The Daily Glow: An E-space for Healing and Growth
Never Going Back to Fresno: Moving out of a Toxic Household
When things started to get bad within my toxic household, I knew I needed out, but the method of how to get out of a toxic household was unclear to me. For years I confided in therapists, close friends, and family members expressing that my toxic home environment was negatively impacting my mental health. "Just move out" was their solution, but how? Also, constantly hearing the question, "when are you moving out" irked me because these same people who were pressuring me to move out, would turn a blind eye, if I were to move out, fall short on the rent, and become homeless. Couch surfing and house hopping were not uncommon in my childhood, and for the first time in years I had a consistent place to stay. However, the events within the home were creating an environment unfit for children. As the eldest daughter and child, I did my best to speak up and seek help, but to no avail my concerns were dismissed. My professor once said "it's difficult to heal while, you're still in it" and this sentiment reigns true. Therefore, I am here to tell someone that moving out to help me heal was the catalyst of something great! I never imagined that I could move out of my toxic home, especially while navigating a toxic parent in adulthood. Yet, I'm here and I'm doing it and you can too! Growing Up in a Toxic Household Growing up in a toxic household fosters depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses within the most resilient of individuals. For children, there is a sense of helplessness and a lack of safety. For individuals that are growing up in toxic households or within an environment with toxic people, secluded spaces such as the bedroom or bathroom become sanctuaries. Isolation and reclusion are also apparent in individuals growing up in a toxic household. For me I compromised eating to avoid the toxic people and activities within my home. For hours I would remain in my room, waiting for the "guests" to leave. I would avoid common areas and when spotted engage in quick greetings with minimal eye contact. They would attempt to partake in small talk, but I was uninterested and quite frankly they could care less about me and the happenings of my life. The new reality of the 21st century is middle aged adults living with parents. Adult children are living with their parents to cut costs and maintain adequate housing in an economy where housing and food costs are astronomically high. Nonetheless, these same adult children are forced to weigh the psychological effects of moving back home. When I was a kid, there was the stereotypical adult child that lived in the basement, played videos games, and remained unemployed. In a way many of us (in our own ways) are the adult child in the basement. Moving back in with parents to save money was my reality, after my freshman year of college I became a commuter and never left. Unfortunately, throughout the final three years of my college journey my toxic home environment nearly pushed me over the edge. However, two years after I graduated things started to look up for me. The individual that contributed negatively to my home environment, stopped coming around. I was free, or so I thought! To cope with and in an attempt at learning how to deal with a toxic home environment, I looked outside of the home. After, I purchased my first car and met a boy. While my toxic home life somewhat improved, the incessant arguing and door slamming contributed greatly to my anxiety and I needed out. I figured that being with that individual was better than being in my home and as a result, I laid my standards down by the river side and was laid up with a boy in his mother's house as late as 3am. The relationship between myself and the boy was toxic, unhealthy, and confusing for me. After taking a good look at the situation, I realized that he wasn't for me. I wrote myself a letter stating that if I never speak to him again, after a year from the date of the letter, present me will gift future me $500 to spend anywhere. Long story short, I bought myself my first Tiffany necklace with the money from the bet and I never spoke to that boy again. Which brings me to a great point, which I discuss in the podcast episode on the 'Not Another Think Piece' podcast. Dating while in a toxic household and navigating a toxic home environment is difficult, because sometimes you'll settle for new devils simply to avoid what's happening in your home. Instead of looking for a man to save me, which I was inadvertently doing. I started to form hobbies, which taught me how to deal with a toxic home environment. While working in a non-profit organization in Boston (the best job ever.) My co-worker and friend taught me how to fish, which taught me the importance of solitude, stillness, and patience. I also learned how to crochet, which showed me the importance of creating items from scratch. One week my boss allowed me to head home early for about 3-4 days because I was severely under the weather. Within that time, I felt compelled to revamp my childhood room. At this time, my youngest sister had moved into another room and for the first time I had my own room. With a fever, I stripped and repainted the entire room in 3-4 days, which allowed me to not only feel more comfortable within the space, but to also feel more inclined to post move videos on my Tik Tok. How to get out of a toxic household I categorized that year as the best year of my life and I have a video montage to prove it, however, unfortunately when life started to look up, terrible things began to happen in my toxic home. Yet, I took advantage of the opportunity at hand. Yes I was constantly triggered and forced to encounter adults that were fostering an unhealthy and toxic environment, but I was living rent free! I listened as others complained about rent prices and the perils of adulthood, and became complicit in the toxicity of my home. I was afforded the luxury of disposable income, trips, and adventures out the wazoo, because I was willing to compromise my sanity for fun. However, eventually I had to ask myself "how are you contributing to your unhappiness?" Two people approached me about moving in with them, however, in both instances the individuals were only looking for apartments for themselves. Also, in a way they were also attempting to escape their toxic home life and I did not want to serve as someone's ticket to freedom, and compromise my peace as a result. The roommate thing and sharing is not my strongest trait, therefore I was unwilling to compromise my peace, in attempt to provide someone else with theirs. I wanted someone to move-in with me because they enjoyed me, not because they were running from something else. After asking myself that question I had to get real with the fact that I was scared of leaving my toxic home environment because of the security and privileges that I was afforded. I had plans of buying a home and saved enough for a downpayment, however after an incident that left me in tears uttering the phrase, "I can't live here anymore" sparked my need to move immediately. How to move out of a toxic parents house/Tips for moving out for the first time: I lived alone briefly in college, but I never lived in an apartment or outside of Massachusetts for that matter. Once I decided that I could no longer deal with my toxic home life, I planned and I executed and here's how I did it. Step one: How to move out of your parents home with no money The first plan of action is to get money! I created a bucket within my high yield savings account, which is a savings account that pays you an annual percentage yield (APY), or what I like to call free money/interest based on the sum of money within an account. I titled the bucket 'Never Going Back to Fresno' inspired by Toni Childs in Girlfriends. In the episode where Toni, Lynn, and Maya are disclosing "secrets" while at lunch, Toni shares that within her 'Never Going Back to Fresno' account she has almost half a million dollars, as a security of ensuring that she never go back to Fresno. I saved upwards to $20,000 within that account, and never touched it. Q: How much to save before moving out of your parents house A: I aimed for around $10,000, but it's dependent on your area and anticipated rent and additional costs Step two: How to secretly move out Loose lips sink ships! If possible, tell only those that will be involved in the move. For your safety tell someone that you trust and who can support you during this time. The only reason my family found out I was moving was because I found a couch on FB Marketplace and I needed help picking it up. From then, the news spread. Upon finding out that I was moving I received an array of messages stating that I was going to regret my decision, once I leave I possibly can't come back (which is the hope), and that I was moving off of emotion and I wasn't thinking. Once I did move, I received secondhand notice that I abandoned my parent and that I now had an isolation issue that was cause for concern. A bunch of hoopla if you ask me. Tell only those that you can trust and if for any reason you feel that the move will become violent or put you at harm, seek the necessary help and resources immediately! Many of us have left or are in the process of leaving home because of our parents. I was told that I would appear "more mature," if I explained where I was going and it would foster peace of mind on my parent's end. Yet, I countered by expressing that hopefully when I have children I create an environment where they don't feel compelled to have a shotgun move-out because of the environment that I created within the home. Establishing boundaries with parents and other people during this time will be necessary and vital for operation finding place of peace. During this period of my life, I am not necessarily no contact with toxic family and family members, however, I am in no rush to reach out or return to my childhood home. Step three: Apartment hunting tips Apartment hunting websites: Craiglists Zilliow Apartments.com Facebook Marketplace Believe it or not, I found my current apartment on Craigslist! Always be safe, make sure that communication is clear and that if possible you tour the apartment with someone else. Also, if it's too good to be true, it probably is! When communicating with the listing agent or apartment owner, ensure that communication is concise and straightforward. Wrong message: Hi is this apartment still available? This is wrong because there is a lack of urgency, intent, and information. Right message: Hi! I am interested in touring the property! What dates and times work best for you? They may ask for pre-qualification information and conduct a credit check (after touring), but never, under any circumstance, give out personal information via messenger. Bonus tip: You catch my flies with sugar than sh*t! Be nice and courteous, but remember that you don't owe them anything more! Bonus bonus tip: Never give them your real phone number and personal email. During my apartment hunting period I always gave out a google voice number and utilized my school email. Questions to ask before renting an apartment/Questions to ask a landlord/What to ask when touring an apartment Is there a service fee to turn on utilities? If applicable, how much? Can I tour the unit that I will be staying in, rather than a vacant unit? Community Safety Total monthly fees Approval requirements and total move-in costs Escrow account for security deposit Internet providers you work with Move-in specials on units (for luxury apartments) How is rent collected? What's included in the rent? (water, gas, electric) How does maintenance work? How many times a year are inspections? Pet-friendly? Types of pets? Have you seen or received any complaints or concerns about roaches, bed bugs, and rodents within the past 3 months? Mail and theft safety Response time of landlord or leasing office? Cameras on the property and what are they used for? Lease break fee and process? (If you have a child under the age of 6) Is this property de-leaded? When did the de-leading take place? Who is responsible for snow removal and landscape? Parking and guests How are grievances amongst tenants addressed? Who is or are the point of contact(s) for tenants? Trash day and pick up process? Does this town or city require special bags or bins? Amenities within the unit and shared (if applicable) While engaging in the first initial walk through, make mental notes of damages or areas where you could become liable. Address them and ask if they will be fixed before move-in. Before the initial move-in date, conduct a final walkthrough to ensure that the unit or apartment is to a livable standard and the necessary changes have been made. While this is not every question worth asking, these serve as important questions to ask when renting an apartment. Think of this as your questions to ask when renting an apartment checklist. From my POV, when considering questions to ask when renting an apartment for the first time, these were heavy hitters. When you mention an Escrow account and de-leading, they know that you mean business. Also, through these questions you can gauge how involved the leasing office or landlord are with the property and tenants. During my period of moving-out, I was also studying to take my real estate exam. I have since passed and the information I learned while studying helped guide my search and line of questioning. What to bring when viewing an apartment Flashlight to look behind the fridge, cracks, and crevices for signs of mice droppings. You're also looking for the landlord special. The landlord special is when the landlord (or his crew) paint over areas of concern to cover and conceal. A pen and notebook to document questions and important information Another person if possible for your safety Dress business casual ID A smile A Camera What to look for when viewing an apartment The number of outlets and where they are located Visit the property early in the morning and in the evening to see who hangs around the property, how many people go to work, and the overall atmosphere. How you feel about the landlord or individual showing you the property. Do you get scammy vibes, if so, run! Noise levels Security Who comes into the building and out of the building Check online reviews beforehand If you pass a tenant, ask them about their experience within the facility Businesses and schools within the surrounding area Nearest police station Signs of rodents (traps and droppings) and bugs (webs and bug carcasses) Run the water of each tap, faucet, and spigot and access how long the water takes to heat up Look at your phone and check your service (is it terrible in certain areas of the house, or is it terrible overall?) Look at how well the facility is maintained outside of the unit (trash, dirt, unkept lawn, etc.) Be on the look out for signs of mold or poor ventilation in the bathroom Look for windows and how well the unit is lit with natural lighting Once you have decided that you would like to move-in and have provided the security deposit (if applicable), conduct a final walkthrough as stated previously and take lots of pictures. Take pictures of dents, scratches on the floors, chips, anything that they can blame on you when it's time to move out. Take as much time as you need! Emailing the pictures with a forwarding address for your security deposit is the next step! Q: Income requirements for renting an apartment A: They typically state, three times the rent. Q: Documents needed to rent an apartment A: Typically proof of income through pay stub or an offer letter. Landlords often ask to check your credit and may conduct a background check. As to comply with fair housing, if you are asked for a background check everyone is required to engage in a background check. Financial Tips for Moving out for the first time Save more than you think you'll need Live below your means and don't go broke trying to impress broke people! Consider all moving costs If possible ask family members to help you move to cut costs and pay them Ask more people than you think you'll need just in case Rent one size large than you think you'll need for a U-Haul Bring the more fragile items to the apartment in your car before move-in day Create a separate savings account for apartment expenses and only use the funds for their intended use Step four: Moving out checklist Before you officially move-out, about a month before you move out make mental notes (or physical notes) of everything you use and touch within your current home. Toilet paper, spices, ingredients within the fridge, toothpaste, etc. Doing this will provide you with the general framework of the everyday items that you will need when moving out. Unfortunately, I was too eager to leave and packed a month early. As a result I was sleeping on the floor until I was able to officially move and was living out of boxes. Tips for moving out for the first time Use FB Marketplace to purchase secondhand items such as pots, pans, home decor, etc. People were willing to give me a deal once I disclosed that I was collecting items for my first apartment. Also, don't be afraid to haggle. I am the queen of FB marketplace. Bad message: Is this still available? Good Message: Hi I am interested in this item? Is the price firm of are you open to the best offer? Also, which days work best for you in terms of pick up? Sell old items on FB marketplace! I sold my old futon bed frame for free and convinced the purchaser to give me a tip because I had to carry the bed down a flight of stairs alone and I tightened the screws for her! Easiest $20 I made in my life! Again, similar to finding apartments on craigslist, be safe and avoid scams! Assess the pros and cons of each place that you tour and don't hold back. For one tour I was told "if your car is towed, call the landlord" and the parking spaces in the back of the home were flooded because of poor drainage. RED FLAG! Read the contract/leasing agreement in it's entirety and ask questions Deep clean the apartment before you move your stuff in Pray over the apartment (if applicable) Take time to celebrate such a major accomplishment! Unpopular opinion: I believe in waiting until you move-in before stockpiling on cleaning supplies and other items because someone has to carry that in the move. Moving out cleaning tips: Pack and clean a little every day, that way you're not overwhelmed. Utilize FB Marketplace for free boxes and ask around Learn to close your boxes without tape (this was a major game changer for me) Get rid of what you don't need! Moving out for the first time check list: Things you might not think of but need... Tool Box Screw Set Caulk Toilet Paper Trash Bags Matches/Lighter Advil/Ibprophen First Aid Kit Band-Aids Hydrogen Peroxide Rubbing Alcohol Stud Finder Flashlight Drain Cleaner Batteries Printer + Paper. Wifi Fan or AC Safe Outlets Pens/ Stationary material Kitchen List: Cutlery (Spoons, Knives, Forks) Plates Bowls Mugs Cups Pots Pans Spatula Cutting Board Paper Towel (or Rags) Tupperware Oven mitts Strainer Grater Can Opener Baking Sheet Microwave (if not in-unit) Kitchen Scissors Tongs Skillet Tea Kettle Toaster Wine Glasses Dish drying rack Trash Bin Dish soap Moving out pro tip: A skillet serves as the universal cooking pan! Laundry Baking soda Bags or bin Detergent Cleaning Supplies: Broom w/ dust pan Mop Toilet Cleaner Sponge or rag Toilet Brush Plunger Vacuum Bathroom: Bath mat Shower curtain, rod, and hooks if applicable Towels Rags Toilet Paper Gloves Stool (if necessary) Toilet Brush Plunger Soap This post serves as a plan to move out. I had to create one for myself, without much guidance, but I made it happen. These first time moving out tips are comprehensive and easy enough to follow. I chose moving out to help me heal and in my own home; I can say that now, my home! I have never been more happy and at peace. Q: Can toxic parents change A: Absolutely, however, I refused to be complicit and standby when the toxicity was negatively impacting my will to live. Unfortunately, instead of telling me that I had overstayed my welcome, from my perspective my parent was engaging in behaviors that signified that that was their home and they were going to do what they wanted. Upon asking the individual to change a behavior that was not only inconsiderate, but gross, their response was "stop talking to me like i'm your roommate." That remark put so many things into perspective for me and unfortunately, adults do things because they didn't have the freedom to exercise their authority and will as child. However, when dealing with toxic people and learning how to deal with toxic parents, the key is to realize that it's not about you! They are going to be and do as they please, therefore cutting off toxic parents is a method of telling them I will no longer be involved in your mess! Leaving home because of parents sucks, but on the bright side you have the power to create an environment where you children don't feel the need to run from. When confronted about my move, I told my sister that I would be screenshotting excerpts from my past journal prompts and sending them to anyone with an unsolicited opinion. While, I was joking, for a while I began to gaslight my self on what I experienced. However, thanks to my journal entries I have proof that what I experienced was real and my actions now are 100% warranted! Congratulations on the move-out in advance and remember that the change starts with you!
Never Going Back to Fresno: Moving out of a Toxic Household
When things started to get bad within my toxic household, I knew I needed out, but the method of how to get out of a toxic household was unclear to...
📓 Life & college survival guide
ADVICE TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH YOUR ADULTHOOD Say hello to your cheat-code to life! We asked 20+ adults to answer the question “What are some lessons and tips that you wish someone would have told you as a senior in high school that would have helped you throughout life” and here's what they had to say. CLICK THE LINKS BELOW ⤵️ Read when you need advice about academics Read when you need general (life and college) advice Read when you need a few words of wisdom Read when you need advice on your artistic/creative process Read when you need advice on Finances/Employment/Money BONUS TIP: On a computer you can hit the command+f key (on MAC) or ctrl+f (on Windows) to find EXACTLY what you're looking for. The hope is that you will utilize this post as a resource and guide. Feel free to bookmark and share with someone that might need it! When in doubt, figure it out! 📝Read when you need advice about academics: Sit in the front of the class, this shows the professor that you are engaged. This also makes it easier to ask questions because you can’t see the people behind you. Have a nice balance of extracurricular activities and school Try to find friends that are in your major: this way you’ll have life long connections, people to do your homework with, and they’ll send you job offers/opportunities in the future Get hobbies, join a club, do sh*t you think you won’t like Community college is still college: don’t get stuck on the name! Do Gen. Eds. first ‘Ratemyprofessor.com’ is your bible Apply to every scholarship! Have someone help you with your FAFSA, grants, scholarships Make sure you maintain a strong GPA during your freshman year and into your senior year. This mentality also applies to course work. If you start off strong, there’s more wiggle room and a cushion, just in case. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you think you’ll look dumb, at least you’ll look “dumb” with an answer! You also could be asking a question that someone else might have needed an answer to, but was also too afraid to ask. Make sure that you are volunteering and participating in community service in some capacity Private versus public education, which is the best financially for you? Don’t take out loans unless it’s necessary and start with government first Take advantage of resources and network as much as possible Apply and check on your FAFSA every year, starting from your Freshman year to your Senior year Be a teacher’s pet because they determine your success Care about the last semester… finish it and finish strong Don’t be afraid to change your major Stress kills (Literally)! Make stress management your best friend. Take Me Back to the List 🛠Read when you need general (life and college) advice: Take lots of pictures (and print them out), but also remember to live in the moment Good luck! It’s okay to do what’s best for you! Avoid going home every weekend or within the first few weeks of college. The goal is to step outside of your comfort zone. Going home only pushes you back into it. You don’t have to only attend college to study abroad The first day is usually the hardest (mentally), but colleges often make it enjoyable with activities and free items Most people will clique up within the first week. Some may last, while others may fizzle out. If you haven’t found your friend group in the first week or first couple of months don’t beat yourself up Get comfortable with spending time with yourself. There may be times when you’ll have to eat alone and that’s okay! Shower shoes are non-negotiable! Don’t just focus on school, school should be 40% of your life Stay in college as long as you can Join clubs that you are interested in, even if you’re unfamiliar or never have done it before Use swipes more than dining dollars and make friends with the lunch attendants, you might get free food Everyone poops and if you’re uncomfortable going in a communal space wear headphones Don’t bring EVERYTHING from your room at home, there’s barely enough space. Bring what you need. It’s okay to have “at home” friends and college friends, and mixing the two is not always the best idea Don't lock yourself away in your room. Utilize the common spaces for studying and watching tv Take time for yourself, if your social battery is depleted, that’s a clear sign that you need to recharge Prioritize your mental health and well-being, most colleges offer *FREE* counseling and mental health resources. Take advantage! If you choose to participate in recreational activities, do it safely. Once you put your cup down it’s no longer yours! Get another one. If you see something, say something immediately. Better to be safe than sorry. Call home to let your family know you’re alive every once in a while. (they’ll appreciate it) No, does not mean convince someone and if you ever feel uncomfortable speak up and tell someone. Don’t be afraid to leave home, you’ll start to develop multiple “homes” the more you move Incorporate a fitness routine into your schedule, whether that be utilizing the school gym, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or going for daily walks solo or with a few friends Get your 8hrs. Learn to make your own choices If you can leave [for school], go! Hang out more! Spend your time wisely Your character and authenticity matters Be open to meeting new people Relationships can get in the way Floss! Try everything and be patient Don’t be in a rush to grow up, most adults want to go back Apply yourself Find community College is a small pond, it’s sort of like practice Find time to do the things that you enjoy and get your priorities straight so that you are able to do both. Education is important, but experiencing the outside world before you’re unable to is important as well. Travel while you’re still able to enjoy it! Traveling offers a new perspective and allows you to realize just how small the city is DO NOT WEAR YOUR PJs to class! Dress for success! Early is on time and on time is late! Take Me Back to the List 💌Read when you need a few words of wisdom: “May the flowers remind you why rain is necessary” If you didn’t get exactly what you wanted, don’t be discouraged. The thing you didn’t get may have been in the way of something much better! If you can’t immediately work towards a goal or dream don’t forget it. Keep moving forward! Don’t give up. Anytime that you’re feeling judged or that people might judge you, most people are more concerned about what’s going on in their own life. 9 times out of 10 they’re probably thinking about themselves. Everyone’s path is their own, and everyone’s path looks different Get focused and focus on it! Show up as you are, ALWAYS! Show up in the world like you care about yourself. How are you presenting yourself? First impressions matter, but you can always redeem yourself if it doesn’t go as planned Use your voice, you have one! Get to know yourself, what you want, and how to get it Give yourself some grace while you’re figuring it out Take the time to think about what you want to do to avoid regrets Just do it! Life is all about calculated risks! Stick up for yourself and advocate for your needs! Prove them wrong and shock yourself! Things won’t happen when you want or as quickly as you want it, but it could happen Do what you wanna do most Don’t be afraid to take risks You are your own definition of success Don’t take the bare minimum! The thing that you are resisting the most is probably what you need to grow If you think you’re dumb you’re probably right, if you think you’re a genius you’re probably right. Your mindset matters. Try again! Don’t seek perfection! The best requires work! Don’t feel like you have to have it all figured out! Take it slow! There’s time! Don’t forget that you’re pretty young Try not to worry, create a vision for your path. Just start! It’s the journey! Take it all in, even the different things Be kind to people Be kind to yourself Your path is yours so follow what’s in your heart People will only give you what you will allow Don’t stress about the past, learn from it. Take Me Back to the List 🎨Read when you need advice on your artistic/creative process: Try different mediums and don’t feel like you have to stick to one. Never stop creating or being conceptual. Make it a habit to carry around a sketchbook or journal for notes, management, sketches, and it’s better than a phone! Don't get too attached to the end product and enjoy the process Look at what everyone else is doing and then don't do that! Take Me Back to the List 💰Read when you need advice on Finances/Employment/Money: Find yourself before you make a major financial decision “If you’re going to sell your soul to retail, Apple is a great start. They offer great benefits” Go for the job giving you the most benefits! Retail jobs don’t care! Take what you need and get out! Always read what you’re signing and make sure you understand what you’re signing Start asking for what you're worth right away so you can get used to it! Find careers that are marketable Be consistent with your credit The sooner you pay off loans, the better You can also consolidate your loans to one bill *Important note: if applied to student loans, you will not be eligible for loan forgiveness or interest decreases if your federal loans are consolidated into a private loan! Take advantage of internships. Prioritize internships and don’t blow it off. If your school doesn’t offer internship support make sure you look for yourself. Monetizing your gifts: Build a website and a professional Instagram account Get your finances in order: you need a savings account and the ability to understand how and when to use a credit card Buy land…eventually Understand how to complete your taxes or how to find support with tax filing If a place of work says that they’re a family… run! Accounting: understand how to manage your money by budgeting and monitoring your spending habits Networking can happen naturally Find a marketable skill that you can improve on Entrepreneurship: Find a hobby that’s for you and also find a hobby that you can reap the monetary benefits of. “Find a hobby unique to you that you can share with the world.” Try to find work life balance early You will be 70 eventually, prepare for your future now. Think about your legacy/retirement plan Understand the consequences of overspending on a Credit Cards You can always make more money, but you can't always make more time. If you're making the right kind of friends, money shouldn't really be a problem. Don't lend people money. The people that can pay you back usually don't need to borrow money. Take Me Back to the List A LETTER JUST FOR YOU ****MUST READ**** Dear reader— You’re an adult now! Well, that’s what the adults keep telling you, but what does that even mean? “I’m an adult!” I hate to break it to you, but contrary to popular belief most adults are winging it and no one really knows what they’re doing. Adulthood is more than paying bills, being serious all the time, and telling people what to do. As a child you spent your entire life being told what to do and how to do it by these same adults, and now you’re expected to become them. Scary right? However, I have great news! In an ideal world, school and life would have prepared you for this very moment, the big moment. The moment when you set aside your childish ways, get an education, and work for the rest of your life! Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world, where everything happens as it should and when it should. However, we are fortunate to live in the real world. A world where we have the power to influence the life we want to live and the adult we want to become. This is your opportunity to create your life. It’s not an easy task, but as the saying goes “if it comes easy it won’t last, and if it will last it won’t come easy.” Although, you are now considered an adult that does not mean that you know everything, no one does. You will make mistakes along the way, but the best part about life is those mistakes help you build habits so that you can avoid making that same mistake again. Fortunately, when you do something “wrong”, understand that you weren’t the first to do it and you won’t be the last. You might be too young, but when I was a kid, a popular show was Ned’s Declassified School Survival guide. In summary, Ned gave us (the audience) tips packed with insight for navigating high school. You have successfully passed that stage in life and you are now transitioning into another. To equip you for your journey, the staff at Artist for Humanity helped curate a Life Survival Guide to assist you in your transition. Mentors that have been where you are going have provided you with tips and tricks for successfully conquering a new environment. Congratulations on making the transition and please understand that your worth is not determined by how and if you finish college. This is your journey and if it takes you 4 years or 6, you’re still elite! As my former teacher would say to me “kick butt and take names!”
📓 Life & college survival guide
ADVICE TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH YOUR ADULTHOOD Say hello to your cheat-code to life! We asked 20+ adults to answer the question “What are some lessons and tips that you...
5 Side Hustles Every College Student Should Know | Help Me I'm Broke!
"I'm a broke college student and I need extra money!" If you have ever said the above statement, you have come to the right place. Check out this must read list of side hustles every college student should know!
5 Side Hustles Every College Student Should Know | Help Me I'm Broke!
"I'm a broke college student and I need extra money!" If you have ever said the above statement, you have come to the right place. Check out this must read list of...