Cosplaying and the cosplay community means so much too me. The past five and a half years have been so memorable and have helped me grow as a person. I know cosplaying has done this for many others in the community as well.

1. It's Halloween any day of the year (which actually does not make Halloween easier).

Gone are the days you have to wait for Halloween to dress up as your favorite character. Now, you can just look for the nearest convention or event and go! But I always have no idea what to wear when Halloween actually rolls around.

2. You get to represent the character you love and bring them to life.

Being a character I look up, value their ideas, or just love their design is something I would never imagine doing as a teenager and now in my young adult years.

3. The interactions you have with kids is memorable.

Some of my favorite memories is watching a child's eyes light up from seeing a character they love and seeing other cosplayers experience that same moment.

4. Even with needle pricks and hot glue burns, you know it will be worth it.

I may get frustrated at my sewing machine, but I know I will always be excited in the end to wear the final piece.

5. And if you can't make costumes or props, you can always buy them!

Never fear, the internet is here! There are so many sites and commissioners that you can buy your cosplays from.

6. It makes you think on your feet.

Cosplaying has made me pretty resourceful when completing a cosplay. Trying to figure out how to make do a quick fix on your cosplay (hot glue, always hot glue) at the convention. Or maybe you need to figure out how to make that awesome armor build.

7. When you go to conventions it feels like going to Disney World or Orlando Studios (for much cheaper too)!

There is always so much to see and do! You can meet guests from your favorite shows, attending interesting and entertaining panels, or even compete in the cosplay contest.

8. It has opened so many doors for myself and others.

Without cosplaying, I would have never been able to say I helped run a convention that brought smiles to 500 peoples faces. I also would have never joined Shout Out World Media or met the members of Akioboy. Some people I know even got into voice acting or modeling because of this hobby!

9. You meet so many people from around the world.

I have made so many friends I would never have met without this hobby. We all keep in touch and always make sure to meet up at the next convention.

10. And finding someone in the same fandom is like an instant friend.

Fandom meet-ups at conventions are just so amazing. You can see all the different versions of everyone's favorite character from the show!

11. And soon, those friendships become a family.

I can never forget the people I have met along this journey. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Cosplaying for me has introduced me to a world I never thought possible. I was a quiet, shy child growing up, thinking no one else was interested in the same hobbies I was. However, cosplaying led me to discover that, that is not the case. There are thousands of other nerds just like me.