Forever 21

I turned 21 this past Monday and to be quite honest, I really don’t care! I know that seems harsh but that’s my truth! 21 is about being an adult, coming to grip that you’re on your own and tapping into your potential + discovering who you truly are. To me, I’ve ridden the wave of that thrill already. I’ve been adulting since I was 17 so there’s nothing new going on here…just another year of paying bills. Lol Last year, I woke up crying my eyes out so who knows what type of emotion will hit me.

Here are 21 things I’ve learned since ’97.

1)True friends + support are hard to come by. I’ve learned that when it boils down to pivotal points in your life, the ones that swarm you with love and hold you accountable when it matters most, are the ones you need to hold on to.

2)Life isn’t a race. When I was in middle school, I conjured up this radical plan that I’d be married with at least 3 kids, and a doctor by the time I was 25. To be honest, I’ve taken 2 semesters off from college, I’m struggling to find the motivation to finish out my bachelor’s degree and little babies + medical school are the FURTHEST things from my mind. I just don’t have the patience right now. But I know everyone has their own paths and run their races at their own pace so it is what it is. It’s okay to go with the flow + live the life God’s blessed you with at THIS present time. What’s to come WILL come. I just pray for strength for the journey.

3)You don’t live for others, you live for you! 2017 was life changing for me! And at the latter part of the year, I started making decisions that I felt was best for me. I started living life selfishly because during the course of me being alive, I’ve done what others told me to do or felt what was best for other people as it pertained to me. We don’t do that in 2018, sis.

4) Sacrifices are apart of life, and they always trump selfishness. Truly giving out of my heart, without expecting anything in return is the best blessing. Even Jesus made sacrifices..and you see how that worked out for Him. #boom #ILoveHim #DoYou?

5)It’s okay to embrace change. Sometimes we don’t want to go with the flow of life because we’re comfortable in the place we are but change is good. Change is inevitable. Change is equivalent to growth.

6)People will always talk. Let them. Rumors. Truths. Gossips. Facts. Blah Blah Blah. Somebody will always have something to say about something, myself included. However, it’s up to you to let it bother you or build you.

7)The world is yours! Take it by storm! Travel! Explore! Let your hair hang down! There’s an entire universe out there that we haven’t seen because we’re either too comfortable where we are or too afraid to TAKE. IT. BY. STORM! We have full access to allllll the cattle on the hill. Tap into who you are and what belongs to you!

8)You are exactly where God has purposed for you to be.Relinquish control and allow Him to set the pace for your life. It’s not by chance that you’re in this place but because that’s where God wants you to be. Relax, sis. You’re fine.

9)“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think” – Winnie the Pooh I felt this on a spiritual level. I mean, Winnie blessed me. If you don’t spread your wings, you’ll never soar. If you don’t move your feet, you’ll never run. You have so much potential. So much!

10)Don’t make mountains out of mole hills. The past year has taught me to not let little details outweigh the bigger picture. It’s unnecessary. There’s no need.

11)Don’t fret. Don’t fight. It’s for the greater good + you have the victory. Well, there’s that.

12)Stay in your assignment so you won’t miss your target. We all struggle with this thing called purpose. I know I do. But when you cling onto the things that you feel drawn to and do so with all your heart, you’ll be rewarded in due time. Someone out there needs you and what your hands can do. They are your targets, your focal points. Don’t miss your mark.

13)Protect your heart. Protect your vision. It’s perfectly fine to keep things under wraps. You only get one heart. You don’t have to let everyone in. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Your obligation is to yourself to start with, and sometimes, you have to be selfish. That’s apart of the “twenty-somethings” life.

14)Disappointment is common. Sometimes, all things don’t fall into place. Things happen. That’s life.

15)Everything you want is not exactly what you need. Exchange your desires for the things that are godly necessary in the will of God. It’ll hurt much less and in the end, you’ll understand you needed what God wanted for you in the first place.

16)Know them that labor among you. If you’re going to deal with people, deal with them RIGHT where THEY are.

17)Part of being an adult is learning how to suffer on your own. Independence is more than just a word to throw around. I’ve had more bills than I could afford but I’ve never been late pr behind on a payment. I’ve worked for everything I wanted and have without having to depend on others to back me up. Adulting 101.

18)Mistakes don’t make you a failure. I beat myself up more times than I can think but at the end of the day, I’m still alive and I’m wiser. My mistakes have turned into missions.

19)Mentors are essential to your growth. It’s okay to let people in but be wise. Mentors should be knowledgeable, compassionate, and able to provide guidance. Being a mentor is about selflessness. If whomever you look up to doesn’t help you grow where you’re planted, then sis, we need a reevaluation.

20)Social media is a privilege.Everyone isn’t entitled to your life. You don’t have to feel obligated to people.

21)PROTECT YOUR PEACE, SIS!! At the end of the day, it’s really all you have left. No one is worth an increase in your blood pressure, stress inflicted illnesses, and unnecessary frustration. Protecting your peace is a movement. Ride the wave, sis!

Here’s to 21! There’s nowhere else to go but UP from here!

xoxo,

AjaYvonne