When I was about nine years old, I was skimming through the TV channels to find Nickelodeon. In doing so, I stumbled upon the Style Network channel. Back in the late ’90s and early ’00s the Style Network actually aired shows about fashion and runway shows, so that day there was a fall runway show playing from the previous year. I was immediately entranced by the extravagant outfits, makeup and shoes that sashayed across my TV screen. Soon after watching that runway show, I made the executive decision that I wanted to work in fashion when I grew up.
I’ve never been the type of person to dwell about the past. You can’t change history, you can only make it. That’s been my mantra for a very long time. Ever since I decided what I wanted to do with my life, I’ve only thought about my future and my long-term goals. I’m fortunate to have figured all of this out from an early age. Throughout high school and college, I would daydream about who the future me would look like. Some days it was the New Yorker who worked for a high profile fashion brand that attended all the runway shows and went to fancy after-parties. This girl would live in a chic, modern Manhattan apartment with her white Persian cat and handsome boyfriend. (Can you tell I read the Gossip Girl series growing up?) Other days it was the trendy, but free-spirited business owner that would run her own boutique in a stylish little suburb and live in a rustic, modern townhouse with a big backyard and patio.
I haven’t completely lived up to either of the ideal future me’s just yet, besides the handsome boyfriend ;), but that’s the beauty of the future: everything and anything is still possible.
Today I’m partnering with Clinique to answer the question: “If you could give your future self any advice, what would it be?” This question really resonates with me, since I’ve never stopped thinking about my future self. My current self is pretty laser-focused on career and lifestyle goals, so I’m confident that my future self will eventually reach those. Instead I’d like to tell my future self to:
- Be more present in the everyday. Live the little things and enjoy the company that you’re surrounded by.
- Take care of yourself, don’t stay up until 2am writing blog posts like I do! Get that beauty sleep, exercise and try to limit yourself to pizza just a few times per month, not once a week.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the success that you’ve had in your life so far and be grateful for the opportunities you’ve had.
- Most importantly, keep your eyes on the horizon and never stop learning or trying new things.
What advice would you give your future self? Join the conversation with #FaceForward and be sure to tag me in your posts so I can see your advice, too!
This post is brought to you by Clinique and Collectively. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Style Tab’s lights on!