Growing up the youngest of four, coming from a very successful family, the question that has been on my mind the past two years, is what should I do for a living? This a question that nearly every single person has asked themselves in their lifetime, and let me tell you, it is not an easy one to answer.
Today's society is so unbelievably competitive, and there is so much pressure on young adults to look perfect, act the right way, and be successful that it can be soul-crushing if you don't know what your purpose is in this life. But, let me tell you the first step to get on the right track to figure out what you should be doing, is to accept yourself for who you are, and what you're talents maybe, even if it isn't what society tells you they should be aka a lawyer, doctor, engineer, etc.
On my road to self-discovery, I have tried so many different things. I dropped out of college after one semester of nursing school, and took a semester off to go work at a law firm, then went to community college, and then to The Disney College Program, and along my way, I have found so many little gems in myself. My journey is uniquely mine. No one travels down the same path, and I certainly have not followed the path of anyone in my family, and that was always a burden on my shoulder, but within the recent year I have learned so much about myself, and the gifts I have to share with the world.
So here, is a twenty step guide to self acceptance.
1. The only person you need to compete with is yourself.
2. Do not let others judgements of you define you.
3. Embrace your talents.
4. Make quiet time for yourself and sit in silence, we all need to be comfortable in our own skin.
5. Do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone, even if it's scary it will be well worth it.
6. Be mindful. Enjoy the little things in life.
7. Speak up for yourself if you feel you are not being treated properly.
8. Be open to new experiences, you never know what you may find you love.
9. Meet new people, they have a lot to offer.
10. Listen to music and float with the song lyrics.
11. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are beautiful and deserve the world, because you do.
12. Learn from your mistakes.
13. Own your mistakes and admit when you messed up.
14. Do not linger in the past, it won't bring you any good.
15. Spend time with your parents, they have a lot of wisdom to pass down to you.
16. Exercise, and give your body some self-love.
17. Treat yourself to dinner or to those new pair of jeans because you deserve it.
18. Don't criticize yourself too much, you will never be younger or more beautiful than you are in this moment.
19. Don't allow yourself to be codependent on others for how you may feel. This is your life not theirs, and it's up to you to make the most of it, each and every day.
20. Appreciate your worth.
Get off social media, and go for a run, bike ride, or hang out with friends. One day you are going to be old, married with kids, and won't have time to figure out who you are, so go get out there and seize the day.