25 things I’ve learned over the last 25 years

I can’t believe I am 25 years old today. I don’t really know where the time went, it’s all been a blur after I turned 18. I’m thankful for everything I’ve learned, experienced, and been through the last 25 years and I’m looking forward to what’s to come. Here are 25 things I’ve learned over 25 years:

1. What’s meant for you will always be for you- Remember this when things don’t go the way you wanted them to or when you face rejection. Whatever’s meant for you can’t be taken away.
2. Speak up- Never be afraid to use your voice because people can’t read your mind.
3. Quality over quantity- This goes for friendships and whatever I buy. Invest in quality pieces that’ll last, rather than spending money repeatedly on things that have a short life span.
4. Nothing is worth the price of your health or peace of mind- If something doesn’t make you happy, leave it. Once your happiness is jeopardized, things seem to go downhill rather quickly.
5. Follow your own timeline- Not everyone has the same life timeline. Don’t compare your timeline to others and don’t let what others are doing discourage you.
6. Life’s short- Buy the bag and eat the pizza.
7. Not everyone’s going to like you and that’s OK- Don’t waste your time trying to please people or to change their minds, it’s time wasted that you’ll never get back.
8. Don’t over-tweeze your eyebrows- Keep them natural! Your eyebrows shape your entire face and after a while they don’t grow back. You’ll thank me later.
9. Your mom’s your best friend- There isn’t anyone who wants what is best for you more than your mama. She’s also always 99.9% right so just accept it, it is what it is.
10. Be able to be alone- Being comfortable alone is not the same as being lonely. There is growth and development when you figure out being comfortable alone.
11. No one will fight for your dreams as much as you will- You are in control of your life so don’t give the reigns to anyone else. Fight for what you want and do what is best for YOU.
12. If you want something done right, do it yourself- This goes for everything in life.
13. Nothing will ever go 100% as planned- Be able to adjust accordingly and always have a plan B.
14. Family is everything- I’m happiest when I am with my family.
15. Travel- Travel often and experience what the world has to offer! There’s so much to see and so much to learn.
16. Everything in life is temporary.
17. Leave the past in the past- Friendships that didn’t work, relationships that didn’t last, mistakes that you’ve made in the past, leave it there. You can’t grow and move forward if you’re still living in the past.
18. Set goals for yourself- Every year I set goals for myself that I want to accomplish. I believe if you write them down you manifest them , and you work harder to accomplish them.
19. Be true to you- You’ll find people will respect you more because of it.
20. Credit cards are NOT your best friend- Don’t get suckered and open a store credit card at all your favorite stores- it’s a trap. If you don’t have it, don’t spend it. Credit runs everything.
21. Hard work always pays off- When you’re not working, someone else is. Hard work is always rewarded.
22. Love makes the world go round- Surround yourself with it and love hard.
23. Dogs make the world a better place.
24. You get what you give – Everything in life is cause and effect and you get what you give out of it.
25. Follow your intuition- Your woman’s intuition is never wrong! Listen to it, embrace it, and live by it.

xx Raquel