What with it being my 24th birthday, I decided to do things a little differently on the blog today. Birthdays are always a weird thing for me. Comparable at best to Sour Patch Kids, they are one of the most bittersweet events in my opinion. The older I get, the less it becomes about presents or being "your day," and the more it becomes about gaining a year, figuring out what you've learned. What you're doing with your life. What you plan to do. These days a birthday's true meaning is a heavy reminder that you better be on track, "or else." Regardless it can still be nice to look back, which is why I've decided to share my sporadic musings on this past year for this post.

1. A lot of the time, things aren't going to go your way. But you don't have to mope about it. Choose to remain positive throughout all the bullshit, and you'll notice that you really are in charge of how bad your day can be.

2. There's no point in comparing your story to anyone else's. There's no point in comparing your beginning to someone else's middle. Rather you should seek to remain focused on your own path, and only find inspiration and positivity from others'.

3. Sometimes you're going to fuck up. Fast, big, and hard. And it's totally okay. But the important thing is how you carry yourself from then on. What you decide to do moving forward. Every choice you make shapes your future... our parents try to instill this in us at a young age, but of course some of us just have to learn that lesson on our own.

4. Not everyone is going to stick around to the end of your story. Some people are just meant to be a supporting actor in a few chapters of your life rather than a major or central character. Either way, the appearances from each unique person are all made for a reason. Choose to seek the lesson from each individual rather than any bitter feelings.


5. Know when to look out for yourself. Not everyone is your friend.

6. But still, always extend your best self to everyone. There's no point having bad blood with anyone, for your own sake as well as for others. There's something to be said of compassion and consideration.

7. Bide your time wisely. The habits and mannerisms you form in your early 20s can prove to be harder to shake off than your naive young mind originally might've convinced yourself as possible.

8. And choose your friends just as carefully. They say that your personality ends up being an average sum of the five people that surround you the most.


9. Work hard and mind your own business. This one's pretty self-explanatory.

10. Always be genuinely nice to people. You never know what someone else is struggling with. Your kindness could help them, and who knows? It might even end up helping to brighten your own day.

11. Gratitude goes a long way. Sure shit goes wrong and life sucks, it happens. But at the end of the day, you are breathing and you are alive and well. Remember this, and always remain grateful about the positive in your life. It could be gone in a nanosecond.

12. Appreciate the people around you. Don't wait until it's too late. Always tell people the positive thoughts you have about them, and in your own way let them know you care.


13. Stay true to yourself. I'll let you in on a little secret. One of the key aspects of being happy and confident with who you are, is the ability to stay true to who you feel most comfortable being. All while continuing to better yourself. And this should never be compromised for anyone.

14. Always remain humble. Another one that's pretty self-explanatory (or so I'd hope).

15. It doesn't hurt to change things up. Last year at this time I would have never thought that I would be back in NorCal, coming in for work at a fashion company at which my passion and lifestyle can be of use. Change can be scary, but it can also lead to some awesome things.

16. Just because you're out of school, doesn't mean your extracurriculars should end. Volunteering and feeding your hobbies and passions can prove to be quite fruitful and necessary, even long after you've become a post-grad.


17. Never stop trying to find the goodness in things. Trust me when I tell you that when things are looking bleak and the pathway ahead is filled with thunderstorms, this can help you find your sanity.

18. It's really never that bad. Whatever it is, you will get over it. As painful as it might feel at the time of, it's been well established that human beings are goal-oriented species. So whatever viewpoint you decide to set your mind to is what you will get out of life. Choose the right one. Choose to laugh at yourself and be a little silly!

19. People will piss you off. And not everyone is going to like you. It's just a fact of life. Don't let anyone's actions create a reaction out of you that you wouldn't be proud to look back on. Keep yourself and your emotions in check.

20. What you start out doing and what you end up doing may not always be in sync. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. I started college thinking I was going to be a boring business major as my mom desired,  but I graduated with a degree in Media Studies and Communications. It shaped my path since then and I couldn't be any happier with it. Trust your journey.


 21. Consistency isn't always going to be easy to attain. This is applicable in all aspects: career, love, friendship, family.

22. Make sure you are constantly challenging yourself. Getting comfortable with staying stagnant in life is dangerous. You can always be & do better.

23. An open mind is key to a better view. Perspective is everything.

24. Know your worth. When you realize how much you're worth, you'll stop giving other people discounts.