As I've often found in life, I don't nicely fit the demographic.

Yes, I am a woman, and I live in Kansas. But I'm 26, don't have children and have been married for less than a year. I work nights and see my husband on weekends. We fawn over our puppy and cats, and we don't plan to have children. We don't even know whether we plan to stay in Kansas.

But northeast Kansas has always been my home. I grew up in the country near Lake Perry. We had horses. I was in 4-H for 12 years. And I have that farm-girl stubbornness that tells me I can do anything.

To meet me on the street, you probably wouldn't guess any of those traits. I dress more like a thug than a professional.

Taking over as content editor of Hers Kansas has again put me in the position of feeling like an outsider who's snuck into the clubhouse. But sometimes, once you're in the the clubhouse, you begin to realize everyone is an outsider in their own way. No one quite fits the demographic, because trying to pigeonhole people just doesn't work. It's a lesson I've had to learn in high school, college and my career.

As much as I despise the Generation X label or any other being thrown at me, it's hypocritical and ignorant of me to think Hers Kansas readers fit into one group and I in another. We are the same. For all of our differences, we are part of the same culture, share the same concerns and work toward the same goals.

I see that overlap in this month's cover story, about District Court Judge Julie Robinson, a woman who has followed an admirable career path and attained success at a young age. She is driven to do it all -- and do it well.

The creator in me gets involved in way too many projects. I sew handbags and eye masks, refinish furniture, attempt bonsai. I am skilled in many arts, a master of none. On Page 16, Linda Lee shares with us a few easy steps to create the perfect tote bag -- one I know I've never been able to find.

Politically, I find similarities with Kristen Buford's realization (Page 6) of how her experiences have molded her politics, and that it seems no one else in our twenty something club seems to care.

I was leery of this project when it began two years ago. Why do women need a magazine just for them, I thought. It seemed exclusory. As I meet readers, though, I'm learning this magazine speaks to a larger audience.

Hers Kansas is a place to find solace in the similarities and strength in the differences -- a place to share stories of our common human experience and our attempts to builder stronger relationships and careers. Stronger selves.

Cynthia Price is a copy editor and page designer at The Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at (785) 295-5653 or cynthia.price@cjonline.com.