You grow up and life is hectic. Constantly trying to balance family, friendships, love life, work, social life, and me-time. Somehow this formula always seems to be pointing in one direction. Recently I was balancing the friendship and family points for my momma’s birthday. Her friends and their daughters are already in the hustlin’ and bustlin’ working world and are successful businesswomen. Luckily for me, I have had the privilege of knowing them my entire life.
So when someone in the group plans a ‘Ladies Who Brunch’ day, you go, because you don’t want to miss the conversations, good food, or completely inappropriate comments. Plus, it is nice to have a serious conversation about the millennial, baby boomer, and X generations, because as some of you may know, the millennials have a bad reputation in some of the eyes of older generations. When you are given the opportunity to step back and see the different point of views and soak in the amount of free advice given to you, it is like receiving free food when you are a broke ass college student. It is a good feeling, and there is a lot you can learn from the people around you if you choose to listen.
Here are 9 Tips from The Ladies Who Brunch:
1. Work hard. - Tip from The World Traveler.
You are not entitled to anything and you must work for your dreams because no one on this earth is here to hand you everything you want.
2. It is time to grow up, millennials. – Tip from The Genius.
College is much more than an extension of education. You should be learning how to pay for your things, talk to adults, live on your own and make good choices for yourself. How many of you still don’t know how to write a check or pay a bill?
3. Don’t ever settle. - Tip from The Fairy Godmother.
You can find out a lot of wisdom from someone who has been married for 43 years. Know your worth before you get into any serious relationship and don’t ever say that person is good enough for you. Remember the person you fall in love with might also be the parent of your kids one day if you chose that route. It is okay to be a little picky.
4. Don’t ever stop living because of your age. – Tip from The Queen Bee.
No matter how old you are, take care of yourself, dress up, go out, laugh a lot, adapt to change and you will age gracefully.
5. Buy A VW van and redo it if you get the chance. - Tip from The Soul Sister.
Double the fun to do a cross country trip in your newly '60s-inspired van. It will look way cooler than those creepy white vans with no windows.
6. Be a good friend. - Tip from The Woman Who Birthed Me.
The only person I know who gives people presents on her own birthday.
7. Most relationship issues stem from the way you were raised. – Tip from The Fashion Guru.
You grew up different from every single person you have and will ever walk by in your entire life. Respect their opinion, stick to your values and be open-minded to new perspectives and sometimes even change. Learn how to come together over your differences.
8. I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T, do you know what that means? – Tip from The O.G. Boss Lady.
Never be afraid to ask for help, but gosh darn it, figure it out on your own and you will shine like the bright, badass star you are.
9. Most of the time it is better to listen, then talk. – Tip from The Observer, a.k.a. Me.
Listening to all the smart and beautiful women around me has empowered me to become better. I do not want to fall into the millennial stereotypes of being entitled, not working hard, and having your parents figure everything out for you.
Even though the millennials have a pretty bad rep in the business world I know multiple young adults who kick ass at their job and push themselves to be the best. In fact, I make sure to surround myself with these people, hoping it will rub off on me. The truth is though there are a lot of young adults who don’t know how to pay rent, write a check or handle their shit on their own without their parents.
These pieces of advice are not extraordinary and are said by multiple people all over the globe, but our problem is that we hear and do not listen. We acknowledge but do not change. We talk but do not take action. Always remember, “You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it,” so go out into the great big world with your knew found perspective and live it up.
Hopefully a "Ladies Who Brunch" can become a thing within your family and friends as well because it is not something in the water, it is who you drink it with.
