10 Tips To Start This ‘Adulting’ Thing

1. The more you make, the more you spend.

In theory this sounds simple but it took me years to realize. I saved more money when I was broke in graduate school than when I was making six figures. The cycle continues to grow the more you make. “Oh, I worked really hard. I deserve this” OMG- I just spent that much money – now I need to put in a few extra hours. Always live below your means no matter how well you are doing.

2. Love elephants.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with elephants. You could call them my happy place. I use the elephant emoji and give elephants cards to all my friends and family. This is my signature. Find some thing you love and embrace it – who cares what is it, but everyone deserves to have something that makes them consistently smile

3. Find your core.

I’m sure everyone has heard this a million times, but it doesn’t matter how big your family is or how many friends you have – you just need a solid few – your core. Which means they will call you out and support you at the same time. The truth is the more fake friends you have the more time you waste trying to see everyone.

4. Meet people where they are.

I’ve come to realize that people are who they are especially by their late 20s. Don’t try to change them. Embrace the differences and accept who they are. Everyone comes into your life for a reason. Try to figure out why.

5. Wanderlust.

I’ve been told before I have a bad case of wanderlust. Wanderlust is what keeps me going. I have constant lists: travel lists, restaurant lists, an events in my area list. If I need a change of pace, I simply look at the list and go!

6. Be nice.

You’ve heard it before- “If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say it at all”. Karma is real, it all comes back around. You don’t have time to waste cleaning up those messes.

7. Give a real gift.

I was the person who would scramble around the holidays and birthdays and buy a dumb candle or cookbook. I finally started buying gifts for people that matches their personality. I also started giving activities as gifts like taking my best friend to the play “Wicked”. It is true you feel so much better when you realize you made someone else genuinely happy

8. Organize.

Take a week get it done. What works for me is I have a work calendar and to do list in one binder and a social calendar and to do list in another. So yes, I am the girl who carries two binders around. It works for me and I finally stopped over booking myself. The Mint and Fitbit apps help to keep my fitness and finances in check.

9. Naps and coconut iced coffee.

These are my two loves. Never underestimate the power of a good nap and solid cup of coffee.

10. Own it.

I have to come to realize that I appreciate so much more when someone just says “Look, I messed up, how can I fix it?” It’s okay to mess up. You create more work by making excuses.