Oh sh*t! I'm an adult?!

They say the only thing constant in life is change.

It's beneficial to learn to run with the change, rather than away from it.

After all, it's going to catch you.

I'm 26, and sometimes I still feel like I'm 19.

BUT, I've changed.

Believe it or not, I am wiser now. I'm stronger too. I stand up fiercely for what I believe in. I love with my whole being, and I put intense passion into everything I love.

But f*ck, I'm a full blown adult!

Adulthood has its beautiful, joyful ups and its devastating, dark downs.

If I'm being honest, adulting kinda sucks.

The bills, the full-time job, maintaining a social life, and trying to survive in a capitalist hellscape.

Don't get me wrong, I love the freedom adulthood comes with, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the days of Barbie and long, school-free summers.

Like most things in life, adulting has its pros and its cons. The privilege to do whatever you want. The deep water you find yourself in, wondering if you'll begin to drown.

It feels like life goes faster as each year passes.

How am I already a grown ass adult with bills and never ending responsibilities?

Life doesn't slow down for anyone.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is to make it count.

Romanticize everything!!!!!

Use the fancy teacup for coffee.

Stop and actually smell the flowers.

Blast your music and dance around the room like the main character of a movie.

BECAUSE YOU ARE THE MAIN CHARACTER IN YOUR LIFE!

Live big and with no regrets!!!

Drive 3 hours to a place you've never been before.

Take the vacation.

Eat the cake!

Life is too short not to experience all it has to offer.

Be you, boldly.

Who cares if they think you're an unhinged liberal?

I never do ;)

Who cares if they think you're weird?

Being unapologetically you is the most beautiful version you can be.

Don't let anybody, and I mean ANYBODY, take away your light.

You are who you are for a specific reason.

God, the universe, the great unknown made you that way for a reason.

Be proud of who you are!

Most haters are jealous or put others down to inflate their own ego.

Stand tall.

Take up LOTS of space.

You deserve it!

My main message is to live every day like it's your last. Romanticize it all! Soak up what life has to offer and don't be afraid to take a leap of faith. You'll fail and fail again, but then you'll succeed. Sometimes it's about getting 100 no's before that 1 yes.

Be unapologetically YOU!

Don't let others take your power. You are powerful. Own it. Honor it.

I am sending all my love to the communities struggling around the world. The inhumane, awful ICE raids, the wars happening in Ukraine and Gaza, and the incompetent administration America is under right now. I pray and hope for it all to get better. The people who are crazy enough to think they'll change the world are the ones who do.

I know things look bleak under our current administration, but WE THE PEOPLE WILL WIN.

I encourage you to protest injustices in whatever capacity you can. Share protests, fundraisers, and resources on your social media accounts. Donate to the cause if you can. Join a local protest. Just get out there and STAND UP to the injustices happening all around us.

As always, my lovely readers, be unapologetically you.

Make this life count...you only get one.

With so much love and admiration,

Unapologetically Rachael