Unapologetically Being Yourself and Finding Your Way

Finding yourself is hard, especially when you have people whispering in your ear and telling you what THEY think you should be/and do. Packing my stuff and moving to a new city was the best thing I've ever done. I've never been happier and I've never felt closer to my dreams. Here's what I've encountered and what I learned.

1. DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPIEST: if you want to rush into school do it, or if you want to go out to a bar on a monday at 11pm, go for it. If you feel like eating ice cream and takeout everyday then hell yes embrace it. But don't listen to other people. Sometimes doing what makes you happy is a big decision or sometimes its a series of little decisions.

2. CUT OUT EVERYONE NEGATIVE IN YOUR LIFE: I'm going to be the first to say that in high school I was a huge downer and I'm not surprised that my friends and I went separate ways (sorry guys, if you're reading this thanks for a great 4 years sorry it all went wrong). Having someone constantly saying negative crap in your ears gets exhausting and that's not what anyone needs in this life - we/especially me need uplifting people and friends to support and guide us.

3. DON'T TAKE SHIT FROM DUMB BOYS (OR GIRLS): I for one didn't go to New York to find love, I went to find myself, and somehow I think that's all that matters. Of course if I meet someone and I feel something I would be stupid to ignore it but then again I would also be stupid to keep watering a dead flower and I think we all get my point. To make matters short a good friend said to me, "You stopped putting up with his shit because you learned to love yourself" and I just want to thank that person for helping me realize that it wasn't the be-all-end-all, it was a new start for me.

4. MAKE A FASHION STATEMENT: This isn't high school, in New York you can wear whatever you want. If you want to wear heels everyday, you can, or if you want to wear striped pants and a paisley top, well you also can! In the words of one of the greatest men who ever lived, Bill Cunningham - "The best fashion show has definitely been on the street. Always has been, always will be". And hey, ever if your not in New York, who says you can't make your own fashion statement? Wear whatever the hell make you happy - don't dress for anyone but your damn self.

5. NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR BEING YOU: Never apologize for saying a comment you find relevant or making a joke that no one found funny. Don't change yourself for anyone because the people who want you wouldn't want you to change - they would be happy with you the way you are. Be you and be true to yourself because in this world thats one of the only things we have - a genuine sense of self.

In this city, I've learned so many things and I've met so many people. I want to dedicate this to someone (who should know who he is). I want to say thank you for making me feel bad about myself at one point and for making me feel like I wasn't good enough because I will never again let someone make me feel inferior because in fact, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent". Thank you for not believing in me and giving me the power to believe in myself.

Until next time!