"The woman you're becoming will cost you people, relationships, spaces, and material things. Choose her over everything." -Unknown

I stumbled across this quote as a text-post as I was scrolling through Tumblr one evening and it left a massive impact on me. Normally, quotes don't have a heavy effect on me. Sure, I have some printed and framed on my bedroom wall, but deep down, they're just words with no meaning behind them to me.

When I read this simple text-post on Tumblr, it felt like these words were a wave that crashed and washed over me. These were words actually delivered an impact, because of how true it was.

After graduating high school, a lot of things in your life will change. I know you've probably heard that a lot and you may even think that you're ready for it, but let me tell you that you're not. No one is ready for it. Not only are things in your life going to change, but you as a person are also going to change.

Once I graduated high school I went through a lot of changes in my life. Moving to a new state contributed to those changes. I grew up in the time span of two years.

I've matured into the person that I am today and I'm still growing. However, not a lot of people that I was friends with grew with me though.

Over the course of two years, I've lost friends. Friends that I thought I'd be with me for life, simply because they didn't agree with the person I was becoming. They were too stuck in their old ways to support my changes. I convinced myself that it was okay and that if they were truly good friends, they would support me. I had to stay focused on myself and not prioritize what others thought of me.

In the end, it all worked out for the better. I love who I am and who I am becoming. I know that I'm a strong and independent woman who has no place to go but up. That being said, it was a tough journey to get where I am. I have cut off those toxic people in my life who couldn't be supportive and I have made serious changes in my lifestyle such as career, education, and health.

My advice to all of you young ladies out there who are facing life changes is to take it head on and don't be afraid. You are going to get through so push forward. You will face criticism and negativity from others, but don't let their words hold any meaning to you. You are doing this for your future self. You are working towards a better life for her. Make her proud. xoxo April