Life Lists

We all see them.

"25 things you NEED to do in your 20's."

"10 things you shouldn't have in your closet."

"30 things you should have by your 30s."

I hate these headlines.  Some of them can be pretty useful.  Yes you should be considering saving for your retirement, and yes you should travel by yourself at some point, and NO you should NOT be wearing that too tight bodycon dress with cutouts in the sides and the skirt so short you can see parts no one should see at the age of 30.  But many of THOSE are common sense.  What I don't like are those lists that persecute personal likes and dislikes.  

This thought process was brought about by an article I saw online today about 10 things that "need to stop" on Instagram.  For about half of them, I was totally guilty of doing.  Obligatory latte pic?  If it's pretty looking, you bet I'm going to post it!  It's like displaying a piece of coffee art.  Someone made it, and I bet they like their work being displayed.  It's appreciation, and recognition in the beauty of something simple.  It may not be the most creative, but it's my Instagram account.

Why do people feel so entitled to judge others online?  This drives me crazy.  I can't say that I am 100% innocent of this- I am in fact human and have my faults- but what I can't wrap my head around is the idea of people feeling like they can be a critic of others' personal choices because they spend too much time on social media and think that because of this it makes them an expert. If they stepped out of social media world for just a minute, they might actually realize that judging these other people doesn't make them better or more important.  It just kind of makes them jerks.  I realize the irony here is that I'm judging them, but it's to make a point.

I don't justify my life anymore by the choices that other people make.  I'm not in a race with anyone else to win at life, and I certainly do not have the average lifestyle of someone who has the thought process to make up a list of things you should/shouldn't do/have by age x.  I'm 31, and I like my life.  I like who I am and what I do.  There is always room for improvement, and there are always lessons to be learned, but I am not going to live my life by someone else's list.  Every person is on their own journey, and experiences things at different points.  Every experience is unique to the individual.  

So here is MY list for every day when I can-

1.  Be you.

2. Be confident in being you.

3.  Enjoy it.

4. Practice kindness.

5. Be mindful.

6. Allow yourself to feel your emotions.  

7. Be silly.

8. Laugh.

9. Love with all your soul.

10.  Follow your happiness.  

I think that about sums it up.  And if you don't like that list, make your own!