You’re in your twenties, life is a crazy rollercoaster of emotions, new experiences, and memories that will last you a lifetime. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with following my heart and following what society tells me is acceptable for a woman my age. I’ve always been more of a low-key kind of girl, sticking to the side lines and playing it safe. It hasn’t been until recently that I have really embraced my womanhood and started to live without fears and boundaries. I still have my days where my anxiety gets the best of me, and times when that little voice in my head holds me back. Those days though are becoming fewer and fewer in between.
Anyways, what I am trying to tell you is that its okay to let go. Its okay to embrace the things you love. Find your passion in the moments and people that inspire you, and love without boundaries. I have spent most of my life embarrassed of the things I have felt deeply about, whether it was writing on forums or wanting to be more fashionable, even wanting to be a professional team roper. I would hold myself back from so many opportunities because I was afraid that I would fail and I felt that the world would judge me, but mostly that I would judge myself.
My journey to these discoveries happened when I really started putting myself first and openly and unashamedly enjoying these so-called “guilty pleasures”. Come to find out, there was nothing I ever had to feel guilty about though. The things I find comfort and enjoyment in might not be the same as yours, but I hope my words inspire you to be more open and honest about your own. The world might tell you that these things should become the skeletons in your closet, but I say flaunt it girl. You only have one life, live it well!
Shopping
- Girl, go ahead and buy those new shoes! Get that bag you’ve always dreamt about. Don’t hold back! Well, don’t go bankrupt either, but if you can make it work there is no reason you shouldn’t be spoiling yourself with items that make you feel like a million bucks.
Books/Movies
- I’m a total sucker for young adult novels. There, I said! It’s honestly really hard for me to read those self help books. Give me a book with mystery and twisted plot lines however and I’ll be reading on the couch all weekend! It took me a long time to realize that I can still better myself out without forcing myself to do things that make me miserable. Same goes with seeing movies! I never had a ton of friends in high school and was more of a loner, so I stayed home a lot. It wasn’t until my junior year that I realized it was perfectly okay for me to do things on my own. I can’t tell you enough the self empowerment I get from taking myself on a “movie date”. Being able to be alone and do your own thing without worrying about what the world thinks of you is so freeing. So rock that giant bag of popcorn for one person and read those books that inspire you!
Sports
- I for one stink at sports, in fact I am worse than that even. I was practically banned from joining sports teams in high school, I couldn’t even throw an empty water bottle into a trash can! But if you have even a shred of talent or drive to play sports don’t let anything hold you back! Don’t let anyone say that you can’t do something and do it well because of labels the world has given you. I’ve seen how sports and being a part of a team has changed so many young women’s lives and set the tone for their future.
Self Care
- Never feel bad about putting yourself first, never ever! Self care is, what I believe, the most important thing we can do to better ourselves. Self care is more than just getting your nails done, although things like that are still very important because feeling good on the outside makes us feel good on the inside too. Its meditating in the morning, eating the right foods, and getting exercise. We have to care for our body as a whole, and you should never feel guilty about doing what you need to do for yourself.
Personal Expression
- I dyed my hair purple in high school and have had almost every hair cut imaginable. I’ve gone from blonde, to brunette, to a red head, to purple, and back to blonde! So believe me when I tell you that finding your style, even if it changes year to year, is okay! The world won’t end, you can still get jobs, and your father will learn to look past it! (Mine did!) Heck, if you want that tattoo or that crazy hair don’t let anything stop you because when you are 85 you’ll be wishing you did. Remember that people mostly regret the things they didn’t do instead of the things they did.
Passions
- Writing, reading, and Netflix are my passions. I’m a total nerd but I don’t let people give me crap for that. Its what I like, oh well if its not every ones cup of tea! Find what you are passionate about and live every day filling your life with those things. I go from riding boots and mucking horse stalls, to writing a blog about makeup and saving the environment and living your best life. I’m a dichotomy but that’s just who I am, take it or leave it. When you live your life honestly about who you are you will soon find others who love you for you. That’s the best feeling in the world, knowing you accepted completely for who you are and not who others want you to be.
Ladies, please don’t ever sacrifice the things that you love to do or that inspire you to live better for people or a society that tells you its not okay. Embrace who you are without reservations because others can’t love you the way you need to be loved until you learn to love yourself. Spoil yourself, take care of yourself, and go wild when the world tells you that you need to make yourself small. Let your light shine and guide the way for others!
XOXO Taylor Mae
Tay By Day 