Hey everyone! It’s my birthday! Today I am turning, drum roll please…..26! As I sit here in bed, eating pancakes and turkey bacon, made by my boyfriend, I can’t help but think about how fast time flies. I am already 26! It feels like just I was playing handball in Elementary School, or watching the Varsity Football games in High School. Really, where does the time go?
My grandma sent me a birthday card that read, “You don’t need candles or a shining star to make your wishes come true, you just need your talents, your hopes, and your dreams — because you’re already a shining star!”
This year I am making 5 promises to myself.
- Be Happy: This year I want to do things things that make me 100% happy. I want to travel more, work less and explore.
- Don’t Compare Yourself to Others: This one is a huge one for me. As much as I say I don’t compare myself to others, I think in a way we all do. Being in the blogging industry I used to always check the growth of others. Me and a fellow blogger both reached 10,000 followers together and now she has 200,000 where as I have 70,000. I was obsessing over it for a long time, and started to wonder, why?! As long as I am posting things that I like and inspire me, my number of followers really shouldn’t matter. Everyone has their own timeline. Whether it is marriage, having kids, buying a home, finding your dream job or any other big moment. We should focus on working towards our goals at our own pace. Eventually, everything will fall into place at the right time.
- Bet on Yourself: “Yes I Can,” will be this years motto. I can do anything that I set my mind to. With hard work and dedication, anything can be accomplished. I am willing to work hard for what I want, and I am so excited to see what 26 has in store for me!
- Be the Best You: THIS ONE! I really want to be the best me that I can be. That means working out, eating healthier foods, learning, growing and putting 100% in everything that I do.
- Ask for What You Want: This one I really learned to start doing after I started blogging. It is important to know your worth and ask for what you want! Nine times out of 10, someone will negotiate or give you what you want!
In this post I am wearing:
Top: Chicwish off the shoulder ruffled top
Shoes: Alias Mae
Happiest birthday to you! Wow, 26 is so young and you have accomplished so much already! I love all your promises to yourself and they are definitely ones that we can all relate to and apply in our daily lives. I need to work on all of those items you mentioned and you are giving me inspiration to do so. You have so much in store for you and I admire you for your work ethic and doing what makes you happy. In the long run you will succeed and also live for yourself. Congrats on turning 26 and I hope you had an amazing weekend celebrating your beautiful self! xoxo, Christinehttp://dailykongfidence.com/
Happy 26 pretty girl!! I love all the promises you have set for yourself in the coming year. #2 is def something everyone need to be mindful about and remind themselves that no matter how glamorous things are on Instagram, and social medial, everyone has their struggle and we just don't see it. So comparing ourselves to just the surface doesn't do anyone good. You have such a great sense of style and I love coming to your Instafeed for inspo. Keep up the great work and I know 26 would be amazing.xo ShereePoshClassyMom.com
Happy 26th Tandya! And wow you have such a sweet grandma that sends you birthday cards! How I wish mine is still around because she would motivate me with her wise words too if she is still around ;(And I'm so glad you decided to make those 5 promises to yourself – comparing with others is a tough thing so yup I wanna make that promise to myself too ehe 🙂 Thanks for sharing beautiful and that necklace is so pretty on you!xx AldoraAldoraMuses.com
Happy 26th gorgeous! I turned 28 earlier this month and I feel the same! How has time flown by so quickly! It feel like just a breath ago that I was in high school! I love the card your grandmother sent you! Such wisdom! And so much wisdom coming from you as well! Being happy is something you have to work at I feel! You have to take care of yourself and sometimes that's hard when you're steady pursing your goals! I'm always checking my 'inventory.' When it comes to comparing yourself, you can't! ESPECIALLY in the blogging world because you don't know what connections the other person has or if they took any short cuts along the way! I try to keep my blinders on in a sense. The only thing I can improve on is me and what other people do makes no difference in my life OR the collaborations I get. My favorite is by far ask for what you want! I'm a go getter within reason but sometimes I'm very hesitant so I think that's something I definitely need to work on as well! You look gorgeous and I hope your birthday was incredible! Manda | http://EvocativelyChosen.com
Happy 26th birthday honey!! Sounds like you had a perfect start to your day and I am totally feeling your promises to yourself. I think the most important is to be happy and to not compare yourself because once you start accepting that you should live your life how you want it, you'll be the happiest person alive!! Totally loving your white OTS blouse btw – you look so pretty and not a day older than 20 ;)Helen xxhttp://helenchik.com
Happy 26th birthday beautiful!! I was having a similar nostalgic moment the other day and was thinking about how high school felt like just yesterday. These 5 promises are all great- I honestly think that comparison is the thief of joy and if we just concentrate on ourselves and our achievements we will be far happier :)Your outfit is super cute too- I adore this off-shoulder top :)Rachel xxhttp://www.thedailyluxe.net
HAPPY 26TH BIRTHDAY!! What a great list of things to accomplish this year – your first is my favourite but often the hardest. Enjoy life to the fullest, beautiful girl! Loving this white and denim look! The tan boots are a perfect finishing touch to the outfit. Looking great.J. x
Happy Birthday! Your grandma's card is seriously the sweetest thing ever. She's so right because you will always shine when you put your talents, hopes and dreams into it. It's so inspiring. I definitely agree with the comparing game. It's so easy to do especially when you're trying hard and I'm glad you'll be working towards not doing that. Also, your outfit is just the cutest! I'm so in love with that white top!xoxo,Maggie S.❤Clothestomidnight.com
Happy 26! I wish, I was 26 right now and would do all things that I wanted to do. Oh, times flies so quickly, it is quite sad. I adore how you styled this jeans with boots. Your photos are always so clean and pretty. Share with us next time how do you edit your photos. Btw, your grandma is really sweet, I love getting cards from my grandma! http://www.queenhorsfall.com/
Happy birthday babe! I sometime wish I could go back to 26 and do it all again. And always yes to being happy. Not everyone makes that choice. And never compare – we all have our own paths to take and if you're persistent, you'll get there too. And you're so right about asking – so much is out there just for the taking – and all you have to do is ask! XOhttp://www.lehoarder.com/
Happy Birthday hun! Wishing you all the best and hope all your wishes come true! Love your promises, they are simply points that are the meaning to a happy life.You look so pretty and fabulous, what a chic and feminine casual outfit. That off the shoulder is gorgeous, it is amazing how showing the shoulders has become one of the biggest trends during the season. It looks dope!Enjoy this time of your life to the fullest!Vanessa http://thefashionstatement.net
So you are younger than me, but I thought you were a lot younger than that! You age and carry your age so well! I am one who needs to get out the habit of comparing myself to others. I need to realize that all of us are different for a reason and I am unique! Thankfully I was made that way 🙂 That white off the shoulder blouse is lovely on you too with those Chelsea boots!http://www.thebeautybeau.com
Hey Darling,Hows you?Happiness is the Most Important:)Loved The Promises and Agree with each:)Happy Birthday Darling:)You are so Inspiring:)Happy Friday Love Open Kloset By Karina
Happy birthday dear! Wish you all the best! And what a wise promises you've made for yourself! I always compare myself to others and it really poisons my life. I have to make the same promise to myself. Because all we need is just to be a better version of ourselves. I love this outfit on you and especially your amazing jeans!http://lanaluu.com
Hey love!Fist of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTY! I love the words of your grandma – so wise ! Really love your promises for this year. I just have to make some to myself too. Mostly, I like the 3d : it’s always a good idea to be dedicated and hard working! xoxo
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! Love this post, I totally get your promise of don't compare yourself to others, in this industry it can be a difficult thing not to compare yourself to other and something that has taken me a long time to get over. Great post babe hope you had a fab birthday XOWP