas that I want to put on paper. But because of my Dyslexia, my thoughts don't always flow properly from my brain to my typing fingers. So rereading a paper I know is flawed even though I know the ideas are correct is hard. When I'm writing I have to hurry to get my thoughts from my mind to the page because I'm easily distracted, thank you ADD, and sometimes the distractions come across in my writing. ⁣ ⁣ When I younger and in school, I would always ask someone else to proofread my paper for me so I wouldn’t have to see all the mistakes I made. But being in school as an adult I am now learning to step up and properly proofread my own papers. I have an amazing professor I am learning from and she is guiding me. These papers are full of my good ideas, I shouldn’t be afraid to want to correct the grammar mistakes in them! I need to step out of my comfort zone to make sure my papers are the best that I can make them. Granted I still am horrible at grammar but that is when I call in my friends and use tools to help. I’m so proud to say that over the course of this semester my teacher has seen my writing greatly improve. She told me that she is so proud of how I am working past my disabilities. I am not letting fears that once would have kept me from getting a better grade in the past keep me from producing my best this time around!⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Night Elves often have to face that which scares them. They have to step into fear to ensure the survival of their race! Tyrande Whisperwind is one of the leaders of this beautiful culture. She is a strong warrior and high priestess of the Sisterhood of Elune. When she first became priestess she was full of doubt of her ability to lead her people. But she didn't let that discomfort stop her from doing what needed to be done! She kept a strong heart and embraced these new paths. Leading and guiding those in the way of the Night Elves.⁣ ⁣ Are you able to do what needs to be done even if it's out of your comfort zone?⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #worldofwarcraft #wow #tyrandewhisperwind #worldofwarcraftcosplay (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxIP5TJDRid/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=euvvqsyspn4t

[erinsgobragh]

"True strength comes from within, and so does beauty! Both physical strength and beauty can fade with time, but it is your inner qualities that persist and last throughout your life. It is great to be physically strong and look beautiful, but it is greater to be strong and beautiful inside." -Uknown #beyourownsuperhero #charmed #halliwellsisters #charmedones #charmedlife (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxAh5cVDkUG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=v6yot1qzrfh5

[erinsgobragh]

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still. Those who keep moving no matter what falls in their path will always find success. #beyourownsuperhero #dragonballz #chiball #dragonball #dragonballsuper (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw9-ZAFDcsw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qhsjlevv2ana

[erinsgobragh]

There are some mornings when the chronic pain just gets to me. ⁣ ⁣ I don't want to push past it.⁣ ⁣ I just want to curl up in a ball, cry, and wish it all away.⁣ ⁣ But those are the mornings when I have to remember why it's important to fight. Why it's important to keep fighting. ⁣ ⁣ My pain doesn't go away it's constant it lessons and intensifies on its own. I lived 12 years of my life letting the pain control how I live. ⁣ ⁣ I will allow it to control me no longer. ⁣ ⁣ I will always win over my pain.⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #nightelf #wow #worldofwarcraft #worldofwarcraftcosplay (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw4neCoD7Gp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kyl3douzl1f4

[erinsgobragh]

I was the oldest person in the room, besides my teacher.⁣ ⁣ I remember sitting down during my first day at class and seeing all these “adult” kids staring at me. There I am a 36 woman with 2 kids, in a class full of 18-21-year-olds. Ya the thought of, oh gosh bet these kids think I nuts, went through my head. But I pushed those words aside. Thoughts like those wouldn’t serve me here. I started to wonder if could I do this? I mean what if I sucked but then I had to remember that if I just do the best I could, there’s no way I could fail myself! ⁣ ⁣ The teacher started to go over the themes we would study this semester and what she expected out of us. She had 4 projects for us to do throughout the class dealing with themes seen in art. Body and Identity were our first two. We would have to come up with a project personal to our lives dealing with one or both of those themes. The medium was of our choosing. That’s when it clicked! I had the advantage here! I had so much life experience that I was able to draw from! This quickly became one of my favorite class. I was able to share what I had learned in my life through my art projects. It was a bonus I was able to discuss it with these young adults. I was able to show myself that my age had no factor in my ability to shine in school again! My success in school was solely dependent on my belief in myself! ⁣ ⁣ Pikachu is also a character of great self-belief. This little unevolved Pokemon has stood up to some of the most powerful creatures the universe has known. His unrelenting love for his trainer, Ash, allows him to face his enemies and fight in even the hardest circumstances!⁣ ⁣ What is one circumstance when you proved to yourself how much potential you have?⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #pokemon #pikachu #studentlife #animecosplay (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw2Kzfij2jA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kdwn38pls0h2

[erinsgobragh]

There are times in when you have to stop giving a shit about what other people think of you.⁣ ⁣ You have to listen to your heart and what you truly believe your path is despite all the naysayers.⁣ ⁣ You have to stand up and let your freak flag fly because it's those that dare to be different that cause change!⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #pokemon #pikachu #detectivepikachu #pokemoncosplay (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwxKjcujqTi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qez3msvl16oe

[erinsgobragh]

Each day is a new chance to do great things. They don't have to be big. Making someone smile can be life-changing.⁣ ⁣ So take today to be legendary!⁣ Thunder thunder thunder, Thundercats HOOOO!⁣ ⁣ #beyourownsuperhero #thundercats #cats #personalgoals #blackcatsofinstagram (at Baltimore County, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwr6UrcDmZ_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1swv7ebl3ndml