21 Things

My birthday is coming up very soon and the idea for this came from a period of reflection as well as some soul searching on Pinterest (I do this more than I would like to admit haha). I'm going to be 21 in about a week and I'm so grateful for another year where I have been able to learn so much. In honor of getting a little older, learning, growing, and accomplishing things, I wanted to go over the 21 things I've learned by age 21.

1. Being kind is always the way to go. Don't let the world harden you to a point where you find it hard to show kindness towards others.

2. Don't change yourself for anyone or anything.

3. It's important to be able to take criticism properly. Managing to gracefully accept what others think applies to work and life.

4. People will always have something to say - don't let it get to you. You are fabulous and fierce!

5. Call home. It'll make you feel better.

6. Only you truly know yourself. No one will ever know you as well as you know yourself no matter how much you open up.

7. Very few things are permanent. People will come and go, things will change, and at times there will be nothing you can do about it.

8. Do not let rejection stop you from trying. Things will not always go the way you want but you have to keep going no matter what.

9. Know your worth. You are valuable and your skills are valuable do make sure to keep that in mind as you go through all the things you have to do.

10. Stand up for what is right. It does not matter what others might think but it certainly does matter if you stand up to injustice.

11. Take time off to enjoy yourself. Don't let the hustle and bustle of life burn you out.

12. Surround yourself with people who make you want to be a better person. If someone drains you, it's time to let them exit your life.

13. Your time is valuable. Spend it wisely because you're never going to get it back.

14. Your siblings have the potential to be your best friends.

15. You are so much stronger than you know. You can and will get through things you thought you would never be able to recover from.

16. Lifting others up and supporting their success will never harm you. Help, and be the best cheerleader possible.

17. Trust your instincts even when you seem a little confused about why you feel a certain way about something. Usually, your instincts are spot on.

18. Take a step back and observe what is going on instead of talking. You'll learn so much about the people in your life.

19. Be wary of people. As sad as it is, not everyone has the best in mind for you. Protect yourself and be wary.

20. Don't let anyone control your life because at the end of the day, it's your life. No one else is going to going to your job everyday, and no one is going to be doing exactly what you are doing.

21. Live for the little moments. Cherish the things in your life and if you can, try to create some of these moments for someone else. What goes around comes around after all :)

xx

What To Do Now? Post-Graduation Blues

Update: I ALSO GRADAUTED (6/2/17)!!

I've recently have had a bunch of people in my life graduate from college (I'M SO PROUD). A lot of them have come to me in utter confusion about what to do next. That has caused me to really sit down and think as well as consult with those who are well in past graduating in any part of their life. Together with some incredible people, the following list was born. Although I'm no expert on what to do after graduating since I'm only a senior in college, I really took to heart the advice given to me by those who have already moved on to their post-grad lives.

What to do after graduating?

 Enjoy the moment and be proud of yourself: It is human nature to overlook one's achievements and simply jump in to the future. At this point, I can't stress how important it is to take a step back and really think about the amazing thing you've just done. After years of work, you're one of the few people in this world who have obtained an education. You've walked across the stage and came down with a degree. That is INCREDIBLE. Do not sell yourself short! Really take a look at the past couple years and realize that all those late nights, and 8am classes were beyond worth it. 

 Take a look at your loan statements: Many people who graduate do so with the help of some sort of loan and after graduating, it's extremely important to take a look at all of your loans and make a plan. This is part of being an adult and as scary as it is, it is crucial to make a plan on how you will be paying back the money your borrowed. Thinking now will save you a lot of problems in the future. Know that you aren't alone as you start to work on a repayment plan. Ask for help in terms of understanding on how loans work because you'll be surprised to find how willing people are to spread their knowledge about how they worked through their budgeting to make things work.

Do something you've always wanted to: Yes college gives you a lot of freedom but you will have some time just after graduation which will the most incredible sense of freedom you will ever experience in your life. Do something you've wanted to for as long as you could remember. Do you remember wanting to travel to every continent? Do it. Do you remember wanting to take that tap dancing class? Do it. Do you remember thinking you wanted to start a business? Do it. You are on a roll in your life and embracing this will give you wonderful memories as well as morale to continue the transition in to adulthood. 

Know that the best is yet to come: This is probably the most important point on this list. Yes, you graduated and no it is not the end of having fun and enjoying yourself. The next five years are going to be the best times of your life because you have the perfect mixture of maturity and a desire to live life to the fullest. Take risks while you can, try new things, and if you don't know what you are doing with your life, you're lucky :) You have the prime of your life to figure that out. I've heard a lot of people say "It all goes down hill from here" but I strongly disagree. There is no where to go but up. You are equipped with a degree, a sense of adventure, and the best is truly yet to come. 

Congrats to everyone who has graduated! I am excited to be in your shoes next year.

xx

 

Celebrating yourself - The Reverse Bucket List

I'm really guilty of being too hard on myself guys - I don't cut myself slack...ever. Eventually, I end up breaking and crying because of everything that I have bottled up. However, as I am getting older and as yet another birthday approaches (yikes haha), I am learning to take a moment to appreciate all the things that I have accomplished. Just taking a look at myself last year and comparing that to now, I can declare with full confidence that I have grown and have accomplished more than I thought I would. In honor of that, I wanted to do a reverse bucket list - a list that gives recognition to the things that I have accomplished in one way or another.

I love myself - I do. I love myself. I can't tell you long it has taken me to tell myself that I am important and that I am someone who is full of worth. I literally woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and said "I love myself." Saying those words out loud immediately lifted a burden off of my shoulders and suddenly everything seemed just a tad bit brighter. I won't lie and say that there aren't days where I berate and criticize everything I do but it's not nearly as bad as it once was. My standards for friendships and relationships have soared as well and I have never been happier. Knowing that I am full of worth has made me put up with less crap so I've cut out people who drain me of positive energy because ain't nobody got time for that.

I'm a senior in college - I'm less than 20 credits away from a degree!! College has kicked my ass and I've fallen down more than I can even count but I've gotten back up every single time through the help of my family, a few select friends, and my own willpower to keep going. Through deaths of people I loved, loss of people I thought would be my friends forever, being rejected over and over, I've remained standing. I've carried on. I'm on track to graduate with high honors and I'm looking forward to continuing my education so that I can help those in need. I've grounded myself and I now know that you have to keep moving. Life does not stop moving even when you are trying to not fall apart. 

I've become a leader - These past couple years I've heard a lot of things about myself, some good and some bad. Recently, I heard that I'm not "firm enough" and that "I'm too nice" to possibly lead a team effectively even though I am highly qualified. I was so hurt but then I walked in to a meeting at the UN where they asked me to lead and facilitate the discussion. After that, I was chosen by an incredible researcher to train and lead the graduate students in their training at the lab. Then, a government official asked me to come in and be in charge of a group of much older policy makers to bring forth real change. I was told that I am able to take a step back and let people work but that I step in when needed which indicates true leadership. My heart soared and suddenly I wasn't feeling so hurt anymore. I was a leader not because I was the loudest, but because I was the one that listened.

I've hardened - This probably sounds so weird but let me explain. I am sensitive you guys. I am sensitive and emotional and I am proud. However, I've come to a point where I am able to control my emotions with such efficiency because in training therapy sessions or at my internship, I've gone through some awful cases that have made me want to cry. Obviously, you cannot be falling apart when you are trying to help people who need you to emulate strength and so I've learned to bottle my reactions and stay composed in the face of tragedy. I've been able to be a source of comfort for friends and family going through hell because I can keep it together. Sometimes, I'm in a room and everyone is sobbing and I am just standing there trying to comfort others and for me that is a sign of growth. I would have fallen apart and any and every tear before. 

Phew - these are just some of things I am proud of. I would have never imagined myself writing this a year ago but a lot has happened. I would love to hear about things you are proud of because we should all apologetically celebrate our accomplishments. Sending lots of love, as always.

xx

For The Love Of Thick Eyebrows

We all have so many insecurities and I'll be the first to admit that I am no exception. It has taken me a long time to accept so many things about myself and one of those things are my eyebrows. Am I seriously making a post about eyebrows? Yup.

I have spent so much time coming to terms with loving this feature about myself and I think it's important to put a spotlight on something I was once ashamed of. I never used to think about my eyebrows or really anything because I was honestly so carefree and I simply enjoyed life. It wasn't until a I heard a girl make fun of me that I started to become self conscious. I was mortified and a feeling of shame overcame me and did a lot of damage to the way I perceived myself. It started a slight downward spiral of insecurity which was honestly so horrendous. I wish with all my heart that the current me could go back to little me and give her a giant hug. I would tell myself to be proud of everything you have been given and that thick eyebrows will be way in soon!

I mean, just look at how fabulous these brows are :) 

I guess the whole point of this post is to bring home the concept of accepting things that make you you. It sure has hell took me a long time but I that acceptance of my eyebrows has brought me so much peace and so much confidence in so many other things. I love all my features and I know I'm a strong woman even though I still have my days but I know we all do. 

That's me!

I think the most rewarding part of accepting the things that me unique is when I explain to my younger cousins and the younger girls I work with just how much better things are when you do. So for the love of thick eyebrows, come to peace with what you are blessed with as best as you can. I promise you, it makes a difference!

xx