Why You Need To Ditch Makeup Wipes ASAP

Makeup wipes are trash. Yes, literal trash!

I know, I know, you’re probably having a heart attack right now because you’ve been taught by Neutrogena and numerous beauty articles to use these puppies for convenience. Heck, they’ve probably also told you to keep a nice pack by your bedside for those nights you refuse to properly wash your face after a long day of work, or a night out partying with friends. But hear me out, because this product is not all it’s chalked up to be!

Reasons I don’t like them:

BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

While these money makers may be “convenient” to you, they surely aren’t towards our environment. Makeup wipes are not biodegradable, and millions of them end up piling up and overflowing in landfills, not to mention the ocean as well. Not cool! You can’t reuse them like plastic, so they end up just accumulating and taking up space for the next oh, say one hundred years? Not today, satan.

HARSH ON YOUR SKIN

How do you think a nice stack of moist tissues stay properly sterile? You guessed it- preservatives! Strong preservatives also mixed with alcohol are used to keep bacteria and other harmful nasties at bay in order for the product to reap its full potential. But guess what? They’re terrible for your skin! Most makeup wipes are formulated with fragrances, and harsh ingredients that you’re happily smearing on your face for the sake of sacrificing two minutes to use a proper cleanser and some water. This eventually leads to sensitized and irritated skin.

YOU’RE NOT ACTUALLY CLEANSING YOUR SKIN

Not only are makeup wipes bad for the environment, and hold harsh ingredients that have been proven to disrupt the natural skin’s barrier, but it’s not even taking everything off of your face. Say what?!? Yes, you’re essentially just smearing around your sebum, dirt, pollution, and makeup on your face without fully removing it. Ever notice how many wipes you have to use after a full day of makeup to finally feel “clean” again? Even after the usage of the wipes, when you swipe your toner on, you see even more makeup coming off! Yeah, it shouldn’t be like that. A proper double-cleanse is necessary for all you makeup lovers, and I PROMISE, you will see visible results in your skin once you start.

YOU’RE ACCELERATING AGING PROCESS

Don’t lie, I know full well you want to put your best skin forward and look twenty-eight when you’re really forty-three. Well my dears, the problem with makeup wipes is that you’re most likely rubbing and tugging the skin (some of you vigorously; which gives me PTSD ..seriously, stop that) and being way too rough when it comes to removing your makeup. You also need to be extra careful around your eye area- as that’s the most delicate part of the skin on the entire body!

Those are the main reasons why these just aren’t the best products despite how beautiful and radiant the model promoting them on TV or Youtube is. I can almost guarantee she has a good solid skincare routine, and doesn’t fully rely on these wipes at the end of the day.

I also found this informative video that confirms a lot of what I mentioned! For those who don’t know, Susan Yara is such a knowledgable beauty expert and YouTuber that I’ve been watching for quite some time now! You’ll thank me later when your skin becomes ten times healthier. Check it out!

If you want to learn more about the double-cleasne- which I highly recommend, I made a post a while back addressing that! Click here: https://remtique.life/2019/05/02/my-10-step-skincare-routine/

I owe it to my sister who introduced me to the joys of K-beauty. (Which stands for Korean beauty!) It changed my skin, and I know for a fact it will change yours too! As I always tell my clients, your skin is an investment. You’ll be wearing it until you die, so please take good care of it, and be oh so gentle. 🙂

Xo, Rachel

Affirming Your Future

What flows into my life, I let it.  What flows out of my life, I let it.

God, please be the director of all these things.

  We were all created for a purpose.  Something greater than your average 9-5 jobs or hustling.  If we were made to just pay bills and die then what’s the purpose?  The author of life is undoubtedly one of intention and strategy.  He watches our going out and coming in even when we forget to even thank Him for giving us another day to live and love.  

The two beginning sentences of this post are an affirmation that I’m going to start using every day because I don’t know about you, but I HATE letting go in general.  I’m not just talking about relationships, but anything that causes chain reactions of emotions ranging from small to great.  It’s one of my greatest challenges and literally feels like a knife in my chest when I think of all of the things that I need to let go of and place in God’s hands.  Why?  Because I don’t want to.  Ever felt like that?

When we don’t want to surrender something it could surely stem from the want to have just an ounce of control in our lives or the fact that we may very well have soul ties with things and people that we shouldn’t.  Not all soul ties are physical, but let me tell you they are real.  I guess that word could also resemble attachment.  If you attach your heart and soul to anything that isn’t constant or what God has for you, it can surely cripple you if things fall apart.  

I don’t know if any of you reading this can relate, but even letting go of words that were said several years ago can feel nearly impossible.  For instance, someone said something extremely hurtful and damaging to my heart and mind in 5th grade and sometimes I still find myself thinking about it (not often, but still!)  Isn’t that crazy? Whoever said, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” was on crack or something! I then have to give it to God and say, “Alright, that’s enough!”  You can’t let thoughts take precedence over your mind because as you think, so you become.  Life really can feel like a war sometimes and usually, the battlefield takes place inside of our minds before anywhere else.

That’s why we all need to seriously guard our hearts and heads.  After all, we’re all we have sometimes.  It can be extremely difficult to love people properly and be open to the things God has for us if our hearts become sick and we chain our souls to the things we can’t surrender or let go of.  It can also keep us from the blessings that are ahead and I absolutely believe the enemy knows it very well and uses it to get into our heads. Isn’t he the worst?! Like, go back to hell and stay there okay.

Anyway, the next time you find yourself in a battle thinking about everything you may have lost in the past or the mistakes upon mistakes you’ve made, remember that we serve a God who is greater than our yesterdays and has a plan for prosperity and hope.  It may not look anything like you thought or planned, but you know the saying, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” Love that!

Long story short, don’t attach your soul to anything but Him, and surely don’t put anything above. If you have done this (which I think all of us probably have at some point)  don’t worry! Can God still turn the ashes of our broken dreams and failed plans into beauty for His good and glory?  Absolutely!  Does He still speak and guide your life if you listen?  Absolutely! But there’s a price to pay if you want to see the fruit; you are going to have to let go, forgive, and give your life to Him completely.  If you stay in one place for too long either nothing will happen or if it’s urgent God will (metaphorically) send a huge fish like Jonah, and quite honestly who wants to go through that?!  No thank you!  I’ll take the route of least resistance. What about you?

Xo,

Rachel 

A Common Misconception About True Love

Ah, love. There’s nothing quite like having such raw emotion and compassion pumping through your veins that overflows and spills out of your heart and soul without your consent. It’s such a beautiful thing to cherish good friendships and relationships to the point where you wouldn’t want to cause a single bit of tension (which obviously makes sense!) But what would you do if someone you loved was headed down a path that you sense might not be in their best interest? That’s when things can really get tricky.

Not many of us enjoy negative confrontation with the people we’re close to which is completely understandable… especially if it’s towards someone you can’t emotionally afford to lose. Sometimes you may think in your head that it’s better to pick and choose your battles, but what if someday you end up losing the war because of all of the “little” battles you relinquished? They may have seemed little at first, but things can add up crazy fast (like the interest on student loans!) Never is it easy to say to a friend or lover, “Hey, you mean so much to me and I don’t want to lose you, but I’m afraid that what you’re doing or where you’re heading might not be so great for you.” Even writing that gave me a tiny sense of uneasiness and I’m not even talking to anyone!

True love should start to kick in around this point. It’s kind of like a fight or flight response, but the decision you’ll make has heavy outcomes either way. When you honestly care for someone, their life choices could very well have a big impact on you. So if you feel something isn’t right, there will be unmistakable indications that you can’t shut off. For instance, you may get that nudging feeling tugging at your heart just wishing to get out into a safe space that can be shared between you and that person. Of course, you want to be delicate and tactful; but remember that truth is one of the many facets of genuine love.

When I think of what it means to really be there for someone and love them, there’s a verse from the bible that really stops me in my tracks when I think about it. John 15:3 “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” …WHAT! That’s crazy. If you think about it, you don’t truly love someone to the depth that you were meant to until you are willing to sacrifice your own life for that person. I’d just like to throw out that I’m in no way trying to shove my beliefs or faith down anyone’s throat ever, I’m just sharing my heart hoping it can help anyone that sees it.

Bottom line, that’s what it’s all about. How genuine is your love for your friends and family? Are you willing to stand firm on your beliefs and values to the point where it could cause a temporary (or in some cases) permanent rift in your relationships? I know this generation is all about “You do you, boo!” and I personally can’t stand that mentality because it simply shows that you don’t care, and that’s not cute. Love is not about accepting everything and saying, “Well, if it makes you happy…” it’s about saying, “I care for you way too much to sit idly by and watch you go down a dark path without sharing my heart with you because I want the best for you.”

Xo, Rachel

What Does Peace Feel Like? How Do We Find It?

Well, I can certainly tell you what It’s not! Peace is not being brashly serenaded by all the the violence and war that constantly sweeps the covers of newspapers and becomes one of the main focal points in politics. Have you ever turned on the news and found a smile on your face shortly after? If so, I’d love to know what channel you’re watching!

We’re constantly being updated on current events whether we ask for it or not. Whether it be social media, friends, or family. You just can’t get away from this conundrum of a world we live in. It can be such a dark, morose, lonely place that’s desperately craving for something with substance. Anything to hold onto besides the dreams and aspirations of broken and hurting people. I believe this world needs many things, but we most definitely need peace. But how do we get there? If you’re reading this right now, I hope that somehow you experience even a speckle of peace knowing that you matter, even if it’s coming from a stranger like me.

If you had to think of three words to describe peace, what would they be? Personally, I think of being still. Not thinking about the mistakes I’ve made and will make tomorrow, yesterday, or even ten years ago. Sometimes you have to dig deep inside of yourself to remember all of the goodness and treasured times you’ve had on this earth so far. It’s not always easy, but it could encourage and promote peace in your soul. Another one for me would be music. God, I could listen for hours (and I do!) because there’s something about connecting with art that someone else created; that’s such a beautiful thing. Lastly, my third would be my faith. Where would we be if we had nothing to live for? Who would we be? What would be the point of living at all?

The reason I’m writing about this today is because I’ve recently discovered that the more days that are added to our lives, the harder it is to reach out and rekindle that childlike faith that we may have had once for a better world. A world where peace and love transcend any negative feeling or reality no matter what the circumstance. I know that’s a long shot, but even something as simple as entertaining the idea sounds peaceful to me. I hope you find it today in your heart, however it comes through for you.

Hi guys! It’s been such a long time since I’ve written on this blog, and it feels so good to be back! It’s been heavy on my mind and I feel super lead to start writing again, and who am I to neglect a passion anyway? Life sure has a way of seamlessly pulling you in so many different directions whether it be physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually; but alas, sometimes we come back to the things we can’t stop thinking about. Writing is definitely one of my things! 🙂

Xo, Rachel

5 Things You Should Know About Authors

A Writer's Path

by Ashlee McNicol

Being a writer is no easy feat. You stay up late, wake up early, and repeat. You spend hours and hours creating fantasy worlds with characters that you love like your family, watching them experience miracles just as easily as pain, and grow like your own kids.

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Keeping Your Dreams Alive

“Oh great, another motivational message or story of inspiration about how I shouldn’t give up and keep on fighting” blah blah blah.

I can already hear those thoughts as they scroll along to find titles like these jumping out at them involuntarily and threatening their pessimism. Hey, I know it’s not always easy to keep pressing towards a goal that feels mostly an uphill battle. Uncertainty can be like walking on a tightrope with wobbly legs just to keep your sanity. A never ending roller coaster of highs, lows, twists, and turns. Just try your best not to throw up!.. or throw in the towel.

Do you know what victory feels like? Do you know that the life you crave and desire is possible? Just the idea alone of having hopes and dreams tucked away so safety in your heart that eventually come to fruition is unbelievable! It feels like magic. It’s even more fulfilling when you’ve written them down and dated them somewhere. I actually encourage it! I look at it as an act of pure faith because even when you can’t see it, you’re preparing for it. Start a journal, mood-board, pinterest, or whatever style that fits you best to articulate what you want. Anything is possible with time and a heart that refuses to quit.

knowing who you are and what you want is half the battle. If you don’t know the goal you’re trying to reach, how are you supposed to know where to start? It’s completely normal to question your dreams. Where did they come from? How long have the roots been growing inside of my heart? Am I willing to do everything in my power to feed it, or rip it out and cut it loose? That might be a little painful, so make sure you aren’t trying to uproot something that might be destined for you.

I totally believe that God plants dreams and desires in our hearts for a strategic purpose that we may not always see or understand at first. Take the time to look inside the deepest depths of your soul and ask for wisdom on what you need to feed, and what you need to starve. If anything isn’t of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, or self-control then I would question yourself if you want to continue growing it. The last thing you want are the negative attributes showing up in your life.

Battlefields aren’t always physical. One of the biggest battlefields is right between your ears. Pay attention to your thoughts. Patterns. The way you speak to others and yourself! Some of the giant dream killers can sneak up on you in moments of pain and weakness. The thoughts that tell you, “It isn’t possible. It hasn’t been done before! You won’t make it, so you might as well just give up now.” Well I’m here to tell you that those thoughts are total BS. Total lies that are used time and time again that we often give way too much power to. The only one stopping you at most times, is you!

Keeping your dreams alive isn’t always going to be easy like a Sunday morning; however I can tell you that the perseverance and character you’ll build through the trying times will significantly outweigh any pain you had to go through in order to get there. Keep on fighting, because I promise you will make it.

~Xo, Rachel.

The Thing I Learned About Free Will

“Why do bad things happen?” Asked little Bobby. “Well son, it’s because of free will.” Said his pa.

Of course his name is Bobby. I swear, every example of logic puzzles or solving equations starts with a boy named Bobby. While I concur with his dad, there’s much more to life than just, “Bad things happen because of free will, and that’s just how it is.” What then? Is that all there is? I crave more clarity than that! Being a protagonist here, I believe that there’s a brighter side to free will than what often gets displayed in stories or life events. Mainly because of my own faith.

Do misfortunes and tragic events happen? Every single day. Is that the end all be all of a tragic tale? Not if you don’t want it to be. Life isn’t always fair, and that’s just the sad reality that is our world. But what if I told you there’s more to the story? Your story. Perhaps something down the road that you can’t see yet? A spark, a light, maybe even.. dare I say hope? A dangerous little spark that ignites new possibilities. It’s called turning what was meant for evil into something good. It’s surely possible, but it’s not usually a light and easy process. Nothing that good ever is, amirite?

“Okay, but you don’t get it Rachel. If there is a God in heaven who loved me, then why the hell would he allow this to happen to me? I’m a good person. I don’t deserve this!” Trust me, I’ve asked God the same exact question as well word for word, and less politely to boot! My version of “asking” would be crying and yelling at Him. Heck, there was even a time that I told him I wanted nothing to do with my faith anymore, but that didn’t stop His relentless love for me. Nothing can ever separate us from his love. How beautiful, right?!

I ain’t a perfect Christian, I’m a real person. That’s why I try to remind myself to thank Him for the grace and love he so freely gives all of us. That’s one of the main reasons I’m writing about this. My heart is totally connected to the mission of helping people because let’s be real; all of us need help. The funny thing is, it’s usually the believers that need the most help! Don’t write me an angry email, ya’ll know it’s true.

The truth is I don’t have all of the answers for your hardships, and that sucks. You might not find an answer for a long time, and that really sucks! All I can tell you is that God is more than able to bring good out of any hardship or unbearable grievance you face. The caveat here is trust, and it’s not easy. However, it is refreshing to believe that the God who can raise the dead and save the lost can surely bring light into the darkness of our missteps and misfortunes.

We don’t know when, where, or how (unless He reveals it to you, but that’s for another day.) We just need to hold on and cling to the truth that Jesus loves us and no doubt still has a plan regardless of how it may look. He is Abba. The way maker. The bread of life. The lifter of our heads. The one who knit you in your mother’s womb. The one who has the hairs on your head numbered. Don’t you believe you’re of any value to Him? You’re worth dying for.

All you need to know is that you never walk alone. The constant battle for your soul that most can’t see is fierce, but so is His love for you. Keep fighting. You might not have your answers right now, and it’s okay to be angry. If anything, be angry at sin. Be angry with the enemy because he wants you to question God and His love for you.

You may hear something along the lines of, “He’s not even real, do you see him working right now?” “Well, you never really heard Him anyway.” “What kind of God would put you through all of that?” “You’re not smart, you can’t do this.” Fill in the blank. Those are all lies from hell, and it’s time for you to stand up and step into the calling you feel in your heart and soul. You are more than able to do all that you’re destined to do through Jesus who will totally give you strength. So I just want to leave you with that. Whatever you face, remember that you are more than a conquerer.

~Xo, Rachel.

The Girl On The Train

It was a breezy Sunday morning. A rain storm welcomed the blinding sun that was trying at best to peek through the iridescent clouds. The sky painted a colorful picture with hues of pinks and blues. It was stunning after a treacherous storm as a reminder that dark skies and loud booming can actually serve as an indication that beauty lies ahead, and adversity is for a greater purpose. However, not everyone sees it that way. God knows she didn’t.

“What is it?”  He asked. His eyes fixed on her in a silent cry of desperation and hope for rekindling what could have been.  Staring blankly out of the window of a moving train, she didn’t physically acknowledge him, but his question pierced her heart like a dagger.  She heard him loud and clear. The red stain from her lips gave the charcoal tea cup she grasped in her hand some personality.

Deliberately getting lost in the trees and rivers as they were passing through as if to deter him.  She needed something, anything just to avoid answering his question, as if it wouldn’t come up again. “Look at me.” He demanded. “I can’t. Not right now.” She darted back, still avoiding eye contact.  

It had never been easy for her to hide things from him, let alone anybody.  Eventually convincing herself that this will soon be nothing but a memory, a bad nightmare, all forgotten; blind to the fact that past events have a funny way of repeating themselves.   Perhaps not right away, but the good Lord does have an interesting sense of humor and sometimes does bring us back to what we ran so far from, left unresolved, and maybe even feared the most.  

He walked through the divider straight to the second sleeping car just to collect his thoughts.  Deep down he knew the truth. A certain truth he avoided confronting at all costs. He knew where this was headed.  As the famous quote says, “Rome was not built in a day”, well.. neither was a broken relationship torn down. That doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a gradual fade.  Sometimes you’re not even aware that it’s happening, because sometimes people are really good at hiding!

She thought she dealt with it, only for this to resurface yet again in such an unforgiving way.  It feels like a tsunami with no warning signs or time to take cover, and you’re lucky if you can stand on your own two feet again.  Over and over again, the waves crash and take you under. Each time you stand again you gain new strength, but it still hurts. The pain of a lost love.

Deep breaths, mind pulsing, heart racing.  All she could do to extract herself from the pain was to use any distraction as her aid, her saving grace; which was her involvement with him. He was an honest man.  A good man. A great companion. He was a faithful man, but he was not who she truly loved.  

“How did we get here?”  A repetitive dialogue between her and herself that wouldn’t quit.   She knew that love was a choice, not some butterflies or endless feeling of bliss you get. She was also wise enough to know that you can’t let anything hold you back from living your life, but she also felt trapped because there was much conflict inside of her.  “What does it all mean? Is there a bigger plan? A brighter picture ahead different from what I see now?” She kept asking, desperate for an answer.

The difficult part was accepting her truth. She said goodbye to something she knew in her bones wasn’t right, but couldn’t understand why.  He was the calm after a rainstorm. A soothing balm for her broken heart. But that was all. She craved something more, and she knew it existed because she felt it once. Almost like divine alignment.

In preparation for the plans that lie ahead, it required her to kiss the present goodbye, because it wasn’t meant to follow her into the future.  It was one of the hardest decisions that’s ever been made, but she knew it’s what needed to be done despite what others thought or said. She wanted to feel something again.

She learned a lot through being with him and has no regret.  The memories will last forever, and that’s what makes it beautiful. Some master plan will continuously be revealed with each step of faith she takes.  Throughout every season she’ll endure, a passage of time shines like a beacon of light.  A hope for the love she so craves and prays for.

She doesn’t always know where she’s going, but has enough faith to get through the darkest of nights. Every storm that rears its ugly head won’t break her. The coldest morning that awakens her will be nothing but inspiration for her to keep going because of the fire that burns inside. She knows that beauty lies ahead, even when she can’t see it.

~Xo, Rachel.

When I Realized That I’m Selfish

You know what can bring the absolute worst out of you? Relationships. Now I’m not just talking about dating here, I mean ALL kinds of relationships. Every dynamic possible; which there are many. What is it that requires all of them to flourish and function properly? Work. Relationships take work! However I will point out, It’s also the little things that can bring you one step closer to betterment, or two steps further from it!

Little things. Ah, the little things! Little things such as telling them how much you love and appreciate them for who they are. Taking out the trash. Doing the dishes or laundry so they can just come home to a clean house and relax.

Okay let’s be real.. I’m nowhere near always doing what I just described! If you are, then more power to you! I’ve learned that when you truly love someone, you’ll want to do everything in your power to somehow contribute and make their life ten times better and easier. You don’t just focus on your needs and wants anymore, but you take them and their needs into consideration as well.

Okay, story time! It was a gloomy afternoon, and I had just got off from work. I usually arrive home a couple hours before my mom. We’re like best friends, but still have the mother/daughter dynamic. I love her so much. Side note; I know that finding your own place can be a process, but if you’re over eighteen and living with anyone in your family, monthly payments should be a no-brainer! Just felt the need to throw that out there. (Don’t hate me lol.)

I hung up my keys, dropped my workbag on the kitchen chair, and hightailed it to the bathroom. I did my skincare routine, drew a hot bath, lit a few candles, and eased myself into the tub. Following that I cleaned up around the house a bit, and started to make dinner. The smell of zesty chicken parmesan permeated throughout the house; or whatever I had that night- who knows.

I made enough for just me, and gleefully walked into the living room to eat and watch Netflix. Typical American, huh? About thirty minutes later the back door creaked open, and the chill from the cold air outside swept throughout the kitchen. The sound of heels clomping across the echoing floor caused me to get up to greet her. As I made my way into the kitchen she paused, looked at the empty plate where my dinner used to be, and then shot a glance at me. The look she gave me was so cold, it could have shattered ice. “Thanks for making dinner for me, Rach.”

I couldn’t believe it, she was fluent in sarcasm! My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach, because I had realized that what I did (or didn’t do in this case) was a total act of selfishness. I hadn’t even thought to make dinner for her! After a long day of work she had, why hadn’t I thought of it? Am I only thinking of myself? In what other areas of my life could I be affecting people like this and not even knowing it? Scary stuff, man.

My mind began to go one hundred miles per hour trying to figure out why I didn’t think of anyone else at the moment! I apologized, and am now aware that I just honestly don’t think sometimes. It doesn’t come out of resentment or the wanting to be selfish, I just honestly don’t think sometimes! I catch myself doing it still, so I’m working on it. I’m far from perfect, but I’m grateful in hindsight for this situation, because if it hadn’t occurred, I’d be walking around with bloody blinders on! Did you hear that last part with a British accent too? Just me?

Anyway, I hope this little story can teach you something. Are there areas in your life where you tend to be a bit selfish? Well the first step is to acknowledge it, and the second is to keep working on yourself! Let’s remember that it’s not all about us, and happiness is definitely a team effort.

~Xo, Rachel.

21 Life Lessons I’ve Learned

1. Life is not a race!

Go at your own pace. Everyone’s path is different, and there is no set time that you ought to to have a solid career, partner, or anything that others pressure you about.

2. Looks definitely aren’t everything.

A happy disposition on the outside doesn’t mean a happy one on the inside.

3. Staying true to your word will benefit you.

Isn’t it crazy how ten years built on the foundation of trust can be shaken and uprooted by one act or misdemeanor? Going back on your word or being flaky with people isn’t a good reputation.

4. If you like them, for the love of God just tell them!

Let me just say that regret from not saying something will last a lot longer than the pain of rejection. You’ve nothing to lose, dear.

5. As a woman it’s okay to make the first move, but do not chase.

Hey, guess what? It’s the twenty first century! Women can totally let a dude know she’s into him, but chasing isn’t ideal. It feels good being pursued and wanted, but it’s also a two-way street.

6. Life is way too short to stay mad at someone.

Welcome to the jungle peeps, but it’s definitely not all fun and games! When it comes to anger, just live and let die. Tainted love happens, but whatever you do, don’t stop believing. If you didn’t notice, I’m heavily influenced by 70’s and 80’s music.

7. 70’s and 80’s (oldies) music will NEVER go out of style!

I totally didn’t plan this segue, but alas! Here it is. This music is just the best I’ve ever heard, I mean who doesn’t love jammin’ out to livin’ on a prayer?

8. Beneath the surface, we don’t have it all figured out.

And we never will! Don’t care how old you are, because no matter how many years pass by you will never have everything totally figured out. Sorry!

9. Don’t ever settle for anything! ..Like ever.

Good things take time, so spare yourself some heartache and resist to accept less than you deserve! Whether it’s out of loneliness, or fear that you won’t get it- It’s just not true!

10. Spend more time with your family as you get older.

Tomorrow is promised to no one. If you have family that loves you and wants the best for you, stay in touch! You never know the last time you could see them. Make it all count and try not to leave anything angry or unresolved.

11. It’s okay to lose “friends.“

True, genuine friendship is hard to find as you get older. You can talk to as many people as you want, but you can only trust few, and that’s okay! More often than not, very few will be your true friends.

12. You can say no without explaining yourself.

Last time I checked, “No.” is a complete sentence! It’s simply a response that you’re fully entitled to. You don’t always have to explain your reasoning, sometimes it just is what it is.

13. The ocean taught me to be still.

While the ocean is definitely not still, there’s a sense of peace I get every time from being near it. Majestic waves and colorful skies cause me to realize that life is beautiful, and we shouldn’t take it for granted. We should cherish all of it.

14. Set your own boundaries before someone sets them for you!

This applies more so towards dating, but the same rules apply in any type of relationship! Do you have certain boundaries you wanna stick to? Make them known and make sure you’re both on the same page.

15. There is no time limit for an emotional wound.

If something hurts, it hurts. Not all wounds are superficial, some cut real deep. While time does heal, it also gives us a chance to reflect and remember. Give yourself some grace, and heal at your own pace.

16. No matter what you do, God will always take you back.

I experienced this first hand when I shut God out of my life. I knew I needed Him when I became a different person. The only way back was through Him. He will always love you, no matter what you do or how far you run!

17. Having a go-with-the-flow mentality leads to crazy adventures!

I can’t tell you how many stories I have simply because I went with the flow. Some things aren’t meant to be planned, scheduled, or analyzed. Sometimes you just need to let go and just have fun!

18. You cannot force a connection, either it’s there or it isn’t.

Now this may just be me, but I’ve found this to be very accurate! I think it happens unexpectedly when a spark of familiarity between you and another person recognizes each other. Go with your gut, because it’s probably right!

19. Taking good care of your body is a must!

Sleep, exercise, pamper, repeat! If only life were that simple, right?! Yes, life gets crazy, but you must make it a point to set time aside to recharge and show love to yourself by treating your body as a temple. I mean, you’ll be in it for the rest of your life so at least make it the best it can be, alright?

20. Learn to let go.

You know that old saying if you love something let it go? It’s true my dears! By releasing everything that you’re holding onto, you’re giving God time and space to do what He wants to do in your life. Learn to trust, and believe that what’s meant to be will be. Focus on you in the meantime.

21. Making Jesus the center of my life changes everything.

To give up anger for peace, loss for love, hurt for healing, and fear for faith; I needed to make God the center of my life. I notice a huge difference when he’s not in the center and when he is.