In my element: the two weeks I pushed myself!

During my interview with URY (University Radio York). Photo credits to URY.

So if you've been following my social media, you'll probably know that over the last couple of weeks I ran to be York's next Community and Wellbeing Officer. I sadly didn't win, but honestly? I had such a fun two weeks and an overall fabulous time! I may not have won, but I definitely pushed myself out of my comfort zone and I'll always be proud of that.

I wanted to use this blog post as an opportunity to recall the fantastic things I managed to achieve during my campaign. Doing this sort of stuff is a joy of mine, and I genuinely love going out and about campaigning with a positive message. So, without further ado, what did I do in two weeks?

Day 1: Online canvassing begins
At 9am candidates were announced, although we couldn't officially campaign until midday. I started by sharing my positive vision and what I wanted to do!

Day 2: Interviews and chatting candidly
Instagram account decided to break (oof) so I had to make a new one. Later that evening, I then went to one of the campus bars for an official campaigning events - 'Candid Chats'! Honestly, I had a wonderful time meeting so many people and I really enjoyed it.

I also had my interview, which I don't think could have gone any better. I said everything I wanted to say with confidence, I had all my figures right (and cited!), and had an all-round lovely chat with my interviewer.

Day 4: Debate Night
I've always loved debating, but honestly? Because I really admire and get on well with the person I was up against - Hannah - this felt more live a civilised chat about the issues at hand, rather than a full-on debate. Again, I said everything I wanted to say, and I spoke passionately about the issues that matter to me & what I want resolved.

I also decided to treat myself that night with a trip to Timewarp, the on-campus club night. Had a fab time and even bumped into a couple of other candidates, who I'd later go on to canvass with in a few days' time!

A poster, about First Buses, on a bus shelter.

Day 5: Postering all over the place
Not the official start of the physical campaign period, but I made the brave journey to trek in the rain and wind to stick some posters up. Probably the low point of the campaign considering a car managed to completely soak me on the way back home :(​

A bite to eat in the library cafe with other candidates!

Day 6: Voting and physical campaigning begins!
First day of my favourite part! Managed to spend about 10 minutes in Market Square haggling with a bit of string and a zip tie to fix a cardboard sign onto a pole, before one of the two candidates I bumped into came along and helped.

I also did something I didn't think I'd do... I went up to people and spoke about the issues. I can't remember how many people I approached, even in the bar, and sat down with to talk about the things that matter. Highlight of this first day had to be the girl I spoke to who admired the fact I was out and about chatting to people in a friendly way.

Day 7: Out and about with my better half
I really enjoyed the second day because I spent a portion of it campaigning with my partner, Dan. He went round with me, holding my little cardboard sign, helping me put more signs and posters up and talking to more people. 

Today's highlight had to be when I sat down with two lads, again in the bar, and passionately spoke with them about student safety. It was really touching to know that these issues I spoke of, especially with regards to the safety of queer students on nights out, resonated with people I'd never spoken to before and I'm glad I pushed myself to speak openly and candidly about them.

In The Glasshouse bar canvassing with my partner

Day 9: The last push
Day 8 was pretty much analogous to Day 7, but Day 9 was my last push. I went to the newest college, Anne Lister, and spoke to a lot of students who had been sent to Hull instead of being given on-campus accommodation. I still can't believe this happened, and I did apologise for repeating what a lot of these folks had probably heard 10x before.

However, highlight of this day had to be the people who told me "you're the first person I've actually seen come here that's spoken to us, and not just put posters up. I really appreciate that". I likely won't have been the only person to go to that area and canvass, but it was really touching to know that me - going way out of my comfort zone and approaching people on my own - was appreciated.


So, in summary, I didn't win the election... but I achieved my goal: get out of my comfort zone and push myself. I've never campaigned in person on my own before, especially not in a campaign that's mainly about myself. It certainly was a lot more nerve wracking to do all of this compared to speaking at a demo of over 1,000 people in a crowd. Most importantly, though, I'm proud of everything I achieved. I'm proud of coming out of my shell more, I'm proud to have spoken about things that matter to me, and I'm proud that I did everything I wanted to do. 

The final results were 962-950, which I am also massively proud of. To have gone that far out of my comfort zone to then reach nearly exactly half of the student vote is a massive achievement in my eyes, and I'll always be proud of achieving that.