Scrolling through my Instagram last week, my entire timeline was flooded with pictures from two different marches: one with pro-life ideals and the other promoting women’s rights. Women, men, girls and boys posed holding signs that say “My choice is life” or “My body, my choice.” Sitting on my couch watching Netflix while examining these pictures made me feel pretty lazy compared to my active peers.

This time last year I was passionate. I went to the women’s rally in downtown Kansas City the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump with two of my friends. My passion was sparked by Trump’s disrespect towards women and his recorded conversation with Billy Bush. My built-up emotions over his election finally could not be contained. Washington Square Park was packed with thousands of people, and it felt empowering to stand alongside a crowd of pink hats. I felt like an activist in the lightest sense of the word.

I’ve always considered myself a feminist, but this year I’ve felt like a guilty feminist. Why didn’t I go to Lawrence for the Women’s March Jan. 20? It’s only a 45-minute drive from my house and I used my work as an excuse when I really could have made time for both. I felt the energy radiating from pictures and videos I saw of the event afterward. I wanted to do more than just retweet tweets from the march and like Instagram posts from my friends that attended. I realized I regretted not being part of that.

After writing an article on the Time’s Up movement, I was even more motivated to seek a way to be involved in conversation relating to increasing female issues at school. Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Brown-Howerton informed me about Women’s Awareness Club regarding their club discussions and agenda. Recently, the club watched and talked about Oprah Winfrey’s speech at the Golden Globes. I like how active Women’s Awareness is as well as their upcoming plans in April for all-school assemblies covering sexual assault.

I want a fresh start and I plan to take advantage of the new year by joining Women’s Awareness club at my school. I think this club will be a good way for me to get involved with something I feel passionate about. My advice for people wanting to get involved is to reach out to teachers and peers that have the same passions as you. I am not going to feel guilty anymore because I plan to be an active feminist.