April showers bring May flowers! -

It also brings the birth of someone pretty cool…. me! ha.

Birthday in full effect starting.. now!

I came into this world on April 16th 1996 at 7:35pm, which was a Thursday! & yes, I am an Aries!

(Cause there is obv. no better sign than us!)

I am going to be 23 years old this month. Yikes!

I sound super dramatic, I know.

23 -

I’m practically a new born still..

but what’s that movie called again?

13 going on 30?

Yea, similar concept….

Kinda like 23 going on 46..

with out the children.

(I can’t even imagine life with baby aliens, gosh thats scary..)

I have officially come to terms that 23 is the new 21! & I am pretty fuckin excited about it!

The years prior to turning 23 tend to be a bit weird. There are lots of changes, lots of unknown circumstances, and a lot of confusing experiences, but all that I have overcome and all that I have learned has molded me into who I really am, and this new found independency feels pretty damn good. These past two years have been a constant battle between who I am and who everyone else expects me to be. I didn’t know much about the things I liked and disliked, I outgrew people and flourished with new ones - I took the time to really learn about myself (still so much to learn). Any who, I’m obviously excited about this milestone. Each new year adds on a new level of maturity, growth and self realization.

I never really understood the people who despised their day of birth - it is the day you were given the opportunity to be and do it all.

It is up to you to create your destiny.

T w e n t y

T h r e e

What’s that called?

#Jordanyear

I am a continuous evolution of fire and my flames will continue to light the path of my growth.

23 Things I have learned before 23 -

Simple.

1. Be you. Do you. For you. The rest will follow. - Side note: I change this lesson from I have learned to I am learning as putting myself first is still something I am working on. Taking a look back, my growth has turned into something I sometimes don’t even want to believe in because I am astonished at the person I have become (this is positive guys! I have done so much growing, but-) Weird to say, I sometimes feel bad for being so proud of myself - fuck that right? If it’s not me cheering myself on, whose it going to be? Loving myself has been the greatest challenge of all.

2. It is okay to have a big heart. It is also okay to say no. - Note to self & all of you, stop being a push over. Whether it be with friends, family or co workers - if you are ever put in an uncomfortable situation you have the right, the will, the power to say no. Learn to separate morality and feelings - it will help you in the long run.

3. Money will. not. give. you. ultimate. happiness. (Temporarily, maybe.) but it is a necessity. - I love anything that requires shmoney.. *a lot of it... but I ain’t spoiled - I work hard! Having someone tell you to do what you love needs to come with a warning label that says “Do what you love, at your own risk.” Do I wish I was doing what I love, while making tons of money - so the stress and anxiety of basically surviving didn’t exist, sure.. but unless I go viral for throwing cheese on my nieces head, working hard toward future goals is tougher than it may seem and its no better when what you love doesn’t pay the bills (at least as of yet.) I sound a bit morbid I know - don’t get me wrong, hu$tle is my middle name and I’ve been grinding since the day I got my working papers (16 years old ahhh Aeropostale Times Square was my first gig, lolol) - but this blog is prime example of what it is I truly love to do.. It’s harder on some days to remember that my desires and passions come first when work and school takes control of my entire life - but keep the faith, save your money and work hard. Trust me when I say there is enough wealth to go around for everybody. If I’m eating, we all eating.

4. With that being said … manage your money now - the best way you can. invest, save, invest, save. It was important for me to list this as two things I have learned and am continuing to learn because growth comes with responsibility, and with that comes mula. Everything will cost you, spend what you earn wisely.

5. “Doing your best” does not mean work yourself to death, nor does it mean to strive for what the best may be through the eyes of others - The only view on life that is the most important is the one that you are creating, envisioning & bringing to life for your self.

6. Speaking of morbid - let me hit you with a little bit more truth. None of us are getting out of here alive, we know this. Stop treating yourself like an after thought. Be healthy, eat what you want, walk in the sunshine, love life, let life love you. Say your truth always, be free and always be you. Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. There is absolutely no time for anything else… I am a dork. I love to laugh, I love to be at peace and I love to be loved! I love embracing life and being around things that make me feel good, all of us should embrace that feeling.

7. Do not live passively, live passionately. Don’t ever be afraid to feel.

8. The behavior you thought was normal as a child is okay to outgrow. It won’t be until I am at least 25 years old where I will be somewhat deprogrammed from the toxic behavior I was surrounded by as a child, but the road to recovery feels great.. Each new day is a new day I am creating for a future me.. more of me > less of them. The smell of independency, peace & finding the deepest parts of my hidden treasure of a soul feels.. pretty fuckin amazing.

9. Do not miss out on the chance to tell your parents, your closest friends, siblings, loved ones etc. that you love, appreciate & care for them. We constantly miss out on the opportunity to tell people how they really make us feel, our time is limited - tomorrow is never promised, appreciate and love in the present day. Remind people of things like - the world is a better place with their soul in it, or remind an old friend that you no longer speak on a regular with that you still pray for them every evening. These things matter, making others feel good and appreciated is just as important as making yourself feel the same.

10. You can not compete where you do not compare - & all of us can never compare to one another. We are all unique, special and brilliant in our own ways - only competition you should be having is with the person you were yesterday.

11. It may be a slow process, but quitting won’t speed it up.

12. It is okay to call yourself out on shit in order to grow. Life is about growth. Life is also about being straight up and taking account for whatever energy, behavior and choices are being made. Sometimes the toxic person in the situation is your self - it takes real strength and power to come to a realization and make a change.

13. Follow directions, ask questions, be present in the moment. Its time we drop the know it all act because well, we will never really know it all.

14. Be Fearless. I have learned that self confidence is one of my best traits - that negative voice in my head telling me that I can’t do it - is not real & it is in a current transition.. going from a self doubting, negative, anxiety filled conscious to a clear minded, bad ass, go gettin believer!

15. Not everyone will have the same heart as you. Not everyone will love like you. Not everyone will like you. Go through life being your most purest, unbothered self.

16. A real relationship is built on vulnerability. I know, we hear the word vulnerability and the thought of it scares the shit out of us. It doesn't matter if it's a friendship, a significant other, or even a business connection, the best exchanges are rooted in some level of vulnerability. At the end of the day, we're all exploring life together.

17. Do things for other people & expect nothing in return. Selfless service - it will make you feel like a better person, try it.

18. Your body is your temple. Treat it well. —- Understand that lack of sleep is not a trophy. Too much sugar/liquor consumption will not make you look or feel your best. Binge eating will not take away whatever pain you may feel. Water is your best friend & being kind to yourself is the ultimate healer of all things.

19. Everything is temporary. Appreciate the good while it’s still there & don’t get caught up in the storm when the going gets tough.

20. Don’t hold grudges - move on. Whatever happened is in the past - leave it there.

21. Spend time alone. Spend time with people. Spend time doing whatever it is that you want to do, but never spend time dwelling on the fears, the what ifs or the could have beens.

22. Be thankful. All ways, always. Nothing in this life is a guarantee. Be thankful for what is given and for what is to come.

23. Never stop looking for something better. Don’t you ever settle for less than what you deserve. Educate yourself & others and most of all - somehow, someway shit just works out —- stop worrying.

Honestly, the list can go on forever - this journey of life is truly something amazing, no matter the year of age.

If there is anything I want you all to take away from this, it is to just live. Be you and live.

Life is so beautiful, with each new year comes change, embrace it.

Happy (almost) Birthday to me

&

to all of my fellow Aries/April babies!

xo

Krystle Carrissa

Please enjoy a little stroll down memory lane, lol -