Here's to Completing A Full 24 Years On Planet Earth!

The 24th year of my life is, tomorrow, coming to a close (for those of you that are confused by this because I am turning 24 and not 25, allow me to explain: After you complete your first year on Earth, you turn 1. In the same way, after you complete your 24th year on Earth, you turn 24. Go ahead, let your mind be blown).
 Here is a list of 24 things I have learned over the past 8,765 days (yes, I included leap years).

1. People are going to disappoint you-- but not everyone. 

It's really easy to make generalized statements about the nature of humanity. Often times I find most people generalizing negatively. I have learned to keep in mind the truth-- that people will disappoint you. They will hurt you. They will stab you in the back. But not all people. And even sometimes those that have hurt you in the past will never do it again in the future. (Note that learning to distinguish who deserves a second chance and who does not will not be included on the list.)

2. Most shiny, new, fun toys will rust if you do not take care of them.

Whether it be a bicycle, kitchen knife, pair of scissors, friendship or a relationship. Without proper care and attention, it will start to oxidize. 

3. Drink tons of water every single day.

You feel better, you look better, you are better. Over 50% of your total body weight is water. That must be replenished and refreshed often.

4. Find a way to move your body every single day. Better yet, get obsessed with a specific type of movement.

As we all know, it's yoga for me. But for my roommate, it's running. That girl can GO. It's incredible. And she looks incredible to boot. 

5. Stop.Eating.Fast.Food

What's more, eat organic, sustainable and local whenever you can. It doesn't take long before that McDouble looks, tastes and smells disgusting. Just because we're still in college or recently out of college doesn't mean we have to eat like a frat boy. Your arteries, heart, waist line, complexion and mental capacity will thank you for it.

6. Stay home more often than not enjoying your own space and going to bed early. 

This one I began learning around 22. I had been working at Hawks Cay and had to get up pretty early for work. I just started feeling so much better than I was when I would go to bed in the wee hours of the morning and wake up well into the afternoon. Besides, the days feel longer and you can get more accomplished as well.

7. Never fall asleep without washing your face and brushing your teeth. Especially if you have make up on.

I heard one time that every night you go to sleep without washing your face, you age your skin 10-15 days. I don't know if it's true or not, but it was enough to scare me straight. And the teeth, I mean.. c'mon. I learned that around age 3. But sleeping in make up is the worst thing ever. You wake up greasy with black stains on your pillows looking like you just got out of an MMA ring. 

8. Stay in touch with all your best friends from High School.

Skype, Facebook, text, call.. whatever you have to do. This is the 21st century, there is no excuse. This is how you remember who you are-- even if just because it shows you who you used to be.

9. You don't have to feel guilty turning down an offer to go on a date or give someone your phone number and it doesn't have to be rude.

A friend told me a story of her friend who answers offers for dates/requests for phone numbers with: "If we truly have that much in common, I'm sure we will see each other out again. Thank you so much for the offer, though." That with a sweet smile, it perfect. And just because you don't go out on a date with them or give them your number doesn't mean you can't have a conversation.

10. Don't ever let anyone else tell you that you are broken regardless of their "qualifications." 

Ever.

11. Men and women can have completely platonic relationships, you just have to be open and honest.

One of my oldest and most precious friends is Brian. He and I have been friends forever and it has never caused any weirdness. Furthermore, I have never allowed a boyfriend to ever even begin to make me choose between the two of them and I have never done anything to make a boyfriend feel insecure about him (short of calling him, "Boo" which is actually a joke because neither of us would ever truly call a significant other by the name of a Hanna-Barbara cartoon character.)

12. Foundational beliefs are important in a romantic relationship.

Your core beliefs have to be parallel to make it work. If you don't want to be a mother, but he wants to be a father-- that's a huge deal. A deal breaker, really. If you are a devout Christian and he is an Atheist, it's not going to work. 

13. Get a pet. Or play with a friends pet. Or volunteer at an animal shelter. Or do all three. Whatever it is, spend time with animals.

They are simple. They are not complicated. They do not play games or have hidden agendas. It's a nice break from humanity and the seemingly lack there of sometimes. 

14. Wear sunscreen...

...even if you move out of South Florida.

15. Sense of humor is sexier than washboard abs.

You can't see a flat stomach in the middle of the night when all the lights are turned off but you can roll around laughing until your abs are burning in the dark. 

16. Sleeping with a top-sheet under your blanket is much more comfortable than a blanket alone.

It just is.

17. If you say, "Let's hangout sometime" or "I'll call you," do it. 

That's how I found my amazing roommate. We had been saying those two phrases for a year and never got around to it. So one day we just made a plan and stuck to it. And here we are now, in domestic bliss.

18. Stop spending stupid amounts of money on bottled water.

Unless you're living in a 3rd world country where the water will cause simultaneous explosive diarreah and projectile vomiting you are just throwing your money away and hurting the environment by buying bottled water. Buy a brita, filter your tap water and carry a stainless steel or glass reusable water bottle.

19. Invest in quality.

It may be more money initially, but you'll enjoy having nice things and they will last a lot longer. (Read: Bras!)

20. Even if it's cute, it's not worth it unless it is also comfortable.

Goodbye adorable boots that make my feet feel like I walked to Cannan with the Israelites. 

21. Never give more into a relationship than you are getting back.

This is one of my most recent lessons. And that's all we'll say about that.

22. Slow Down.

Driving. Talking. Reading. Eating. I have even begun learning how to enjoy slow yoga. It used to be all about moving, going, hurrying up. Slowing down has offered me some of the most amazing benefits of all the lessons I've learned.

23. Tan skin is not the only beautiful palor.

Fair, ivory, dark, medium, olive, black. If you take care of it, it will be beautiful regardless of the amount of melanin you have.

24. I cannot drink whiskey. 

There you have it. Let's see what this next year brings!

XO and Happy Birthday to me,

A