1. By perseverance, passion, and determination, life will work out.
-I used to stress out about every little thing, trying to ensure that I would decide on one strict plan and end goal and end exactly there. But then life happened, circumstances changed, and I grew/discovered more about myself than I thought I had already knew. I'll admit that it has been a scary thing losing sight and desire for a future I once had planned out. However, I have realized that it is terrifyingly beautiful and freeing to trust yourself that no matter what, you have made it this far and will continue pushing to obtain anything you truly desire. While plans may change and although the future cannot guarantee 100% certainty, the only way life will not figure itself out is by sitting back and sulking about your life, pursuing things you don't have any desire of doing, and not taking action in doing things that bring you happiness or bring you a step closer to being the person want to be.
2. Life isn't fair.
-If I'm going to be frank, life is not rainbows and sunshine. Life can suck at times and it can suck for a while. However, we are all handed different cards and what may be going well in one's life may be lacking in someone else's. There is really no measure of fairness in life. "Life is fair in that it's unfair." This being said, it is all dependent on how we handle what we are given that makes life different from one another.
3. Mental health is vital.
-Although it may not be as visible as wearing a cast, mental health is an important and crucial aspect of life that must be attended to. This was a difficult one for me to grasp for a long time (and one I still struggle to remember sometimes), but it's not until you accept the fact that you may not be okay and may need a little help or a break that you can actually get better and live your life to a higher quality.
4. Relationships > Materials.
-Sure money and designer purses bring happiness, but at the end of the day it's the people in your life who are truly valuable. Make time for the people who add value to your life rather than spending on extra matter.
5. Love yourself first.
-Know your worth, recognize your value, and accept nothing less than you deserve. If you don't love yourself, how can you expect others to show you the love and respect you deserve.
6. Appreciate the Past, Plan for the Future, but Live in the Present.
-I used to hate trends because I knew they'd be "last season" within a few months, but I later realized I was missing out on being able to enjoy the present because I continuously thought ahead into the future. Also, just as fashion has a way of coming back around, your past events and experiences have a way of coming back around too. Thus, it is important to acknowledge that past events and experiences have impacted the person you are today. It is important to reflect on your past in order to appreciate or better your present and future.
7. F*** what people think of you. This is your life. Live it.
-Once you realize that you are the one having to live with the choices you make, you are able to stop letting everyone else's judgements and opinions consume you. If people have nothing better to do than talk about you behind your back or judge everything you do/wear/post, then that's a personal issue for them. So you do you and drive the haters crazy.
8. The worst someone can say is no.
-Rejection is something most of us are afraid of, but without attempting how will we ever be accepted.
9. Life's too short to settle.
-Like I've stated in my post "Resolutions & Revolutions": "Don't settle for people, don't settle for life, don't settle for yourself. People always say know your worth and what you deserve, but that's not the part that's hard. The hard part is having the patience to wait till something/someone is deserving and good for you to come around or having the patience to continue working hard until you've accomplished a dream you have. In my opinion, settling is giving up. Don't give up. Don't just accept what is. Work for it, change it."
10. Travel as often as possible.
-Travel has so many benefits. It introduces you to different cultures, allows you to discover unfamiliar places and unknown likes/dislikes, creates memories, and is empowering.
11. Take advantage of every opportunity and if there doesn't seem to be opportunities arising, then create one.
-The only way to move forward, make memories, or get anywhere in life is by searching for opportunities that will help/get you what you want and by saying yes to the opportunities that present themselves. If you cannot find anything that interests you, then find a way to create an opportunity that suits something you are passionate about.
12. Eat healthy, Be active, Live happily.
-The body and mind are connected so treat your body right and your mind will follow.
13. Comparisons kill. (timeline, life, and materials)
-People always say your 20s are weird, and so far that has prevailed as true. Some people are going to school, some are already working. Some are exchanging numbers in bars, while others are exchanging vows. Some people are popping babies, and some are popping bottles. It is so easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others timelines, experiences, and general life but it is these comparisons that can become consuming and can lead to self-destruction. So don't spend too much time stressing over and trying to compete with the people around you on things that differ with each person. Enjoy what you have and appreciate/work with the life you have been given.
14. You do not owe anyone anything.
-If someone buys you a drink, you do not owe them your night. If someone compliments your appearance, you do not owe them your body. You do not owe anyone your friendship and time if they don't value it; an apology if you don't mean it; respect if they don't deserve it; or an explanation/information about your private personal life.
15. Boys will say anything to get you to do anything.
-Dating in college can be difficult, especially with the rise of the hookup culture. Be cautious of who you trust, be wary of how much you drink, and keep your guard up until someone can prove that it is safe for it to be let down.
16. Don't let anyone else's perceptions of you and your life interfere with you becoming or pursuing the things you want to do.
-For the longest time I felt pressure to pursue a certain career path. It wasn't even necessarily pressure from people around me, but pressure from the perceptions I thought they had of me. However, when I finally accepted the fact that I no longer wanted to continue with my original path, I've experienced more support, happiness, and empowerment than ever before.
17. Find a way to turn your weaknesses into strengths.
18. Sometimes it takes stepping back in order for you to leap forward.
-When in a rut, a small detox from dating, booze, social media, processed crap, etc. is necessary to help you understand what you do or don't like about your life. It takes reflection, awareness, and action to bring you out of a rough patch.
19. You can have more than 1 passion in life.
-This past year I was really struggling with what I wanted to do in life and who I wanted to be. It wasn't until my mom turned and said to me, "You can have more than 1 passion in life" that I was really able to accept all the different pieces and elements of myself that make me, well me.
20. Have a good balance of work and play.
-Work hard, but don't forget to play hard too. Life is all about balance
20. Trust in God, build a stronger relationship with God.
21. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE YOUR LIFE TOGETHER BY 21!
XOXO,
Alyssa Ashley