25 Things I’ve Learned in 25 Years (+ Gold Sequin Blazer Dress)

I’m fucking 25 years old!!!! Whaaaaat is life. Honestly, it feels right, not as scary as I know some people have found it to be, but damn, a quarter century of life is straight up insane.

I celebrated my birthday early over last weekend with all of my besties and had literally the best time: my sister’s boyfriend was in town so the two of them plus my boyfriend all did an escape room together (fun fact about myself, I absolutely LOVE escape rooms). Then, my two best girlfriends met us at my bf Alex’s place where we had margarita Jell-O shots, lots of beers, and I put on the sparkly gold sequin blazer dress of my dreams (my one from Zara is sold out but I found an almost identical one from ASOS!). The group all headed to Parlor pizza where we ordered a ton of za, a ton of beers, and then by 11:30 pm headed down the street to the Aviary– a cocktail experience bar by the Alinea group. We were there till about 3:30 am, drunk of our our minds and it was just the greatest. So silly, so fun.

The 26th was my actual birthday and I celebrated at one of my favorite restaurants in the city, Eden, with my family and Alex. I had such a killer meal, was so happy, and 25 has officially gone down as one of my favorite birthdays to date, if not my very most favorite.

Two years ago, I posted “23 Lessons I’ve Learned in 23 Years,” and it got really great feedback and has gone on to be one of my most popular and favorite posts. This year, I’ve taken another go at this list, reflecting on recent memories and experiences. The original list still stands— I would say that this one is just more relevant to the person I am today. There is a story behind each of these, not all of them easy ones to go through, but all that have helped shaped me into my little 25 year old self and have taught me a thing or two about life. They are broken down into Self, Career, and Love & Relationships and I hope you enjoy 🙂

Self

1. Where you take risks is where you grow. Fully embrace the uncomfortable periods of your life— let them be the ones that define you.

2. Engage your brain every day, whether through conversations with other people, reading, writing. Something that doesn’t involve a screen.

3. Find a workout that you actually like, a schedule that works, and stick to it. But, don’t beat yourself up if this ebbs and flows. Accept that there will be times when you just aren’t feeling it. Let the motivation and routine come back into your life naturally.

4. Life cannot be done without good girlfriends. Period.

5. Never stop trying new things.

6. Always seek whatever is of inspiration and let it fuel you.

7. Happiness isn’t a linear path you can achieve by checking things off a list.

8. Life is a series of cycles— journeys of self-discovery, or hardship, of success… They can present themselves in months, in years, and you’ll only be able to put a title and timeline on it when it’s over. And then, you’ll find yourself at the very beginning of the next one. Embrace the process and be in whatever that now is.

Career

9. Work on developing some grit and thick skin so the little things don’t rattle you.

10. Traveling for work will be as enjoyable as you make it to be.

11. Go to the damn networking events. And, when you’re there, get chatting. “Hi, I’m ______” is a great place to start. Connections are everything.

12. You are capable of more than you know. Never sell yourself short for any reason, whether it be your age, experience level, schooling, gender….

13. Work hard, find the co workers who are willing to jump in and offer teaching moments, write notes on everything, and whatever you’re not understanding will come together.

14. Always ask for feedback.

15. Before you ask a manager for help, exhaust all your methods: try to solve it yourself in every possible way you can think of so you don’t waste their time or come across as lazy.

Love & Relationships

16. Every love you experience will never be the same.

17. Dating apps are amazing and they can be whatever you want them to be.

18. You can never force something to be something that it is not, and you never should try to.

19. Figure out what your needs are in a relationship and make them known.

20. But learn where and when to compromise.

21. You can never be “in too deep.” You always have a choice, and you always have the right to choose you over anything.

22. Break ups gets easier. Wine and a reality tv shows are a good place to start.

23. You can’t love with fear.

24. You can’t be half in, half out with someone.

25. Don’t forget that dating is supposed to be FUN. If you’re in a relationship that is more stress than fun, examine your life choices girl.

Shop my outfit here: