2016; time to stop comparing ourselves to others

Sometimes I feel lost in a sea of Texans here at A&M. Truly, I am a small fish with big dreams in an even bigger pond. Especially in my classes relating to agriculture, it doesn't take long for me to feel discouraged just for a moment. Many of my peers come from agricultural backgrounds that are hard not to be envious of; exhibited and even won at major shows, family owns a huge livestock operation, extensive FFA opportunities, etc. Heck, last semester a girl in my animal science class competed for the title of Miss America in 2014. If that's not intimidating, I don't know what is.

I suppose it's human nature to think this way, but for me it's a constant struggle that needs to end. With the new year I made a few goals for myself. Not a "new years resolution" because I hate them and in case you haven't noticed people, they rarely stick! So I prefer to make goals. One of them being to stop comparing myself to others; academically, physically, aesthetically, etc.

Anyone want to take a guess at whether I achieved that goal yet? Uh obviously not, if you read the first paragraph... It's a nasty habit to break. But maybe just maybe it's like what they say about going to the gym; if you recruit a friend then you're not only obligated to do it for yourself, but you definitely can't let them down either. So who is with me on this one?

It's easy to compare and social media has become the ultimate culprit. With the help of social media, not only do we compare ourselves to people in our lives, but people we've never even met. How much fun is that? Ugh. It's 2016 and we need to cut the crap. I've said it before and I'll say it again, social media isn't a true representation because generally, we only post the good stuff. I know I sure don't post a selfie on a bad hair day!

With that being said, now who is actually with me?

This year, I'm not going to stop being an avid social media user (because I love it). I will however, be boycotting any jealousy or negative energy that comes my way when I come across a rockin' Instagram account. When I meet someone who has had some pretty awesome experiences in their life, instead of being jealous, I'm going to think about all the cool things I've done. And rather than putting myself down when the girl beside me in class is having a way better hair day than me, I'm going to compliment her! Then, of course, wake up a little earlier the next day to make sure bad hair doesn't happen two days in a row.

All kidding aside, to stop comparing myself to others in all aspects of life is a current goal of mine. If by reading this you thought, "hmm I do that too, way more than I ever realized and I need to stop it right now" make it your goal too and let's make it happen!

                                                    Just here in my natural Thursday habitat..


Thank for reading this lovelies and feel free to share as always! Have a happy Thursday and make this weekend unforgettable!

eighteen things i learned at 18

A week and one day ago, I turned nineteen. I left behind the "I'm an adult now" age of eighteen without a bit of remorse. Don't get me wrong, I loved 18; adventures, friendships, love, achievements, but also hardships and lessons. Just when you think you're finally an adult, there is much to learn.

EIGHTEEN THINGS I LEARNED AT 18

1.  I was not ready to be an adult. (I'm still not). Ugh, working, college, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. With freedom comes much responsibility.

2.  Whether you think you can make your own decisions or not, you still need your parents. Their wisdom, guidance, and even rules start to make sense at eighteen.

3.  Stop wishing away high school. It was fun and easy. Teachers actually cared and offered solid advice. Plus, when will you have the opportunity to spend that much time with your friends?
Spoiler alert: probably never

4.  College is expensive. I applied for scholarships like crazy! Who doesn't like free money?

5.  It's okay to be disappointed. Let downs build character and thicken skin.

6.  And don't worry about disappointing anyone but yourself. Your future is yours. Make the decision that is right for you.

7.  Contrary to what people say, you do not "have to go to your senior prom". I spent the majority of my year in a gown as the fair queen. So when it came to prom, I was over it.

8.  Committing to a college without ever being there, especially when it's 1,000+ miles away, is stressful. Colleges provide visits and tours for a reason.

9.  It's true what they say about after graduation. People you thought were better friends become distant, but such is life. And let's be honest, some classmates you'll be glad to never have to see again.

10.  The days between graduation and fall semester fly by too fast, but they're some of the best days and nights I can remember.

11.  Unfortunately, at eighteen I learned to grieve. My whole town did with the loss of two beautiful people; Liv and Mrs. Svonavec.

12.  However, I learned to appreciate life and how fragile it truly is.

13.  I found that it is scary, but okay to leave my hometown (and state). To quote the only Shakespeare I know, "there is a world elsewhere".

14.  Good friends will still be good friends no matter the distance.

15.  As soon as you leave, you'll need your mom more than ever. At 19 I'm still not sure how to do my own laundry or cook anything better than chicken (from a can) tacos.

16.  The first semester of freshman year is lonely. Friends like the ones you had in high school are hard to come by. Many friends come and go in the first semester, but that definitely is not a bad thing.

17.  Attending four concerts in a year, camping on the beach, and moving across the country taught me that there is no better time to make a change and truly live than when you are eighteen.

18.  I learned to love myself for who and what I am. That one thing is oh so important, friends.


I am still learning, every single day. But eighteen taught me more in 365 days than any other year in my life. Now, with a little pinch of adulthood under my belt, bring on nineteen!

social media vs. my self confidence

How could I let this happen? When did I let social media rob me blind; of my self confidence that is. 

You're probably thinking right now, is she serious? I am. I'll be as real as real gets with this one. I struggle with my self confidence, but for years I wouldn't have wanted a soul to know. I am not writing for a pitty party. You, your best friend, daughter, sister, or girlfriend just may feel the same as me... That's why I'm writing. So keep reading! 

Social media steals confidence right from the hands of naturally beautiful girls. Then, it turns right around and fuels its own fire. Every single day, I scroll, scroll, scroll, down through Instagram. Selfie after selfie appear. Most of the time the same girls post these selfies. I see their 100+ likes, comments with about ten fire emojis, and a few "you're so pretty" "nooo girl, you're so pretty" conversations. I keep on scrolling and soon enough find myself at the end of new posts, and often feel a slight pang of jealousy.

I think I'll post a selfie. I tell myself, the next time I feel really truly good about myself I will post one. I fix my hair, put on a cute outfit, and try to perfect my makeup. The girl in the mirror gives me the go ahead. I take a selfie, but I don't like it. So I take another and soon twenty more. Still none I like. None I feel are worthy of social media, not even with a fancy filter. The day passes and I feel confident while I'm out and about, but I still don't post the selfie. I won't post one tomorrow either, or the next day, or ever at this rate. 

On December 9th, I got pissed off. Not at anyone but myself. I had to give a speech that day, so I wanted to look extra nice. I woke up early to curl my hair, do my makeup, and pick out a nice outfit. I teased my hair and put on my fur vest (Texas style), snapped a quick selfie, and headed to class. Well, the vest only made it to the parking lot before it spent the day on the passengers seat of my car. When I got back to my car, saw my beloved fur vest in a ball on the seat, I was angry. I let just the mere thought of others' opinions talk me out of wearing an outfit I loved...

This war with myself had to end. My brain sang the lyrics to Miranda Lambert's song, Bathroom Sink, loud and clear as I gathered up the courage to post that selfie. 

The whole point is, I faked courage and confidence for far too long. My mom always said, "fake it 'til you make it", and damn it, it was my time to make it. But it's not just my time, it's your time too. 

So here's the deal:

1. Take care of yourself
2. Love who you are
3. Post the freaking selfie, if that's what will make you happy
4. Compliment others generously &
5. Don't believe all you see on social media  (everyone has access to makeup tutorials and photoshop these days)

It takes time and I'm working on it too. This blog post weighed on my mind for two weeks now... You may think, what a trivial post; maybe to you it is. However, as a millennial striving to brand myself and my blog with the help of social media, I can't let it win the battle over my self confidence. We need to stop comparing ourselves to others, stop letting likes determine our self worth, and stop allowing social media and the opinions of others control our happiness.

"Glamour at it's finest just means someone's hiding from their own reality in the mirror at their bathroom sink" - Miranda Lambert