Meet Cassandra Osterholt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Osterholt. 

Hi Cassandra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For the longest time after graduating high school, I wanted to find my purpose. I felt in my bones I was put on this Earth to do something more with my life than just work for someone else every day 9 am-5 pm. I tried a few things and they didn’t pan out. 

In 2018, I started experiencing severe anxiety and depression. I didn’t know what it was at the time, and it took me another 18 months to receive professional help. Those 18 months were the longest and loneliness months I had ever experienced. With a lot of reflecting and talking with my therapist, I realized I had always had anxiety but, after my some major life changes, it began controlling my life. 

In 2021, I decided to take the leap and become a shining star to other people. To not only be open and honest about my mental health but to also provide a listening ear and a friend to everyone. I wanted to share all my experiences, including my hobbies. 

I created Roost Eleven Eighteen to have a place where anyone is welcome and can come together to support, learn, and grow together. After dealing with anxiety and depression while feeling so alone after picking up and moving my life to another state—where I really didn’t know anyone besides my husband and his family and friends—I didn’t want anyone else to feel the way I did. Anxiety and depression can be so debilitating, especially when the people around you don’t have the slightest clue what is happening. 

I started figuring myself out, what I truly enjoy, and I wanted to share my successes and failures with people. I knew my audience wasn’t just my top Snapchat friends. I wanted to reach more people and that is where Roost Eleven Eighteen began. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think anything can be a “smooth road.” On the creative side, I think, for the most part, it has been a breeze. I do have days where I don’t feel as creative, but I try not to be too hard on myself those days. I try to stay positive and think about what I can do differently tomorrow to be better. Then some days, I just need a break. Working a regular job while running what I want to be a successful business and being a wife, friend, daughter, and sister can lead to very busy days. But the hardest part is building a following and showing what I can bring to the table: a different type of Instagram experience in Roost Eleven Eighteen. 

Life is about learning from yesterday and taking each day as it comes. I know that even if I only help or reach one person a day, I know I made a difference. Being able to share what I love has been so rewarding. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Roost Eleven Eighteen is a money-conscious blog and Instagram page where everyone is welcome, and we learn and grow together. We explore home DIY projects, crafts, cooking and baking, and lawn and garden activities. I openly talk about my struggles with anxiety and depression so anyone else going through it knows they are not alone and to help people better understand what anxiety is and how debilitating it can be. It’s a judgment-free zone, and we are all friends! 

Throughout my Instagram and blog posts, I share my struggles and my accomplishments and try to be as real and honest as possible. I think it’s easy to only highlight the positives on social media, but I want people to be able to learn from my mistakes and to know it’s okay to make mistakes. 

That’s why I also stress that Roost Eleven Eighteen is money-conscious. I don’t have an unlimited budget to do all my projects, and I know other people can relate to that. I strive to be open about money to show that you can do these projects and not break the bank. 

How do you define success?
My definition of success is where you can wake up every day and be 100% happy with every aspect of your life, love what you do, know that you are being the best version of yourself, learn from your mistakes, be confident in who you are, and be surrounded by people who bring you nothing but love and happiness. 

Contact Info:

• Website: Roosteleveneighteen.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/roosteleveneighteen
• Facebook: Facebook.com/roosteleveneighteen
• Other: Pinterest.com/roosteleveneighteen