Tag Archives: life lessons

5 Life Lessons I’ve Learned Over the Past Three Decades

As many of you know, I just celebrated my 30th birthday and I’m super excited to be done with my 20s. While I learned a lot from the mistakes I made as a 20 something, I don’t believe in regrets because at the time that’s exactly what you wanted. With everything I’ve learned in my 30 years of living, I feel that I should share my knowledge and help others make better life decisions. Here are the top lessons I’ve learned the hard way so that maybe you don’t have to.

georgetown-cupcakes-30th-birthday-cake

Photo by: Zarif Taufiq

1. Just because the drinks are free doesn’t mean you have to drink them.

I have no further comment.

2. Being fired isn’t the end of the world. It’s the start of something new.

Not every job is for you and not everything you pursue is going to work out the way you think it will. And that’s okay. Just because you failed at something or were unceremoniously fired from a job doesn’t mean that you’re a failure or are doomed to a life of failure. Some of the most successful people in the world have been fired and are even more successful for it. To me, being fired just means that you should be pursuing something else that will serve you better or you should be taking a different approach to what you’d like to continue to pursue.

3. When fashions go out of style, keep them because they will always come back in style.

The 90s are back and I would give anything to still have my chokers, Calvin Klein tees and vintage Tommy Hilfiger pieces from my childhood. While I plan on stocking up again on chokers this season, I really wish that I had my originals from the 90s because it would save me money and I’d be wearing unique originals rather than mass produced copies.

Everything comes back in style every 20 years. There’s nothing truly new. Just recycled ideas that are brought back as new because they are new to people who weren’t alive 20 years ago. So find a dark corner of your closet to store old fashions because there is no doubt that they will become new again and we all need to be prepared for the next trend (even if it’s old news to you).

4. Credit cards are the root of all evil

I spent much of my early 20s maxing out credit cards. And guess what? They’re still pretty close to being maxed out. As I work to pay them down, I now only use my debit card in order to avoid taking on additional debt. Avoid credit cards if you can and if you have them make sure you pay them in full each month. The airline miles, the cash back or whatever else they are offering isn’t worth it unless you pay off your credit cards fast. While I’m finally getting serious about escaping the hold Chase Freedom has over me, the best way to get out of debt is not to get in it.

5. You’ll always regret what you didn’t do rather than what you did.

During my 20s I wasted a lot of time being hung over and asleep. Looking back, I really wish I would have used that time to pursue yoga, writing or anything else really. Now I make up for lost time by experiencing everything that I can. When I’m sometimes tempted to back out on plans or think I might not want to try something new, I always tell myself that I’m more likely to regret not doing it than doing it. So far, it’s been 100% true. I never hesitate to hit up a unique art show or go out of my way to visit a friend in another city. In order to live a full, well-rounded life, you need to embrace, try, pursue and say yes to everything. After all, you don’t really know if you like something or not until you’ve tried it and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to do it again.

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You Know You’re in Your Late 20s When

How can I look younger

Lately, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to how I’ve evolved since my early 20s. Looking back I can see my progression from spontaneous party girl living like there’s no tomorrow to a grown up businesswoman who still loves a tall glass of champagne. While I often wonder if I’ll ever own a home or see the world like I’ve always hoped, all I can do is keep trekking forward making sure that I have tons of fun along the way.

Six Signs that you’re in your Late 20s:

6. Friday Nights In

On Friday nights, you’d rather go to bed than hit the bar. Gone are the days of running to the nearest happy hour the moment work lets out. Once you’ve reached your late 20s, Friday nights become a time to rest and catch up on your favorite shows.

5. Say Goodbye to Daddy’s Credit Card

You no longer have access to your parents’ credit cards. But you’ve probably racked up a significant credit card debt of your own that you’re just starting to pay off. You must mourn this loss.

4. Weekends Mean Weddings

As you attempt to grow your savings account and relax at home on Friday nights, your friends are settling down too. This means your weekends are going to be filled with weddings, bridal showers and of course bachelorette parties. While this means more parties for you, be sure to budget for dresses, gifts and travel.

3. Alcohol = Quality > Quantity

While you used to stock up on the cheapest possible drinks such as boxed wine and 24 packs of Keystone Light, you now prefer to chill at a wine bar or discover a new craft beer.

2. You Know Your Style

After years of experimenting with everything from clearance bin finds to maxing out your credit cards on couture, you finally know what items to splurge on and which to buy on sale. As a certified expert on what looks best on you and what you feel most comfortable in, you’ve also become your best personal stylist.

1. Clubs Become Lame

Though you still make an appearance at a club from time to time, they no longer have the celebrity appeal that they used to. After all, making it across the velvet ropes is so five years ago.

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Nineteen Again

In my aspiring life here in the Big Apple, I find myself still getting carded even at business events.  It’s flattering and all, but the other day when someone in the bar asked if I was nineteen, I remembered how much fun it was to actually be nineteen.  I had happily left high school behind and begun the most exciting four years of my life as an Advertising major at Syracuse University.  My student loans were rarely thought of and I didn’t have any class scheduled before 10:30 a.m.  Not to mention I was skinnier.  It’s no wonder I’m smiling so much in these pictures.

At twenty-five living in New York City, I like to look back on this magical time in my life whenever I get carded or mistaken for someone much younger.  Being an Aspiring Socialite is quite the chore that has forced me to face both normal people and celebrity problems.  I may have double the problems, but it is the path I have chosen and one that’s gotten me places I’ve never imagined I’d go.  BTW: I took these pictures with my best friend since first grade in the early spring of 2006 of the beaches of Avalon, NJ.