We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maricia Johns a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Maricia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
When I interview anyone whether it is lighthearted or serious I think it is meaningful. The interviews are a look into the person’s “why/how”. I interviewed an entrepreneur that won a 7-11 franchise, and I wanted to know why she entered the contest, what was her motivation to become a franchise owner. Why 7-11? This young lady was in her 20’s, and she entered at the last minute. I wanted to know what advice she would offer to the next generation. Another interview was with a young lady that started a nonprofit. The why was so personal for her. It was in the memory of her daughter. The how was how it started out as a one-woman project and has developed into a thriving nonprofit that helps school-age children with school supplies and much more. The memory of her daughter keeps her motivated. Her grief gives way to joy in helping others. Talking with someone about caring for a loved one with dementia was so meaningful. We discussed how the disease not only affects the patient, but how it affects the caregiver, and the caregivers well being. There are many others that I could go into. Even if it is a fun interview where we will laugh and joke, I hope the audience gets something out of it.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a small-town girl who remembers the lessons that were taught by my parents, family, neighbors, and teachers in Longview, Texas. I have always liked to read and write. It was something that allowed me to just be me. I can remember writing notes and sticking them inside of books, constantly writing in class, keeping a diary and so much more. I would even write in the school textbooks which would land me in trouble. My professional career was in education, business education to be exact. I taught business education, was a career and technology coordinator, a coordinator for the small learning communities, and a college instructor. Teaching was passed down through generations in my family. Even on Sundays, I was the Sunday School teacher. Business education changed every day–it was exciting. My first article to be published was for the Fort Worth Black News. It informed the parents about the state-mandated tests that were coming up. I went on to become their education columnist. One day I sent an article to my hometown paper, and it was printed. I wrote an article a month for about 2 years for them. The articles were about my life growing up in Longview. After that, I was published in several other publications including The USA Today. Publications were going in a different direction, and it seemed that I had aged out of my favorite ones. So the next best thing to reading about things that interested me was to research and write about them myself. I think what sets me apart from most lifestyle bloggers is I don’t fit a particular mold. I will discuss any and everything because that’s life. I am proud that my readers interact with me on the website and on social media. We’ve had opportunities to have outings. It’s been fun. My readers and I are inspired because we know “thisisy(ou)rbestyear”.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
As a former educator, I gave out grades. I was given grades when I was evaluated by the administration, and later by the students (college). It was always in writing what you had to accomplish in order to get a certain grade. Basically, it was in black and white. As a blogger, I had to learn there is no one size fits all mold. You are the master of your own universe. I had to learn that some days the creative forces are with you, and some days they are not to be found. Learning my style of writing, reporting, talking with my readers was just that–my style. I don’t try to emulate anyone. Learning to let my writing be my voice was a lesson that took me a while to learn.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
That’s an easy question to answer. Being a blogger is like having friends that you can talk with at any time of the day or night. They may not agree with you, but they will happily give their opinion. Getting to meet new people especially women who have different careers, outlooks on life and more is an amazing adventure. I started a Facebook Group Page where my readers and I just talk about what’s on our minds. Hearing so many voices, different opinions, and more keeps life interesting.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thisisyourbestyear.com
• Instagram: @thisisyourbestyear
• Facebook: @thisisyourbestyear
• Linkedin: @mariciajohns
• Youtube: @thisisyourbestyear
• Other: thisisyourbestyear Facebook Group