No More Thinkpieces On Millennials - A Thinkpiece on Millennials

"Millennials are killing restaurant chains."

"Millennials are killing home ownership."

"Millennials are killing the diamond industry."

Yeah, this is a legitimate list of things that the Baby Boomers and members of Generation X believe that my age group (Gen Y or Millennials) are killing. Real talk, I'm sick of reading this thinkpieces by the older generations on why they believe we are not advancing at the rate that they did.

I know this is a year late to the game, but guess what? I really don't care. Let's just do a backtrack on some differences between these generations shall we? How about the fact that the older generations are in nowhere near the amount of student loan debt that Millennials are in currently? Or the fact that the cost of living has drastically risen over thirty years but the average salary of a post-graduate hasn't? Or the fact that now the degree that most of our parents forced us to get is now next to useless in a majority of professions?

But right. Millennials are the ones who are at fault for that, even though we were not the ones who raised us. Our generation has, honestly, the best of both worlds. We were raised by these older generations who taught us independence, work ethic and introduced us to some music classics (Rolling Stones & the Beatles).

It is also this same generation that raised us that believes 95 percent of what they read on Facebook. It is also this same generation who caused the massive rise in the cost of living without matching it with the average earnings of a post-graduate. It is also that same generation that has the hardest time adapting to the ever changing world of technology.

Millennials are the ones who ended up teaching our parents how to function in this hyper-advanced world. Millennials live by the phrase "work smarter, not harder." Look at all the advancements in just basic day-to-day activities. There's things like Postmates, Uber, Netflix, etc. Our generation has found a way to acheive normal activities at a crazy fast rate.

So please, the next time a Baby Boomer or Gen X'er writes a thinkpiece about Millennials ruining -fill in the blank-, remember: they're writing it on the laptop/phone/tablet created by Millennials with an app/program created by Millennials at a start-up/publication now run by Millennials.

You're welcome for giving you the opportunity to freely bash the generation who gave you that option in the 21st century.

Mental Music Therapy & Health

Just a few months ago, I wrote that I was back after a year of silence. That comeback starts in 2019. This blog used to be a place for a rant of random opinions on some far-fetched ideas. Will it continue to be like this? I don't know. This blog will continue to be a stream of consciousness and basically a digital free-writing session each month.



The end of the year is meant for reflection, time to spend with family and friends and for the stereotypical new year resolutions.

Most people have the generic ones: get healthy, be more active, etc. Most are dealing with body image and a person's health, which I'm not knocking at all. This past year has also been a focus on mental health across the nation, many of these people being of the "millennial" age range
(which can we stop using this as a negative connotation? that's a new discussion meant for another post).

2019 will be a focus on mental health for me as well. However, it's not going to be through therapy, meditation, church or any third party. It's through writing (go figure, a journalist using writing) and music.

For those who are unaware, I used to DJ in college. I have a musical background, not with talent but with just my family. I'm very aware I can't sing; that still won't stop me from belting Ella Mai or Chris Brown in the car or the shower. I'm a music junkie, trying to find new artists and vibes on a regular basis. I even had a music blog for a while that I killed to focus on other areas of interest for me.

Lyrics and rhythm are a form of poetry that I truly love. In my mind, you can reach more people mentally and spiritually through music than any other platform. I have the stance on sports that I do on music:

Sports is the only thing that can unify the entire world for a short amount of time and forget about all the conflict and hardship. It's the only thing that can bring people from all races, genders, incomes, religions, ethnicities, ages, and neighborhoods to cheer someone on. What else can do that?

Well...music can. People of all backgrounds will shell out money to see a game and to see an artist perform. So, for me, how will I use music to better my mental health? No, it's not by listening to chanting monks or "yoga music" (yes, that's apparently a thing). 

I'm going to deconstruct music, studying the lyrics and why an artist decided to use a certain beat rhythm or instrumental. Obviously, this can't apply to all types of music, e.g. dubstep. For me, I'm a huge hip-hop/rap/r&b/blues/soul fan. With the trends happening in those genres, I've been vibing more so with that style lately.

I recommend this for people. To understand why you like a song outside of it just being catchy, you have to listen to what's being said. Those words can help you understand why you vibe with it. It could be related to something happening in your real life or a dream of yours. It's helped me thoroughly through the first few weeks of 2019. 

By listening to the words (and beats, because I'm that weird), I've realized that there are better ways for me to handle a certain situation or problem. It's been beyond therapeutic for me. I recommend it.

I'm still old school and haven't hopped on the Spotify train. I still own an iPod (go ahead and judge. I don't care). However, I continue to tweet constant music recommendations. If you'd like to know what's playing in my headphones, head here.

I'm Back

A full year went by without updating this blog. To be completely honest, I didn't mean for that to happen.

This past year from September of 2017 to now has been the biggest roller coaster I've faced thus far. I had a massive change of bosses at a job, got a new job, moved, made and lost friends, started and ended a relationship; it's just been a whirlwind.

I'm not going to dive into details for the privacy of some people. However, that year, I felt that I was at my lowest point in my career and in my own head. I wasn't seeing progress at my job. I felt trapped, so much so that it started to drastically affect my health. I was so stressed that I dropped a disgusting amount of weight, my hair started to thin out; I just looked sickly.

I wasn't able to be myself. I felt that I lost my own personality and my own sense of self. I was putting on such a front to just get through the work day and to get through the complete depression I was in for a full year. Karli was gone. There was some other spirit or soul taking over, and it just wasn't me.

In March of 2018, I thought that my career was over. I had a contract coming up, and I wasn't getting a single hit on jobs. I always told myself I will never be unemployed again after the month and a half after college of unemployment. I did not want to move back in with my parents. I was questioning whether or not I was cut out for this industry. I was in a full panic mode.

April was a new beginning. I started to get hits on jobs, and I landed one; right back home in Illinois. In June of 2018, I left the town of Hazard, Kentucky and moved back to the Midwest to Springfield, Illinois. In the three months I've been back in my second home of Central Illinois, I have never been happier.

I finally found myself again. I wasn't this angry, wretched, negative person anymore. I put weight back on, I was glowing, I was smiling constantly. Even my mom noticed how genuinely happy I was being out of the South. I was surrounded by my friends and family who I was seperated from by over 500 miles for two years.

I look back on this past year, and I said some nasty things to people who didn't deserve it. I apologize to those people. There are some things I regret doing in this past year, especially to some people. I am truly sorry if I did hurt you. I'm not making excuses, but that person a year ago was not Karli Bell.

This person now in October of 2018 is Karli. Do I regret moving to Kentucky? Absolutely not. I learned a lot about myself, about what I want in a job, what I want in a friend, what I want in a relationship and what I want to see happen in my future. I couldn't have learned that if I didn't go through those struggles.

Now, I'm in full control of my destiny and my future. I have my goals set (knowing me, it's obviously on a ridiculously detailed timeline). I have a list of what I want to acheive in this first year here in Springfield.

Karli Bell is back.

Let's Keep Breaking Glass Ceilings Ladies

This NFL season has brought a lot of things to light. I am not going to focus on the hatred that NFL players are getting for using their right to protest and express their opinions. Instead, I'm going to focus on the major glass ceiling that women in sports journalism broke this season thanks to Beth Mowins.

For the first time in 30 years, there is a woman play-by-play commentator for the NFL. To say I am one proud woman right now would be an understatement. To see women in such a male-dominated field that I thoroughly love to continue to break stereotypes is truly amazing. Beth Mowins is showing to little girls of this upcoming generation that truly anyone can call football games.

Unfortunately, there are people in this world that feel that women can't be just as knowledgeable or even more knowledgeable about sports, specifically football, than a man. "A woman can't call football. She's never played the sport."

Then say that to the many men in the field that haven't played a sport past the age of 14. There are PLENTY of men in this field, some of my colleagues and friends, who haven't played a sport since they were in middle school. However, because they're men, they won't get statements like Beth is getting or any female sports reporter for that fact.

But let's get away from the negatives. This is a massive ceiling that women in this field have broken through, finally. There's still a long way to go, but everything starts with baby steps. Look at CBS Sports having the first all-female run sports show, including producer and director. Doris Burke has become a massive name that people associate with the NBA. We're making strides.

Some day, I would love to see a female NFL play-by-play and color commentator. I would love to see the same in the NBA. The MLB made strides with Jessica Mendoza. I would love to see a bigger presence of women in the NHL. There's still so much more that we as women and as sports reporters that we can accomplish. For now, we must give Beth Mowins the much deserved thank you for making a massive step towards the future.

Let's keep breaking ceilings ladies, in all fields.

KarliBell33 & Peanut Tillman

On all of my platforms, my handle for everything for my personal brand is KarliBell33. Many people have asked me what the 33 stands for, and there's two reasons as to why I have 33 on the end of my handle: 1) @KarliBell is not available because someone who's never tweeted has that handle (rude) and (2) that number has been a part of my life since I was a kid.

I could just give you the short and sweet answer, but I'm going to explain it in depth. For those who know me know that I played sports at the competitive/organized level ever since I could walk until about my junior year of high school. Basketball was my main love, travelling all over of the region playing that sport.

The first team I was on that was considered competitve was my grade school team in 4th/5th grade. We were allowed to choose our own number. Because I had the ego I did, I chose No. 1. That ego is still here, but it's in check now. In 5th grade, someone ended up taking that number, because we were getting brand new jerseys. At this time, a certain cornerback by the name of Charles "Peanut" Tillman joined the Chicago Bears. He was my absolute favorite player next to Brian Urlacher on the Bears during this time, and he wore No. 33.

At the time, I chose the number solely based on the athletic ability of Peanut and didn't know much about him. As I grew older and became a bigger and bigger fan of the Bears and of football in general, I started reading about what he's done in the community and for his family.

I remember when news was circulating about how his daughter had to go through some pretty rough times with her health. When he was interviewed about this, I remember seeing someone that wasn't just an athlete; he was a very humble, kind, caring human being that was blesssed with athletic talent. He goes through the same struggles as everyone else, but what struck me the most was his humbleness.

Peanut has always been a great football player. His stats can prove that. However, the impact he's made on the communities he's lived in, especially Chicago, are innumberable. The impact that he's made on me personally as an adult is incredible.

Through his actions, he shows how to lead people and how to gain respect. He showed that egos shouldn't get inflated. Take everything you get as a blessing, because it can be taken from you as fast as it was given to you. He is truly an inspiring individual and just a phenomenal image of great character. Even after his career, he gives back to the community and is still horribly influential to people at all ages.

Now, with him being in the broadcast circle, I look up to him even more. He teaches me new things about the game every Sunday. He's so personable through the camera, and I try to copy my own camera presence off of his. He shows pure confidence and swagger on air, and it's a beautiful combination I wish I had.

I did meet him once when I was about 11 years old at the Chicago Bears convention. I have his autograph on my very first Bears hat that sits in the Bears Alley in the basement of my parents' house. I just remember him sitting there, signing autographs for what seemed like for him hours, but he still had a smile on his face and greeted every fan with enthusiasm and happiness. I would love to meet him again as an adult and, God willing, as a professional.

I know No. 34 is for Sweetness, but No. 33 is for Peanut. It always will be. Thank you Tillman for being such an influence in my life in ways I never expected. Thank you for continuing to spread your message to others through your charity and everything you do for the community. You may not punch out pigskins anymore, but you are punching a phenomenal message and mindset to not only myself but to everyone you meet.

The Jordan Year

Guys...I'm 23 now. This is actually insane. I would be lying if I said I think I'd make it this far. Absolutely not. Life is ever-changing. You never know what'll happen one day. People always like to focus on the negative now (Thanks, Trump). Instead, take a moment to reflect on how great of a year it's been for you, personally. That's what I plan on doing in this month's blog.

This past year has been a whirlwind for me. I graduated from college, got a job in my field, moved away from home, made some new friends, lost some old ones and made phenomenal memories. I still cannot comprehend that I'm a college graduate. If you would have asked me sophomore year of college if I would graduate, I would have said no. I was a screw-up, making horrible decisions and it all came back to bite me in the butt later in life. I learned from that.

I have job. I'm employed AND in the field I studied. That's still a dream for me. I'm making moves in the field of sports journalism and plan to keep doing so. Waking up everyday and being able to talk about sports for a living is still amazing. It's not a job. I'm just living and it's awesome.

I moved away from home. If you asked me in senior year if I would move down to Kentucky, I would have looked at you like you're nuts. Yet, here I am. To say this culture shock was necessary for me mentally is an understatement. It's always great to learn about different cultures and realize that not everyone is as blessed as you were is humbling. I'm not saying you need to move to a town of 6,000 people to do so, but for me, fate put me here. I just got to ride it.

I've made lifelong friends this past year. I met the squad in Nate, Tyler, Lou, AJ, Mulvin, Tim, Dave, Elisa and Kaila. I met Caleb, Josh, Marcus, Jarrett and other coworkers that have turned into friends. Friendships between Krista, Angela and I grew stronger. John Noble, Jordan and I still talk on a regular basis. I met Ray, Will, Kelz, Chris, Darrell, Bo, Brandon and others out in the field that I see regularly. I've travelled all over Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana this past year. I got to come back home for 12 days and loved every second of it. I caught up with old friends in Katie, Ashley, Jake, Mike and Isabel. I've networked with plenty of other sports guys in Lexington and Louisville.

I got to experience new things, like covering UK basketball, football and softball. I covered state tournaments for basketball and football. I finally got to see The Grateful Dead and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. I've met new people at bars back home and in Ohio.

All in all, it's been a phenomenal year for me. Like Jordan, I'm going to keep grinding to see where I'll be next year at this time. I may still be in Kentucky. I may in Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, Canada, England. Wherever fate takes me next. It's time to get back and focus on the next day.

It's 2017. Wake Up.

It's honestly quite frustrating to log into social media nowadays. Not only is it filled with people giving their unsolicited political opinions on what they think Trump is doing wrong or right, but it's filled with a 1920s mindset. I'm sick of it. I witness it daily not only online but in daily life. I'm done.

IT. IS. 2017. WAKE. UP.

It has been almost 100 years since women were allowed to vote. It's been 53 years since the Civil Rights Act was passed. HOWEVER, I still witness sexism and racism every single day. The only thing that is different is our reproductive organs and our skin color. But every day, I see a minority discriminated.

An idea can come from a woman, but unless it comes out of a man's mouth, it is not heard. A black man can have the same idea, but unless it comes out of a white man's mouth, it is not heard. I'm done with this. I'm sick of it. It is 2017.

Why do we feel the need to treat others differently based on their reproductive organs or skin color? We all bleed. We all breathe. We all live. We all die. We are just humans. Culturals differences aside, we are just humans. We are just creatures that are all trying to get through the day like everyone else. Treat each other as such.

I'm not saying we should be color blind or not see gender. Not at all. We all need to recognize that we come from different backgrounds and different upbringings. Instead of discriminating against it, embrace that difference. Learn more about the culture. Learn more about the gender barrier. Learn more about what makes us different.

I understand many Americans (and people across the globe) now believe that this country is more segregated because of Trump. Fine. Whatever. Political stance aside, prejudice did not just start this election season. The racism, sexism and prejudice has been around for centuries. Trump did not start it nor will he end it. You know who will?

We will.

I'm so sick and tired of seeing it. Why is it weird that I'm a white woman with friends of different races and sexualities? They're just humans that I get along with and have common interests. Why are people afraid of meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures? Those differences is what make us all unique individuals and humans.

I'm done with it. Get over your ego. Get over yourself. You are not that special. You are just a human that's trying to live everyday. That's what everyone else is.

Realize that you're just a human with the same heart, lungs and bones as everyone else in this world. Get rid of your ego, drop your mentalities and just realize that we're all trying to live.

It's 2017. Let's act like it.