With the summer coming to a close, I thought it would be fitting to talk about a few of the things that I learned over the past few months. There have been a lot of changes in my life over these past few months and I feel as though these changes have truly opened my eyes to a whole new world of positivity! Today I’m happy to share with you a few of the things that I learned this summer:

1. Money isn’t everything.

While having money often makes things easier, money isn’t everything. I consider myself to be a bit of a workaholic, so taking time off work not only makes me feel as though I’m letting down my employer, but it also creates added stress for me. But I made this past summer about me. When events came up last minute, I would do whatever I could to make sure I had the weekend off so that I could spend that time with my friends and I’m so happy I did. I have so many great memories from this past summer!

2. Be sure to make time for who and what matters most.

This kind of goes with point #1 for me. I often spend my weekends and evenings working not only my scheduled shifts at the restaurant, but I also pick up shifts when I’m able to. Sometimes I have to stop and think of the other things I could be doing and the people I could be spending that time with instead.

3. It’s okay to eliminate toxic people from my life.

Spending time with people who don’t benefit me in a positive way effects the way that I think about things, leaving me with a negative outlook on situations that I normally wouldn’t feel that way about. Not only is it okay to eliminate toxic people from my life, it’s one of the best things I’ve learned do for myself.

4. It’s okay to say, “no”.

I’m a yes person. I’m a people pleaser. I will do what’s asked of me, even if I don’t want to. I’ve learned that saying no is okay. It’s okay to say no to dinner and movie plans, it’s okay to say no to picking up extra shifts, and it’s okay to say no to the things I don’t enjoy doing. It’s my time and I have the ability to choose how I spend it and who I spend it with.

5. I thrive on ‘me time’.

I started my summer off with a trip to Cancun, Mexico with five of my girlfriends and it was EXACTLY what I needed. What’s funny is I didn’t realize how much I needed it until I was sitting on the beach without a care in the world. The week away from reality was what I needed to clear my head and get back on track. ‘Me time’ is vital for my focus and drive when it comes to my life and my work so I’ve made it a must!

6. It’s okay to be different.

I have piercings, I have tattoos, and at the beginning of this summer I decided to try out a hair tattoo for fun. So many of my friends said, “Why would you do that? I would never get that done”. My response usually started with, “That’s why I got it, it’s my hair”. Just because what you want to do might not be the ‘normal’ thing to do or the ‘status quo’, that’s okay. In fact, it’s what helps make you unique and sets you apart from the rest!

7. Take time to laugh at yourself.

If you don’t laugh at yourself, someone else will. Once you learn to love yourself and your flaws and the things about yourself that you can’t change, it makes you a whole new person. I laugh at myself every day. Whether it’s something I do or something I say, I’m the first to poke fun at myself!

8. Time goes by way too quickly to worry about the little things.

HOW is it September already? Does it not feel like this summer just started and now it’s over? Life is way too short to worry about the little bumps in the road that we stumble over with every day. I’ve learned to simply pick myself up, dust myself off and keep on moving forward.