HOW TO KNOW YOU'RE DOING JUST FINE IN YOUR TWENTIES

Jul 26, 2017


The past few weeks have been super rough on me. They've been full of constant reminders that I'm not where I wanted to be. They've been full of thoughts flooding in that I'm a failure and maybe I'm just not good enough. I've been reminded several times that my "job", as they say, of blogging means nothing to the real world and that my "income" is still claimed to be $0, because I don't get a "real" paycheck. 

It's been full of days where I'm not being taken seriously and flat out laughed at, because I've taken on blogging as a profession. I make money, I swear. But ya know what? Maybe I can't buy a house right now, and maybe I feel stuck in the apartment I live in, heck the whole dang town. But I do know that I'm surviving. I'm still alive, and I've made it through another day.

Today's post is a reminder to myself and hopefully to a lot of you reading that we're surviving this crazy life adventure together. It's not always easy, it's okay to cry, but in the end, we've got this.


One // You're alive and breathing

Sometimes this is the hardest one. When your world feels like it's crashing, it's honestly the last thing you want to be doing. But I'm here to remind you (and myself) that life is more precious than you know. It can be gone in the blink of an eye, so use your precious time wisely. Live it up and never ever give up.

Two // You have food to eat

Now I'm not talking about easy mac and peanut butter & jelly for all your meals. I mean, if that's what you want to eat, then go right ahead. But in the end, you have a fridge full of food. Your cabinets have snacks in them, and if you're lucky, you even have a never-ending supply of ice cream.

Three // You have a roof over your head

Whether it's a small apartment, your own home, heck, even your parents basement, you have a place to call home. It may not be your dream location, but it's still home.

Four // You can take a hot shower every day 

It's the simple things in life that we take for granted. Sometimes we forget that the little things like a hot shower are a luxury to some. When you're feeling stressed, take an extra five minutes and know you're doing just fine.

Five // You can afford to go shopping

For me, even just buying something for $5 off the clearance rack is an immediate pick-me-up. You don't have to spend a ton while shopping, but you know that if you were to see a cute top, you'd be able to buy it. Even if it is only $10 bucks on the Marshalls clearance rack.

Six // You have family and friends that love you

My support systems are what keep me going. I honestly don't have any idea where I would be without them. Never forget to reach out, because they will always be there for you when you need them the most.

Seven // You have a job that pays the bills

You may not have your dream job, and if you're super lucky, maybe you do, but in the end, you still have a job. You can pay your bills and you have just a little bit left over. Now that's really living in your 20's.

Eight // You have short-term & long-term goals

The past few weeks, I have found that physically writing out my goals, whether short-term or long-term, have really kept me going. You have something to live for; something to look forward to. Keep going and crush those goals.

Nine // You're saving money and/or paying off debt

It may not be a lot, maybe just $20 a week, but you're still saving something. You're able to put a little extra money every now and then towards your student loans, and man, you are doing great! Keep saving up, because good things are coming.

Ten // You know you're not alone

All too often in our 20's we feel so alone. But I'm here to remind you that you are so not alone. Literally everyone goes through a rough patch. Just remember that "at 23, JK Rowling was broke. Tina Fey was working at the Y.M.C.A., Oprah had just gotten fired from her first job as a TV reporter, and Walt Disney had declared bankruptcy." No dream is too big. You've just gotta keep on dreamin'.

I hope this post is encouraging to you. Just know that you're doing just fine. Big things are headed our way. 

Stay Classy. 
xx, 
Kristen

37 comments

  1. This is so true! For many people, this is truly the first time we're off on our own! Loved reading this!

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    1. Thank you so much, Payton! Our twenties are full of new adventures and TONS of life-lessons.

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  2. These are all great things that I can really relate to.... As someone who is also in there twenties, I totally get everything your saying! We need to step back and look at where we are and maybe stop focussing on what we don't have... We are only in our twenties we haven't even been out in the adult world for very long, so we can't expect everything right away!

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  3. As someone else who is pursuing blogging at least part time and still finding my footing, I definitely needed to read this today, Kristen! Gave me the boost I needed. :)
    Sometimes it's hard not to let the bad days get to you, especially when no one really understands what you're doing when you spend every day online, haha.
    Love seeing other women going after what they love doing - good luck with your blogging endeavors!

    TendrilWild.com

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    1. So glad this was encouraging to you, Bria! Good luck with your blog! <3

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  4. AnonymousJuly 26, 2017

    I can relate to a few of these! What a great post

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  5. I think I needed to read this, and I know a lot of people who would too. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Gabby. I hope this post was encouraging for you!

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  6. This was such a beautiful post Kristen and definitely a good reminder! Sometimes I get down on myself too that I'm not exactly where I want to be - but that's totally ok! We all just have to enjoy the journey :)

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    1. Thank you so much! <3 The journey is the best part--it may not seem like it in the moment, but we learn SO much more because of it.

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  7. These points that you list could be applicable at any age. I could see being grateful for all of those things including taking a hot shower at any age and knowing that you're doing just fine in life.

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  8. i'm sorry you've been going through it lately. I know how annoying it can be when people look down on blogging as a profession, but it makes me happy and pays the bills so whatever! I loved these reminders, especially about the roof and food. We have so much more than many in just those things alone!

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    1. Thanks Rachel. <3 I'm quickly learning that a lot of people don't understand blogging and how we've turned it into our profession, but that's on them, and we just have to keep pressing on.

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  9. I love this post! Sorry to hear you've had a rough couple of weeks, but you are still full of wisdom! Hopefully things get better for you!!

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  10. Loved reading this, I can relate so much to how you're feeling.

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    1. Thanks Caroline. I hope this post was encouraging to you! <3

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  11. It's so easy in your twenties to fall victim to comparing yourself to the people around you. I work with a girl who's 30 and is already a director with an MBA. Meanwhile, I'm 27, am in a job that I love, have moved up extremely quickly, got my master's degree at 23, and have nearly tripled my salary in the 3 years I've been working. But I still make myself feel bad because I probably won't be able to get where she is by age 30! Meanwhile, I've been married for 4 years, while she feels bad that she isn't in a serious relationship and is constantly comparing herself with other people in that department. It really never ends, no matter how far you get in life--and we all just need to find a way to love our own journey, and focus on improving ourselves and building relationships. I'd hate to see all of us waste our 20s--probably the most fun years of our lives--feeling like we're not doing it right!

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    1. Yes ah so true. Thank you so much for sharing that. Once we embrace our journey, we can really start living. <3

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  12. don't ever let anyone tell you that chasing your dreams isn't a job. You are doing good for someone who's starting out full time. It takes time to achieve goals but you will get there. I believe in you.

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    1. Thank you so much, Jasmine. That means so, so much. <3

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  13. I LOVE this!!! Your 20's can be really difficult - so remembering these things is crucial for your sanity! Love it!

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  14. Today was a seriously awful day. I really needed this to know that not everything is as bad as I feel like it is. Thank you.

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    1. Aw, I hope your week gets better. <3 I'm so glad this post was encouraging to you. You'll get through whatever you are going through, I just know it! Keep pressing on--you've got this!

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  15. I love this Kristen <3 I admire you so much. I think it is so awesome that you are pursuing your dream of blogging full time. I definitely want to follow in your footsteps so it gives me such encouragement to do so when I see others being bold like you!
    Keep it up. You are awesome and I know your blog is gonna be a success.

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    1. Thank you so much, Megan! That means SO much! I'm so glad that this post was encouraging to you! <3

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  16. Sorry that you have been going through a rough period. Some people look down on things they don't understand and I have learned that blogging is something a lot of people don't understand. But as long as it pays the bills and makes you happy I say don't listen to the outside voices. This list in such a good reminder of caring about the small things.

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    1. Thank you so much, Jenn. It's so true--I've just learned that I have to embrace my journey and know that I am happy doing what I'm doing and that's all that matters!

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  17. AnonymousJuly 27, 2017

    Thanks for posting. There are so many people on this planet that don't even have food to eat or a place to sleep. We have so much to be grateful for ��

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  18. These are all great points. It's really important to put a little perspective into your day-to-day. ;-)

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    1. Thanks so much, Catherine! And yes, for sure!

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  19. Definitely needed this today! I've had a rough past few days as well, so this is such a great reminder that everything is ok.

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