Hey loves! In honor of my birthday today, I wanted to make a fun post that would help you get to know me more! After hearing your votes across my social media platforms, the winner was:
28 Things I’ve Learned:
- I should always come first in my own life. We can’t forget to take care of ourselves both physically and mentally because this allows us to be our best selves, and thus care for others in the best way possible.
- Stop going in the damn sun without sunscreen!!! I spent my entire Floridian youth tanning all through high school and college with little to no SPF and now sunspots are creeping up as a result. I wish I had known how easy and safe it was to self-tan! Really would’ve saved me a lot of time and skin aging!
- I try to fuel my body with foods that will make me better, not worse. A simple rule to follow that I learned from Cody Sattler is: “If you can kill it or you can grow it, you can eat it.” I feel my best when I stay away from processed food as much as possible (easier said than done!)
- “The best kind of people are the ones who stay.” I love this quote from R.M. Drake. I’ve learned that as we get older, the amount of true friends/family that we have shrinks, but we learn to appreciate the truest of friends so much more. If you have even just one person that you can count on for anything, you are lucky!
- “Sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” That one’s from Dr. Suess and is so true! I try to live in the moment and enjoy things while they are happening by staying off my phone and making actual memories!
- Don’t forget to pay people compliments even if it makes you uncomfortable. I will think things in my head but not always tell the person, especially if it is a stranger. But when I do tell them I love their shoes or lipstick for example, their faces light up and it reminds me that I need to do this more often.
- I am actually somewhat of an introvert in that I prefer to stay in as opposed to going out quite often. I love my alone time, and I prefer texting over phone calls. And to be honest, I can actually be a bit cynical with my outlooks. However, people constantly compliment me on my friendliness and ability to interact in social settings. Thus, I guess I am a weird mix of introverted yet very extroverted once I am out in public. Hmmm…honestly still learning about this part of me!
- My love languages are Quality Time & Physical Touch. Of course I appreciate all five, but you are “supposed” to pick just two. I am not big on Acts of Service because I’m very independent and feel like I can take care of myself. I also don’t care much about Gifts. Words of Affirmation are nice, but this goes back to #7 where I mentioned my cynical outlook. I appreciate a sweet sentiment every now and then, but I’m a much bigger believer in actions speaking louder than words. Words can lie but actions don’t.
- People who keep their word are so rare and I value them more than anything. Reliability is truly way more impressive to me than anything else someone can say or do.
- We all sin differently, so I try my best to keep from judging others based on what I see them do “wrong.” Just because someone does something I don’t agree with doesn’t make me any better than them, and vice versa. We really all need to just mind our own damn business and the world will be a much happier place!
- I just discovered podcasts and cannot get enough of them. I love listening to pop culture ones including The Lady Gang, I Don’t Get It, Reality Steve, E & G Podcast, etc. Feel free to comment some other ones you suggest I give a try!
- I love helping people find thing that make them feel better about themselves! This is how my blog started out and I still get the best feeling inside when people thank me for my help or recommendations. Thanks to you guys!!
- Microblading is the key to life. It changed my world honestly (even if other people think that is insane). Read about it here.
- Press-on nails are the other key to life! Read about them here.
- Don’t waste product! Now I cut open “empty” tubes/bottles of product and am able to scoop out multiple days worth of extra that I would’ve otherwise thrown away!
- I am so passionate about skincare and beauty. I could literally read about products, procedures, techniques, etc all day long. I love learning about these things and sharing my knowledge with others. Stay tuned for an exciting series I’m putting together along these lines! 😉
- It’s so important for us to do the things we are afraid of whether it is attending an event, going on a first date, or doing something adventurous. They say that the fun begins at the edge of your comfort zone and I know I’ve had some of my best experiences by stepping outside that area. I think we should all do more of what scares us.
- That being said, we live in a crazy world that is getting more frightening by the day. I’ve learned that it pays to be extra cautious especially as a young woman. Always trust your gut and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself when someone makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Sometimes we can all be too prideful and fail to ask for help when we really need it. Nobody can read my mind, so if there is something I need or want I need to verbalize it. Most of the times people who are really there for you will jump at the chance to help you out!
- Our society is funny because we have come to be comfortable sharing so much of our lives on the internet, social media, etc. Yet some things are so underdiscussed that there are so many negative stigmas around the things we should really be discussing more openly. One of these that I’m particularly passionate about is mental health. I try to discuss things openly and set an example to others so that they feel just as comfortable doing so themselves.
- I somehow stumbled my way into working in the animal health industry. I have an amazing job that I feel so blessed to have found, yet I never was particularly passionate about animals funny enough. So, I have learned far more about the health and anatomy of pets, horses, cows, and pigs than I ever cared to or thought I would ever know!
- Although we are taught not to talk to strangers, in a safe setting it can be so rewarding. Through my job and travels, I have met so many people from all over the world who I have come to count as true friends. I’ve learned about so many cultures that I would’ve never even known about had I not been open to making friends, conversation, and memories with strangers.
- So often women are thought to be catty and pitted against each other, yet most of the ones I meet are actually incredibly kind and such a great time. We ladies need to be more open and supportive of each other if we want to really show the world why we are so deserving of everything it has to offer! Through blogging I have met so many sweet ladies that I admire and am blessed to call new friends!
- Online shopping is my best friend! I don’t have the patience to shop in stores (other than Target of course!) and have actually realized that shopping online can get you way better deals if you don’t mind waiting a few days for your order to come in. Check out my post here sharing the many ways you can get better savings by shopping online!
- Not all makeup is created equally. I try to buy products that have clean ingredient decks, free of fake chemicals that aren’t good for my skin. If you deal with acne, you should particularly look for makeup that is talc-free. I try to also support local business whenever I can by purchasing products made in the US!
- Some trends are just not for everyone. It is a waste of my money to purchase an article of clothing that I loved on someone else if it will not flatter my personal body type. It’s way better to stick to the basics that withstand the test of time!
- Meditation can be a wonderful tool for anyone to bring more peace and joy to your life. I always thought it was kind of a hippie thing, but when I downloaded an app and practiced it frequently I learned how wrong I was. It is actually very challenging and can be so rewarding as you grow better and better with practice. I recommend anyone try it no matter what you are dealing with in life! Mental health is just as important as physical health!
- And finally, I’ve learned that blogging brings an extra level of joy to my life that I didn’t know I was missing and I truly have the sweetest readers in the world! <3
Hope you enjoyed reading! The best gift of all is having amazing readers like you who continue to support me! I’d love for you to subscribe to my blog by entering your email below so you will be updated 2x a week (when I publish new posts!) xoxo, Nicole