20 Things I have Learned this Past Year
So I turned 20 this past Saturday (WOOHOO, I am finally in my roaring 20s). My day started with some avocado toast and a bougee vanilla latte and ended with all my favorite people dancing the night away. Of course my birthday was also filled with a whole lot of love, laughing until my stomach hurt, and an endless amount of flowers. It is safe to say that my 20th birthday was the best one yet. As the day came to an end, I found myself realizing all I have accomplished this past year and being so appreciative for all those who have made an impact in my life, especially in the last 365 days. With this last year came my very best OOTDs (Outfit of the Days), road trips that turned into some of my favorite memories, laughter until the sun rose, and of course some hard times with tears and sorrow. But through all the good and the bad, some great life lessons emerged. NicolinaTaylor.com started as a place to share my fashion tips, but it has now also allowed me to share my thoughts and encouragements to those who read.
Without further ado, here are the 20 things I have learned this past year:
Always tell people you love them and are thankful for them, no matter what (grudges aren’t worth it).
It is okay to ask people for help.
Sometimes things are out of your control, so stay positive and roll with the punches.
Apologies are only necessary when you are sorry, it shouldn’t be part of your everyday vocabulary.
Only surround yourself with people who make you a better person.
Say yes to things that will get you out of your comfort zone, it pushes you to your ultimate potential.
Don’t share drinks with people, it could possibly lead to mono (learned this the hard way lol).
Family is everything, don’t take it for granted.
Be the first to smile at a stranger, you never know the impact you could be making.
Travel and say yes to trips.
Don’t plan everything, sometimes life is better being spontaneous.
Grades are important, but they are definitely not everything.
You can never be overdressed, wear what you want to wear.
Be selfless, but remember to take time for yourself.
There is not a right or wrong time for relationships, don’t fight them or run from them if you see them coming.
view Failure as a positive thing; it pushes you to try harder or to change paths.
Do at least one thing every week that you have absolutely fallen in love with.
Dancing can sometimes be life’s best medicine.
Learn to love the person you were created to be.
Eat the cookie, the bagel, the cereal; being healthy is also about not limiting yourself to those foods you just love.
Cannot wait for year 20 and all it has in store for me.
Xxx,
Nicolina
Birthday OOTD
dress: Free people
sunglasses: ray-ban
New Year's Eve, the Best Holiday Ever!
Oh 2018, you have been good to me. I failed a final, I was dumped, and I got mono. I tell you these things not so that you will throw a pity party for me, but to show you that despite some hiccups along the road, 2018 was of the best years yet. What did I take away from these 365 days? You can learn from everything, every opportunity, every hardship, and every failure. Did you know that if you don’t put in enough time to study for tests, you will inevitably fail? Apparently, I didn't, but I learned. Did you know that sometimes things don’t work out in relationships and I will be the first to tell you THAT IS OKAY it is not the end of the world (moving on is good for the brain and amazing for the soul)! This one is my favorite, did you know that if you are not continually taking care of yourself, not getting enough sleep, and sharing cups with people, you will undoubtedly get sick. I definitely learned this the hard day (three cheers for mono on my Italian vacation this summer)!
And people, that is exactly why New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day is my favorite holiday. You can start over, establish new habits, or maybe even continue those goals you set for yourself a whole year ago. Although new years symbolizes new beginnings, I believe that you can not take on the new year without reflecting on the year before, the year 2018. I am huge on creating new years resolutions. A lot of people think resolutions are dumb because they aren’t achievable, and to them, I say you might be right, but if you make them reasonable and practical, they can transform your life. I know this because they have transformed mine every year. For those who say they are happy with who they are and don’t want to change, that's great, me too, but I also want to be the best version of myself. And sometimes I need a good press of the ol’ restart button (and a little kick in the butt) to help in my development of the best version of Nicolina Taylor.
This year I wanted to create a blog post about my own personal New Year's resolutions in the hope that you too can create some attainable goals to keep you motivated throughout the year. As we head into the year 2019, I encourage you to reflect on 2018, but also move on. I tell you this because one of my biggest struggles is always looking to the future, I want to start a job, have my own apartment, heck with it maybe even someday have my own family. But while I am looking in the future I find myself missing the little moments in my everyday life, getting to wake up at any time of the day using the “I’m a college student” excuse, not having the obligation of a job, and planning impromptu trips to visit friends because you can skip a day of class. So year 2019, I come at you with open arms ready to embark on whatever opportunities you throw my way and concentrating on what is right before me. Whose with me?
No matter how you are celebrating this wonderful holiday tonight (Me? I will be bringing in the new year on the dance floor!), I urge you to be optimistic about this new year. I mean think about it, this is the one holiday where people across the world come together to celebrate hope, the hope of a new year.
Xxx,
Nicolina
My New Year’s Resolutions
Read a book every two months.
Touch my toes (might be easier for some of you, but I have at least a foot to go).
write and post Two blog posts a month.
Become a morning person (for me this is waking up at 8:30 lol, I don’t want any judgement).
Work out four times a week.
Make a new Spotify playlist every month.
Get an internship.
Don’t be afraid to tell people “no,” but tell opportunities “yes.”
Volunteer once a month.
Learn how to use photoshop.
P.S. I have wanted to dye my hair brunette for a while now, and I finally sent it because new year, new me!
“Sometimes it feels like there are so many things in this world we can’t control. Earthquakes, floods, reality shows… But it’s important to remember the things that we can. Like forgiveness, second chances, fresh starts… Because the one thing that turns the world from the longing place to a beautiful place… is love. Love and any of its forms. Love gives us hope… Hope for the New Year. That’s what New Year’s Eve is to me. Hope and a great party” -New year’s eve (the movie)
