In a world where instamodels and celebrities rule the cyber universe, it’s hard to not get lost in the hustle of trying to look like you have it all.
-Myself, but someone has probably said it better
To think I have lived a quarter of my life, blows my mind. I also wonder if others ever envision themselves making it past those “life milestones”? You know, graduating highschool/college, get a job, find true love, get married, have kids…etc. etc. You know, all the bigs ones.
To be perfectly honest with you, it is something I struggle with immensely. I never “see myself” doing or being something that isn’t obvious to me in that exact moment. A personal problem, I am told. One that can limit my thought process and aspirations. I always think of the movie, The Lion King, during that one scene where Mufasa is telling Simba that all the land the sun touches belongs to him but Simba is more curious about what lies beyond his immediate view. I aspire to be more like Simba. To see myself beyond what I am today or even tomorrow, but years from now; to be another quarter of a century older. (God willing, of course.)
So, even though I have a lot of personal growth to continue working on, for instance: do I actually like my hair long or short? I still don’t have an answer just yet! Just kidding, there is obviously more prevelant and meaningful thoughts going on in my head than that. But without getting too off topic, I figured I would jot down my two sense on how I finally found success and happiness at 25 in hopes that what I have learned can help you.
1. Define What Success & Happiness Is For You
Ahh how anticlimatic. I do think its important to get this post started off on the right foot and let you know that if you are looking for how to become America’s second youngest self-made billionare, behind Kylie Jenner, this might not be the post for you. However, if you are looking for inspirtation on how to live a fuller, more balanced life than hopefully you can find that here.
Basically, success and happiness are subjective and the sooner you dig deeper into what makes YOU happy the better you’ll be and more successful in the end.
SHOP THIS LOOK
2. Don’t Feel The Need To Keep Up With The Jones, Because You ARE the Jones
THIS THIS THIS! In a world where instamodels and celebrities rule the cyber universe, its hard to not get lost in the hustle of trying to look like you have it all. If you leave here with one tidbit of information it is this. You do not, and I repeat, DO NOT, have to have a billion dollar company, the perfect body, go on lavish vacations and live in a manison to be successful. And for those of you who might have said to yourself, “ok Angelina, thats what people who are poor/unsuccessful say to themselves to make themselves feel better”…..in your snooty voice…You sir, can leave.
In all seriousness, you have to learn to march to the beat of your own drum. For some of us, growing older helps alleviate the pressure we feel to be like everyone else. For others, its a concious effort, a day-to-day choice to let go and live the life you want to live without the influence of influencers.
Tip: Follow REAL people on social media. Ya know, the ones with regular jobs like you and I. Its perfectly okay to apsire to be and have more. Its just not healthy to believe that you’ll find happiness when you actually do have more. We see it time and time again with celebrities who say they are miserable. Even though money can give you the opportunity to do the things that do make you happy, just remember that joy is not the sum of money and things. So if you arent following me by now, here you go. I am a real person 😉
3. Keep Your Circle Small
There is nothing more important than your support system. Your go-to’s, your ride or dies. They say you are a reflection of the 5 people you spend the most time with. So make sure those people rock your world in a good way. There is nothing I find more draining and life sucking than a large group of fake friends. If your groups isn’t full of people who lift you up, push you to do more, help you see what is really important in life or gives you those “made me laugh so hard” abs, then to be frank, you don’t want them.
4. Invest, Invest, Invest
In my opinion, now is the time to start saving and spending responsibly. Specially when it comes to things that will pay dividens in the long run. But I don’t mean money. I am no expert on that and dont ever claim to be qualified to tell others what to do with their finances.
I am talking about something worth more than a dollar bill. I am talking about you, your inner peace, your time and energy. Those are the valuedable things money can’t buy. You can be rich with relationships, experiences and love. Or robbed poor of inner peace and joy. All without ever swiping your credit card.
Invest in yourself: personally, physically, spiritually and professionally. Spend time with people who help you grow, make you laugh and are there for you when you are down and out. Cash in on the moments you can’t get back. Withdraw the things and people that deplete you of your inner sanctity. And never, ever pay interest on things that won’t appreciate over time.
I want to leave you with two of my favorite quotes. The first I found on Pinterest which was…
“In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed”
And the second is an excerpt from the GOAT of TV shows, Game of Thrones.
A father says to his son…
”You managed to stay soft and fat, your nose buried in books, spending your life reading about the achievements of better men”
Okay, that second one is a bit differnt but just let me explain. Stay with me now. I remember these two quotes because they bring you back down to Earth while also reminding you to let go of Earthly expectations and live the life that belongs to you and not of those you see online.
You only get one life, be successful at living it and be someone worth reading about.