In November of 2020, the year the world saw COVID-19 rip through every community, I made a decision that would mark the beginning of a new, better chapter in my life. It’s strange how terrible things make you appreciate your own blessings, if you will, or things that enrich your life. No Nonsense November was a one-month commitment I made to wearing a dress each day with the intent of leaving my comfort zone. As a shy person who has always hidden from the world, I felt it was time for me to become visible and stop apologizing for my thoughts, feelings, and views. 

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The idea for No Nonsense November originated from a lyric essay I wrote in the fall of 2020 after I decided to return to graduate school (mostly out of boredom). The essay drew a line throughout my life, connected by my experiences with dresses. I expanded this into a memoir essay that I hope to continue expanding into a full essay. Just as I felt a transformation as I wrote my story, I was also able to see a transformation in my photos. I could see my confidence begin to enter into my photos, I began to look more comfortable, and I was able to voice my thoughts unapologetically - all things that would have been nearly impossible before this experience.

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Because my essay was about becoming more visible, I felt it was appropriate to add the visual element to my story. I was able to compile the Digital Nonfiction project from the story I shared daily on my social media pages, which were a result of self-exploration surrounding the topic of dressing up. I have introduced an interactive element that allows the user to choose which day of No Nonsense November they would like to see. They can also choose to simply click through the days in order if they do not want to participate in the interactive element. I have introduced sound in my introduction. I feel it is important, considering the purpose of my project, for the viewer/listener to hear my voice so they can apply it to the stories they will read in my project. 

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My hope is that this activity can serve two purposes: 

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1. Entertain the user in a way that makes them laugh but also makes them think deeply about the challenges many women (and men) face from day to day.

2. Serve as an emotional health tool for people who have experienced trauma. Though I have left my story ambiguous in that I have not detailed my struggles but rather illustrated my healing, I feel this can apply to many experiences.

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Please enjoy the following video and interactive story, and remember to HAVE FUN!

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Sincerely,

Jessica Miller

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