Sparkles and Shoes

A Fashion, Travel, and Lifestyle Blog

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
  • My Style
    • Spring Style
    • Summer Style
    • Fall Style
    • Winter Style
  • Fashion
    • Really Love My …
    • Shop My Instagram
    • Style Icons
    • Trending
  • Travel
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
      • Southern Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Indonesia
      • Qatar
      • Singapore
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Vatican City
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Central America
      • St Lucia
      • US: East Coast
      • US: West Coast
    • South America
  • Favorites
    • Beauty
    • Delicious Eats
    • London
    • Sparkle Sessions
  • wedding
    • Engagement Story
    • Planning My Day
    • Wedding Inspo

Apparently I’m Crushing My 20’s

07/14/15 | Life Update

It seems every time I have logged into to Facebook  this past year someone is engaged, getting married, or announcing they are expecting.  The last three times I talked to my mom on the phone I let her know that someone from my 2nd grade Brownie troop, middle school softball team, or an acquaintance from college is getting married. Never mind the updates of friends celebrating their MBAs, law degrees, or graduating from medical school – I must admit these updates make me feel pretty rotten.  
 
However, over the weekend came across an article that made me feel much better. I know I should not compare myself to others and I have come to grips with the fact that I will never be Rosie but it is difficult not to compare myself to people I went to school with.  I always think, well, that could be.  This article though made me change my whole perspective, it was called You’ve Got This: 12 Signs You’re Actually Killing It in Your 20’s.
 
Kelly Birthday
 
Here is my take on the 12 points from the article:
 

1) You have a job: I do, and it is great. I work in digital advertising and every day presents new and interesting challenges and I work with a great client.  You can read more about how I ended up in digital advertising here.

2) You can turn your lights on: That is very true, they go on every time I flick the switch. This is something I would have never considered as a point of pride but yes, I can turn the lights on and high speed internet is waiting for me any time I want it. 

3) You’ve been through some shit: You can say that again. Shit with friends, boys, roommates, work, and family. But as the article said “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. #truestory

4) You have hobbies: This blog is definitely my biggest hobby and to say love it is an understatement. I would also call brunching a hobby and it is one I can never get enough of. 

5) You eat fresh food:  I learned how to properly cook vegetables after college and I now try to add green to every meal I make. I have also figured out how to make a few go to dishes like this salmon and I never say no fresh fruit. 

6) You have your own space: Again, yes. For the past year I have lived alone in my studio apartment and absolutely love it. It may only be one room but it is my one room and I can do anything I want with it. 

7) You can travel: yes, I can! Being financially responsible has allowed me to save for little trips, like long weekends away to friend’s weddings and for bigger travels like the Eastern European trip I am taking in September. 

 8) People listen to you: Of the 12 points on this list this item is the one I am the most dubious about. Do people really listen to me?  Hmm.  I make recommendations of beauty products, recipes, and clothes here on the blog that people then act upon so I guess that counts.

 9) You’re wiser:  Well, I would like to think so! In every aspect of my life I would argue that my decisions are much more well informed than what they would have been five years ago. Moving on up! 

 10) You can take care of yourself: I do indeed. I may call my mom a handful of times a week for advice or her opinion but I can definitely fly solo on almost every aspect of my life. As the article stated so succinctly, “you’ve learned to think twice about your actions and have started to look out for number one.” 

11) You have a goal: I have lots of goals; immediate, short term, and long term. Some of them I share with friends, family, and even the blogging world but others will never be vocalized. I am extremely competitive and I set goals for myself that I always try to beat. 

12) You’ve chilled out: Don’t sweat the small stuff and it is mostly all small stuff. This is something I have been trying to repeat over and over. I have been making a conserted effort to not worry about things if I have no ability to change the outcome and I can acknowledge that things that would have definitely gotten under my skin a few years ago now roll right off my back. 

After nodding and saying yes to all 12 of these points I must say, I feel much much better about these Facebook updates. After a handful years in the real world as an ‘adult’ apparently I am doing well! 🙂 
Signature

Subscribe

« May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor
Lancôme’s French Paradise Collection »

Related Posts

  • Wedding Postponed - Card from MintedWhy I am Postponing My Wedding
  • No Words Pregnancy LossThere Are No Words
  • Sparkles and Shoes Pregnancy Announcement Photoshoot - Plot Twist Onesies from Etsy - Parliament Big Ben London Photoshoot - Twin Pregnancy QuestionsYour Twin Pregnancy Questions Answered!
  • Sonogram Pregnancy Announcement - Expecting TwinsI am Pregnant … with Twins!

Comments

  1. Angela says

    July 25, 2015 at 6:49 pm

    I always try to remember a quote I once read.. ‘Don’t compare your behind the scenes with someone else’s highlight reel’ it’s so true especially in this world of social media. You only see what people want you to see. It’s not about what you have achieved its about how happy you are xo

  2. Janna Renee says

    July 18, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    I loved this article when I read it! Everybody does it differently, but as long as we meet these criteria we are crushing it!

  3. Danie says

    July 15, 2015 at 11:23 am

    I always felt that timelines are SO STRESSFUL and never a good way to live your life. I got married almost a decade after most of my friends (I was almost 30 and I still wasn’t in any kind of a rush) and my husband was 37. We are planning on buying a house in the next year and maybe we’ll have kids, maybe we’ll adopt, but whatever. We aren’t rushing. I was originally engaged (to someone else) when I was 21 because IT WAS THE THING TO DO (I’m from the midwest). He was a D-bag and my upcoming wedding felt like an execution, so I said “screw this” and moved to NY. I didn’t even plan to get married. Ultimately, I learned that trying to force myself onto someone else’s timeline or do it because “it’s the next stage” would have RUINED my life. It’s about doing what’s right for you! It sounds like you got your ish together and are happy. That’s what really matters! You go girl! Be proud of your life! 🙂

    Way to crush your 20’s!

    Danie

  4. Caitlin says

    July 15, 2015 at 10:08 am

    Ahh this post makes me feel so much better about my life! Thank you for sharing !

    -a single gal who is about to turn 29 in a few weeks 😉

  5. ellesees.blogspot.com says

    July 15, 2015 at 8:32 am

    i def think brunching should become a hobby! 😉

  6. Mademoiselle Coconath says

    July 14, 2015 at 11:31 pm

    Great post!!
    xx
    Mademoiselle Coconath
    http://mllecoconath.com

  7. Kaylee says

    July 14, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    I love this! I’m a couple months away from turning 25 and I am married, but I got to do lots of things before I got married (travel, study abroad, work some cool jobs, graduate from college, etc.) and I think living as a single person and having those experiences makes you a better spouse and really just a more well-rounded person. Love the blog!

    http://www.kayleecoles.com

  8. Amanda Robbins says

    July 14, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    I can totally relate! It’s hard when you compare yourself to other people, but remembering all of the things you DO have can totally change your perspective.

    xo
    Amanda
    http://www.fashionablyclearance.com

  9. Lauren says

    July 14, 2015 at 10:57 am

    This is so great! I love it!

    xx
    Lauren Elizabeth
    Petite in Pearls

  10. Liz says

    July 14, 2015 at 9:30 am

    This is a great article! I definitely find myself comparing myself to others, it’s easy enough in the social media age. Thanks for sharing!

    xo, Liz
    http://lipstickandconfetti.com

  11. Jess says

    July 14, 2015 at 9:16 am

    Hi, nice article! Check out my blog, I update it with a new look and I also wrote a new post about Kylie Jenner!

    http://jessrwardrobe.blogspot.it/

  12. Samantha says

    July 14, 2015 at 7:47 am

    Great article! I agree with all these points, and it’s important to not compare to others as everyone’s life is different!

    ~Samantha
    Blue Eyed Adventurer

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search

Newsletter

POPULAR POSTS

  • The Temple of Khnum in Esna The Temple of Khnum in Esna
  • Qatar Sand Dunes - Cars The Sand Dunes of Qatar
  • Tangerine Handbags
  • Flannel and Velvet in the Countryside Flannel Check and a Pearl Fedora
  • 2016 Golden Globes Best Dressed Jennifer Lopez in Giambattista Valli The Best Dressed at the 2016 Golden Globes

WHERE I SHOP

Amazon (US)

Amazon (UK)

Beauty Pie

Nordstrom 

Sephora

Wayfair



Archives

  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012

Fine Print

Sparkles and Shoes is a part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site or any related social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

© Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes, 2012-2022 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Donlin and Sparkles and Shoes with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Get the latest

Receive Sparkles and Shoes right to your inbox!

Connect with me

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · Designed by High Note Designs, LLC

Copyright © 2023 · Tasteful Theme on Genesis Framework