♡ Real Talk... Growing Up ♡

Well well well.... Growing up? I guess I'm talking about the responsibility that comes with it rather than physical changes which would be a different post altogether. When I first started my blog I was 16. Now I'm turning 19 in the next couple months and, to be quite honest, I still have a tough time imagining me as an 'adult'. Whenever I do "grown up things" I find myself looking at the mirror, thinking "Why is a child allowed to do this?" and that's just it, I'm not a child and I cannot pinpoint when that happened.

I first became aware of all the responsibilities that came with living alone and growing up when I studied abroad. Did you know that your bathroom isn't self cleaning? Also drains need to be unclogged and if you don't do it, there's a whole other problem. Your fridge doesn't get stocked overnight? You might find yourself eating canned corn with a spoon on the couch wishing you lived next to a 24 hour supermarket. Bills have to be payed? Or your utilities can be shut down. Deadlines have to be met? Or you can fail a class or lose your job. Laundry has to be done? Or you'll find yourself going through your hamper looking for the least disgusting pair of jeans to wear (TMI, I apologize). It's a lot to deal with and having a great support system is my number one tip.

It isn't as scary as movies make it out to be... It happens gradually, you'll start taking up different responsibilities. You'll know that all those chores your parents made you do weren't because they hated you, they were preparing you for real life. Also, while we're on the subject of parents, they want what's best for you... Despite, having an odd way of showing it at times. They will love you unconditionally no matter what.

You'll know that you're changing when you go to your friend's beach house and while making eggs, you might find yourself complaining that the frypan isn't nonstick. By the way, if you don't have a nonstick frypan, invest in one... seriously... life changing... When your friends spend all day at the beach and you'll be saying things like "Don't forget to apply sunscreen" or when your boyfriend drops you off at home and you'll say "Text me when you get home safely". As you become more responsible, you'll start to cherish things more. Little things that were once overlooked.

I guess what I'm saying is growing up isn't all bad, certainly not easy but despite what your peter pan complex might say, you can't be a kid forever. Love unconditionally. Put yourself out there. What others think about you, doesn't define you. Don't waste time thinking about what could have been. Don't overthink. Have fun. Enjoy yourself. 

♡ Real Talk... Moving/Foreign Exchange ♡

Hey guys!

I figured it was about time that I talk to you about some stuff that I know many of you deal with or will have to in the future. So now, I'm starting this new 'series' type of thing called Real Talk where I'll talk to you about something. As you can tell by the title this first one is about moving...

Back story first, I have quite the track record when it comes to moving. I've lived in a few different countries and switched schools several times so trust my advice on this, ok? My first big move was to the USA and I was very young so I don't remember it too well. I remember not speaking the language and how hard it was at first. But after a few months I'd already learned english and everything was swell once again!

But when I moved from the USA to Brazil, I was already a teenager and let me tell you... It was HARD. I had a whole life back in the US, I had great friends, a boyfriend type of thing, I loved my school, I had everything. Meanwhile, I had nothing in Brazil and I'd forgotten most of my Portuguese since I had spoken english for the past 8 years. I spent a very long time denying that I was back, I'd focus strictly on my life back in America and wouldn't do anything in Brazil. I'd spend the entire year counting down to the day when I'd go visit. I closed myself off from meeting new people because I was in denial.

It took me a year or two of struggling and being unhappy to figure out that the only problem was me. I was denying myself from participating, from making new friends and from being happy. So I decided to try. In a few months, I'd already made new friends and I had plans every weekend. Life was good once again. So don't be afraid to put yourself out there! People are nicer than we tend to think, most people won't reject you. Don't focus on your old life, work on making your new life the best it can be.

Now, after that I moved to France and it was a little different. Once again, I didn't speak the language but I was already 17 and knew who I was. I'd already had the experience of living in a different country. But this time around I didn't have my parents with me. Making friends was easy, if you're a foreign exchange student it's likely that you'll bond with other exchange students. They're the only ones who fully understand what you're going through. Some of the people I met during this time are people I consider my best friends. It also helps you figure out who your real friends are back home.

Getting used to a new culture, a new routine is difficult but if you're considering foreign exchange it's something you have to do. My advice is don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to talk to people, to ask for help, to try new things, to speak the language, to make mistakes, to share how you really feel. Just don't be afraid. Your fear is what will hold you back so get comfortable with being uncomfortable. At the end of the day, the whole experience is extremely rewarding and you'll come back with new friends, new stories, a home away from home and you'll be a new you. More responsible and more independent. Take it from me, it's hard. But it's also one of the best things you'll ever do.

I hope this was helpful to some of you, if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask me!