BE YOU

It’s no shock that I have gone through phases of who I want to be and what I want to mold myself into. I always thought I had to fit into some sort of category and pushing the boundaries into any of the other categories was committing a social crime. However, recently I have come to realize that placing yourself in one category only opens you up to that part of the world – you are not able to discover all of the other things the world has to offer and you will become unknowingly isolated. If you want to be the girl who shops in book shops, drinks coffee, and talks about the latest French films, be that girl. If you want to be the girl who likes to go on dates, wants to enjoy life to the fullest, and loves partying, be that girl too. If you just want to be the girl who is overflowing with optimism, wants to be a successful business woman, and a mother, then be her TOO. There is not a template for life that you have to follow and if others are throwing their handmade templates at you then you need to do some recycling. My hope is that one day we will be able to consciously choose what we want first instead of thinking what others might want us to do or what expectations they may have for us.

Don’t be afraid to be the girl that everyone loves. Don’t be afraid to be the girl that everyone hates. Be the girl that you love and everything else will come in time. You have the ability to do whatever you want with your life. All you need to do is get out there and do it. You don’t need to fit into anything, you just need to exist and transform into something you’re proud of calling you.

THE NOW

Everyone has a view of who they want to be in 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years. With endless options for our futures, we often forget or minimize the idea of the “now”.

I have come to learn that thinking too much about the future puts less of an emphasis on the present. If we are completely consumed with pondering on our future advances in life we will never truly be content with where we are now. Life is a beautiful thing that should be enjoyed; even the hardships. When we focus on the present but have an idea of our future we will be in a better place to make decisions for ourselves.

As easy as it is to go through our day focusing on what we are going to do tonight, tomorrow, or next week. What if we were to stop all of that thinking and look for opportunities that are happening right now? We need to stop being so wrapped up in looking straight down when we walk, allow our eyes to gaze up at the people walking down the street and be alert so that we can help those around us who need it but are not asking. Doing these things not only gives us a better understanding of those around us and how we fit into the chaos, but it will allow ourselves to experience the opportunities we would have missed out on had we been too worried about what we were going to cook for dinner.

My hope is that while thinking about who we want to be and aspiring to do great things, we don’t forget who we are now. Change does not start a year from now. Change starts right now and where we are today.

Be spontaneous, be carefree, and be a little bit grounded. But don't let the future come in between of the “now”.

2015

Happy 2015! I hope you're enjoying the first few glimpses of what the new year has to offer! There is so much to do this year and I cannot wait to get started with all of my goals! If you've been following my social media accounts you'll have seen some BIG changes in my life! I'm moving to Australia at the beginning of February and I've joined Younique as a presenter! 

All of that being said, I will be updating this blog regularly and the content will be directed specifically towards my life and travels as well as products I'm loving. It's no coincidence that I'm with Younique now because of how much I truly love makeup and different products that can help us all out. 

I'm also looking into starting a YouTube channel to post vlogs/videos so my friends and family at home can see what I'm up to at their own leisure. The time difference in Australia is going to take some getting used to but I'm not worried. YouTube would just allow us both to be able to stay in touch even if it isn't live. 

So, thank you for being so supportive and being with me through 2014! 

Let's keep on loving life in 2015!

Ashley