Stepping into entrepreneurship put my career path on point. My closet though? It was a complete struggle.

No matter how many Pinterest boards I made to nail down my new sense of style as an entrepreneur I just couldn’t get it together. It was time for professional help and I hopped online to find the perfect person to take me from frump to fancy!

Enter Amy Brubaker, celebrity stylist and personal shopper. 

Taking the leap to work with a pro felt intimidating. But Amy’s  relatable yet polished approach made the process simple and easy. As she helped me clear my closet and reconnect with my everyday attire to my authentic personality, it was clear that our clothes are more than what we put on in the morning. They can be a key influence in shaping our mindset. I learned from Amy that we wear has the power to shift how we feel about ourselves day in and day out.  

Here’s what she had to say about the mindset of being well dressed in today’s modern times. 

[Ashley] What brought you into the world of style? How did you get your start in the industry?
[Amy] I got my Bachelors in Costume Design with a minor in Business. I interned at a Costume House. It’s a place where Costumers rent clothing for Movies, TV, commercials, etc. I found the process of dressing people on TV fascinating and knew right away that’s the direction I wanted to go. After years of working on Films and TV, I decided to branch out and start my own styling business and that was in 2014.

[Ashley] Research has shown that the way we dress can affect our performance. Have you found that to be true for your clients?
[Amy] Yes, absolutely! What we put on in the AM is often a reflection of how we feel about ourselves. I work with my clients to help them cultivate their own sense of style and create a closet that’s full of clothes that give them confidence and makes them feel good.

[Ashley] It’s said that fashion and style are more than a statement, they are a mindset. What is your mindset when it comes to being well dressed?
[Amy] Let me be clear and say that being ‘well dressed’ is different for everyone. For myself, I want my style to reflect that I am approachable and comfortable in my own skin. I pride myself in being able find style at any price point but I especially LOVE a good bargain and passing that on to my clients.

[Ashley] What are the biggest changes in mindset that you’ve seen in clients after they have worked with you?
[Amy] I would say that there are a few things most clients share with me after we work together. They usually tell me that spending time with me, learning how to shop smarter has saved them time and money in the long run, which we can all use more of. Most of my clients reach out because they don’t like going shopping or getting dressed. After working with me, they always have more confidence and joy when it comes to clothes.
When someone sends me a selfie of themselves in a new outfit and says they feel great, that makes my day!

[Ashley] Why do you think it’s important for entrepreneurs to incorporate personality into their wardrobe?
[Amy] Hmmmmm, well two words… social media! Many of today’s entrepreneurs are got going into offices, they are working from home or maybe a co-work space. They rely on their outward appearance to make a big impact on how they are perceived in the work force. Outward appearance is more important than it ever has been. I always tell my clients if your look is not authentic to you then you aren’t going to pull it off with confidence and grace.

[Ashley] What are your 3 tips for looking stylish with minimal effort or energy?
[Amy] My first time is to shop your own closet. Try and look at your closet with different eyes and mix things up. Don’t always wear the same combos. After that, you should be honest about the clothes in your closet and get rid of things that don’t fit or you haven’t worn in a year. It’s not about how many pieces of clothing you have it’s about feeling good in every single piece. Lastly, look to places like Pinterest or Fashion Bloggers for inspiration. Pick 3 or 4 key pieces to buy each season that make your look feel more current. They exist at every price point.

The post The Mindset of Being Well Dressed – Interview With Celeb Stylist Amy Brubaker first appeared on Ashley Baxter.

At the time I was in my early 20’s, had just been laid off from my first job out of college, and had made a tough decision to move back home for a few months while I looked for my next opportunity.

It’d be safe to say I was a little lost back then with no clue what was to come next in my career. I figured there’d be no better time to work on my fitness and drop a few pounds. If it was good enough for Bey, it was good enough for me.

via GIPHY

BUT WHAT IS THE MASTER CLEANSE?

The Master Cleanse has been around for ages. It was created by nutritionist Stanley Burroughs in the 1940’s as a way to cure stomach ulcers and other digestive ailments.

The cleanse lasts for 10 days. During this time you’re allowed to drink water, herbal tea, and a “lemonade” drink that’s a concoction of fresh squeezed lemon juice, grade B maple syrup, and cayenne pepper.

Each morning you complete a salt water flush of the digestive system… aka you drink a quart of hot salty water that goes straight through your stomach to the other side. It’s like a liquid plumber for the gut if you will. Proximity to a toilet at all times is mandatory.

What I thought would be a grueling 10 days dreaming of all the pizza and cheese dip I’d eat when it was over turned into something deeper.

In that first cleanse I learned that taking an extended break from food gave me time to get reconnected with myself. I looked more deeply at what really drove my desires and reconsidered the things I truly wanted in life.

I used the time to make a few adjustments and within a few weeks I had a new job in a new city, moved back out on my own, and started a more mature phase of adult life. All of those changes weren’t the result of my time spent cleansing, but it played a big role in helping me adjust. I didn’t just lose a few pounds, I found a new clarity in the life I wanted to build for myself.

via GIPHY

HOW I USED THE MASTER CLEANSE TO REVIVE MY FOCUS & CONNECT WITH CLARITY

I’ve continued to do the Master Cleanse over the years at times when I’ve needed a reset. It’s a great way to bring myself back to center, identify unhealthy patterns, and to get extra clarity in my goals and refocus my vision.

The biggest takeaway from my master cleanse review and overall experience is that it also gives me a chance to release toxins, waste, and extra pounds I’m holding onto but no longer need. Even better is that it provides an opportunity to do the same mentally, emotionally, and energetically.

In my last cleanse I found an unhealthy pattern of accepting less than what I deserved.

I then released a happy client who loved my work but had made a habit of paying late and making me chase them down to be compensated for completed projects. I released a man I really adored who rarely made the effort to communicate through any channel other than text despite his repeated claims to be excited about dating. I released a belief that “hard work” was the key to success and allowed myself to step into more simplicity and ease with the structure of my business. I let a lot go in 10 days and felt like a new person because of it.

via GIPHY

TIPS ON GETTING THE MOST BENEFITS FROM YOUR FIRST MASTER CLEANSE PHYSICALLY & MENTALLY

Here are a few tips on using the Master Cleanse to clear both your body and mind from dead weight that no longer serves you being you being the best version of yourself.

TIP #1: Plan in advance

The biggest reason people fail to complete the cleanse is a lack of planning. Pick a timeframe to complete your cleanse when your schedule is less taxing. If there’s no such window in your calendar then create one. If you can’t seem to create one then ask yourself why making time for your own health isn’t a priority. Get real with yourself and accept your truth, whatever it may be.

Once you’ve picked a 10 day period to complete your cleanse you should plan for success. Order the things you’ll need in advance and have them ready to go at the start your cleanse vs picking up things along the way. I wrote a separate post that outlines everything you need to know like what to buy, estimated costs and more.

You can get a list of master cleanse ingredients and rules here.

TIP #2: Set an intention

Have a clear and specific reason for completing the cleanse. Most of us want to lose a few pounds, but you’ll have better results if you dig a little deeper.

Perhaps you want to get back in touch with your own voice? To identify your vices and unhealthy patterns? To find renewed energy and focus to complete a specific project? To reset your eating habits and get back to taking better care of your body overall?

Use your time cleansing to work towards a specific outcome but give yourself the flexibility to roll with whatever comes up in the process without judgement. Allow yourself 10 days to just be.

TIP #3: Use extra time wisely

During your cleanse you’ll find yourself with a bit of extra time on your hands. You’ll spend less time planning, cooking, and ordering meals. You’ll no longer need to do quite as many dishes or spend as much time shopping for food.

Take that extra time and do something good for yourself. Read (or listen to) a good book. Spend a little time in meditation. Take a new course or learn a new skill. Connect with an old friend. Get outside and enjoy nature more than you normally would. Leverage the time you’d normally spend eating to feed a different part of your soul.

via GIPHY

TIP #4: Move your body

It’s easy to think a time where you’re not eating is a time to veg out and live in couch potato land, but the opposite is true. Your body needs movement. As you move through the cleanse and release toxins your system needs circulation now more than ever.

Light exercise like a long walk, gentle yoga, or simple stretching goes a long way in helping your lymphatic remove waste from the body.

TIP #5: Release judgement

There will be times where you may feel tempted to judge yourself or others during the cleanse. You might be tempted to judge your cravings or inability to stop thinking about food. You might be tempted to judge every person that friend who knows you’re fasting but eats in front of you anyways.

Let it go. Take this time to embrace a space where there is no right or wrong way to do things. Go with the flow of what feels best and ask yourself the deeper questions surrounding your thoughts. Get past surface level judgements and reconnect with the truths that really make you tick.

A SUMMARY OF MY MASTER CLEANSE REVIEW 

The master cleanse isn’t for everyone. But if you’re up for the challenge and looking for a reset it may support your goals. I’m just a regular person who found success in using this process throughout my life. This isn’t medical or health advice and you should talk to your doctor before giving it a try.

The post How I Revive My Energy & Focus – A Master Cleanse Review first appeared on Ashley Baxter.

In this audio, I’ll share with you 67 powerful affirmations for entrepreneurs to train your brain for success, abundance, and flow in your business. Listen to these positive affirmations when you wake up in the morning or before you go to bed at night.

1. I feel confident about the entrepreneurial path I have chosen.
2. Owning my own business is my destiny.
3. I love helping clients with the products and services I provide.
4. My business makes a positive difference in the world.
5. Every day my business grows more and more successful.
6. Success and money come easily to me.
7. I create value for others and I am rewarded with abundance in my life because of it.
8. I am a smart, successful savvy business owner.
9. Whatever I want to accomplish in my business I can achieve.
10. I am here to serve and support.
11. I create daily opportunities for growth for myself and others.
12. I learned from every mistake and failure in my business and it makes me better at what I do.
13. I love what I do and my bank account is constantly growing.
14. I am passionate about my work and I take pride in providing quality to my customers.
15. I am driven by my passion and purpose in my business.
16. Money and wealth come easily to me.
17. Every day I attract my ideal clients with my positive energy and vibration.
18. My business is prepared for massive success and growth.
19. I love facing challenges and my business and finding solutions.
20. My business is exactly where it needs to be today.
21. I help others and in return, I am rewarded with abundance.
22. Things are always working out for me.
23. Through my business, I am fulfilling my purpose.
24. I treasure the freedom that business affords me.
25. Because of my work, I am happier every single day.
26. I focus on generating value through my business.
27. Every day I show gratitude for the opportunity to be my own boss.
28. I am making a positive difference in the world through my business.
29. I am a successful entrepreneur.
30. I am extraordinary at what I do.
31. I am living my dream life.
32. I am my biggest cheerleader.
33. I’m on the right path.
34. I will always believe in myself in my ability to provide value to the world.
35. My business positively impacts everyone else around me.
36. Everything that I need to be successful is already within the I love doing the work that brings me to abundance.
37. I take calculated risks and I’m positively rewarded for that.
38. I step outside of my comfort zone every single day.
39. I love telling others about the good work that I do.
40. I give myself permission to live the life I’ve always wanted starting to that I know my priorities and I’ve honored the commitments aligned with them.
41. I am supported in every step of my journey.
42. I have healthy boundaries and my business.
43. I feel competent to make the right decisions for my business.
44. My choices and decisions are aligned with my dreams.
45. When I think about my business, I feel a positive vibration.
46. I create the reality of my business with my thoughts, my words and my actions.
47. Every day I make choices for the greater good of my business.
48. I go above and beyond to keep the promises I made to my customers.
49. I am a natural-born leader.
50. I can always find a way to make anything work.
51. I have a community around me that wants to see me succeed.
52. My business is larger than me.
53. I am patient and persistent and the journey to success in my business.
54. I condition my thoughts and my actions for success.
55. I am good at implementing and executing the tasks at hand to bring success to my business.
56. Every opportunity I face is a learning opportunity.
57. I am good at managing money and resources and my business.
58. I have a positive outlook that allows me to believe in myself.
59. I approach all business matters with honor and integrity.
60. I listen to feedback about my business with an open mind.
61. I reply to customers with compassion and in between.
62. I am committed to helping those around me find success.
63. Through my business, I give back to my community.
64. I am responsible for the success of my business.
65. I embrace technology and modern innovations that make running my business easier.
66. I deserve success in my personal life and in my business.
67. I show gratitude every day for the legacy My business is creating.

The post 67 Powerful Affirmations For Entrepreneurs To Train Your Brain For Abundance first appeared on Ashley Baxter.

Sometimes your happiness is met with genuine enthusiasm and pure joy. But not always.

Your positive news might be met with a negative or apathetic response. Friends and family may rain on your parade, try to one up you, or even make you feel guilty for accomplishments.

No bueno.

Why Does This Happen?

Jealousy? Selfishness? Concern for your well-being? Fear that you’re making a mistake?

No matter the reason, it’s key to remember that it’s hard to be happy for someone else if you aren’t happy with yourself.

People who struggle to find true happiness in their own life would naturally be challenged to feel it for others. Makes sense, right?! It’s the same as asking someone who’s broke to lend you $5.

If they don’t have the resources to take care of themselves they likely won’t have it to give to you. So how can you get over the disappointment of others not sharing your joy?

Don’t Take It Personal

Feeling like others don’t want to participate in our joy can hurt. We might feel sadness at the assumption we’re at fault or that the other person has it out for us. Neither is true.

It’s simply not personal.

A co-worker who isn’t happy for your promotion could be wishing to make progress in their own career. A parent unhappy with their child going to college could be upset at the thought of having an empty nest. A friend who frowns on the success of your business could be struggling with the failure of their own.

Any of those situations on the surface could be labeled as “this person isn’t happy for me”. However, at the core, none of them are personal at all.

What Can You Do?

It’s tempting to get mad or assign a negative label to the person who isn’t able to share your joy. Instead shift your mindset.

Turn the situation around by:

1. Holding Onto Your Own Happiness
   It might be tempting to downplay your happiness so that others aren’t uncomfortable. Don’t. Enjoy your moment. Celebrate on your own terms in a way that allows you to fully express how happy you really are.
2. Accept The Other Person As They Are… Or Don’t
   When someone isn’t happy for you it’s tempting to label them as jealous, self-centered, or controlling. Yet, those labels won’t get you to your end destination which is to enjoy your moment. You can accept the other person as they are or you can choose not to. Accepting them means knowing they may not react the way you’d hope. If you can’t accept that you might filter what information you share with them.
3. Find Others Who Want To Celebrate With You
   There is someone in  your life who wants to celebrate with you. It might be a teacher, a classmate, a co-worker, or even someone in a Facebook forum of like-minded people. Know that there is always someone who wants to see you succeed. That person might be a total stranger, and that’s OK.

The post What To Do When People Aren’t Happy For You first appeared on Ashley Baxter.

What are affirmations?

Affirmations are statements you create around your goals and dreams that help train your brain to positive thoughts and possibilities.

In your affirmations, you declare your desires to be true. Studies have shown that doing this actually helps them come to reality. It doesn’t happen overnight, but the idea makes a lot of sense if you think about it. By simply believing that the things you desire could actually be yours you’ll be more likely to make actions towards getting them.

How To Write Affirmations

So where do you get affirmations?

You can Google affirmations and find hundreds of lists for every topic you can think of. From love, to work, to health, to wealth… many wise people have written detailed affirmations that you are free to copy.

However, your affirmations will have a larger impact on your life if you take a few minutes to focus them on things that you’re currently struggling with.

• STEP 1

  Grab a pen and paper, set a timer for 10 minutes, and write down any self-judgments, roadblocks, or negative thoughts that are holding you back and squashing your motivation.

• STEP 2

  Review that list. For each item, write a self-affirming statement that speaks the opposite of that feeling to be true. Here’s an example:

  Roadblock
  “I’ll never find my soulmate or be loved.”

  Affirmation
  “I am worthy of love and the person I’m meant to spend my life with will come into my life.”

• STEP 3

  After you’ve written your affirmations, create a schedule in which you’ll repeat them out loud or write them down. Then stick to it!

Why Repeating Your Affirmations Is So Important

On days when you need a little extra something to stay motivated, your affirmations can help keep you focused. It’s often said that you are what you think. Adding this bit of positive energy to your routine keeps your mind thinking good vibes. Those good feelings will start to spill into other areas of your life as well.

Take note of how you feel both before and after you repeat or re-write your affirmations. Chances are, you’ll feel much better afterwards.

It’s normal to feel some resistance when you start this process. If you aren’t accustom to reminding yourself of the possibilities it can feel forced. Some people often refer to the use of affirmations as a “fake it til’ you make it” exercise which feels a little disingenuous.

But that’s the point!

If you reject the hope and truth in the awesome things you wrote as your affirmations why would they ever become real? That’s why it’s important to push through. Read your affirmations until they feel real. Knowing that they are possible helps bring them to life.

Have you written you affirmations? How do you use them to stay motivated? Tell me in the comments below.

The post #MotivationMonday – Write & Repeat Your Affirmations first appeared on Ashley Baxter.

Change your environment!

In the corporate world that can mean getting up and going for a walk around the building or making sure to leave your desk for lunch. But what can you do when you’re tied to a laptop and on a deadline?

One of my favorite things is changing the environment between my ears. That’s right, I listen to something uplifting!

You can pop in your headphones and control your auditory stimulation now. What should you listen to? Well it all depends on what really gets you going. A few of my faves are:

Motivational Speeches

Sometimes a good pep talk can boost your motivation and get you in gear. I love the “Today is the Day” playlist on Spotify. It’s a playlist of motivational speeches that make me feel a bit like I’m back in my high school gym waiting to take the court before a game. If truth bombs and tough love are your thing, this one is for you.

Uplifting YouTube Videos

I’m a huge fan of inspirational speakers like Lisa Nichols, Abraham Hicks, and Tony Robbins. Did you know that there are tons of playlists of YouTube with the videos that you can listen to throughout the day? Pick your favorite speaker and do a Google search for their name + “YouTube playlist”. You’ll be surprised at the gems you find.

• Abraham Hicks
• Tony Robbins
• Louise Hay
• Lisa Nichols
• Wayne Dyer
• Bob Proctor

Happy Electronic Music

Something about EDM makes me really happy. The rhythm makes my body feel alive. The language is usually about happy feelings (if there are even any words at all). I can get totally lost in the beat and quickly shake any thoughts that might encourage me to procrastinate. My go to fave is ElectroPositivity on Spotify.

Guided Meditations

When most people think of meditations they think of being guided into peaceful bliss with their eyes closed. What I’ve found however, is that guided meditations are actually great triggers to reset your mindset for motivation in the middle of the day. As long as your meditation isn’t designed for a restful night’s sleep, you should be fine to take in its message as you work the day away. Oprah and Deepak Chopra have great guided meditations on a variety of topics. Their collections have gotten A+ ratings from myself and a number of my friends.

What do you listen to for motivation during the weekday? Share your tips in the comments below.

The post #MotivationMonday Tip – Create A Playlist for Positive Vibes first appeared on Ashley Baxter.

As the New Year creeps closer many of us will begin to write out our lists of new years resolutions. For most, it’s a timeless tradition passed down through generations.

The most common resolutions are related to weight loss, eating a healthier diet, being smarter with finances, and spending time more efficiently. All are perfectly good things to focus on improving.

What’s The Best One?

Yet, there is one resolution that goes unnoticed. There is one thing you could focus on in 2016 that would make all your other goals a million times easier to reach. Do you want to know what it is?

The most important new years resolution you can make in 2016 is to live a more conscious life. 

Yes, it is really that simple. Being more conscious in your everyday life choices will give you a strong foundation to accomplish literally anything you want to achieve. From your love life, to your family, to your career, or even your overall happiness, giving thought to the things that seem routine help you make decisions that get you closer to what you want.

You’re probably wondering why everyone doesn’t live consciously if it’s so easy, right?

That is because the hard part of conscious living is facing the truths uncover head on and doing something about them. Even more difficult will be learning to accept the ugliest truths for exactly what they are and finding peace in that.

Conscious Living vs Common Living

A great example is someone who makes a resolution each year to lose weight and exercise more but never manages to get in a workout.

The common man or woman would claim “I haven’t lost the weight because I am too busy to exercise.” From there, the common individual might:

• Continue to complain about their weight.
• Continue to whine about their inability to find time to exercise.
• Blame their lack of progress on other people, obligations, or their busy schedule.
• Feel with anger, shame or frustration if someone asks why they haven’t met their weight loss goals.

The conscious man or woman would claim “I haven’t lost the weight because I am too busy to exercise. I am too busy to exercise because I haven’t prioritized it in my schedule.” In that statement you see the conscious realization that it isn’t the busy schedule which prevents the exercise but the lack of prioritization. From there, the conscious individual would do one of two things:

• Accept that they are comfortable staying at their current weight because they don’t want to prioritize exercise in their schedule and make peace with their decision.
• Rearrange their schedule to make exercise a priority. This means they may have to make difficult decisions on what to remove from their schedule. Those decisions may lead to uncomfortable conversations with others regarding why their priorities have changed.

The common approach is comfortable. The conscious approach lives in truth. Knowing the truth pushes you to acceptance or action. The first brings peace and the latter brings a need to get outside your comfort zone and make change. The choice is yours every single day with every single decision you make.

How Does Resolving to Live Consciously Make a Difference?

Resolving to live consciously means you no longer accept life on auto-pilot. Your routine is no longer just a routine. You now have the power to get to the source of what you feel is holding you back from living the life you want. You now carry the ability to unveil the truths that will help you make steps to make changes for the better.

Those sometimes ugly truths may lead you to realize that it’s time to change your environment. That could mean leaving a comfortable job, a long relationship, or moving yourself or your family across the country. The truth could bring you to realize that in order to meet your resolutions you need to change your perspective. If you don’t want to do that, you can live in peace knowing that you aren’t ready to make that step.

Embrace this resolution, to live a conscious life, as your number one focus and watch your other resolutions fall into place with more ease than ever before. Your life is never going to be better than you decide to make it right now, so make a conscious decision to live out your fullest potential.

The post The Single Most Important Resolution You Can Make This New Years first appeared on Ashley Baxter.

Every experience is an opportunity to learn a lesson that helps shape us into a more evolved being. The good. The bad. The ugly.

There are a few lessons in particular that, once learned, make the journey much easier.

31 LIFE LESSONS FROM A TRIP AROUND THE SUN

1.Pack light. When traveling, never take more items than you need. In life, never carry more emotional baggage with you than is required to get to your next destination. Shed the excess.

2. Measure material goods in sentimental value, not monetary value. Things are things. Attachment causes worry. Let go, let flow.

3. But always back up your hard drive… because having your laptop stolen sucks.

4. Instead of debating purchases, ask yourself… “In 5 years, will this still be a memory”? Proceed accordingly.

5. List your priorities. If you say something (or someone) matters but “don’t have time” take a look at that list of priorities and adjust accordingly.

6. Reevaluate your priorities every 90 days. As you grow older and wiser they will change for the better. Let them go stale and you’ll keep chasing things you no longer need to be happy.

7. Sometimes life’s bullsh*t is fertilizer. My pawpaw always covered his fields in manure to produce stronger crops. Sometimes you have to be surrounded by crap to reach your full potential.

8. Keep spare keys. For. Everything. 

9. You are Mr./Mrs. Right. The more fun you have with yourself the more opportunities you have to meet someone at your vibration. 

10. 99.9% of the time it’s not about you. Everyone has their own doubts, fears, agendas, hopes, and dreams. You are the center of your own universe and no one else’s.

11. Trust your gut but also question it. Why is it telling you what it’s telling you?  The answer provides lessons to help you in similar situations.

12. Never underestimate the power of kindness.

13. Be brave. Take risks. Do at least one thing that makes you uncomfortable every single day. Nothing extraordinary happens inside your comfort zone.

14. Own your ability to make decisions. Some things we are born with. Everything else in your life is a direct result of something you decided to do. Bask in the awesomeness of your authority over yourself.

15. Realize that saying sorry is nice, but its power weakens when it’s overused. Let your actions to convey whatever it is that you think needs correcting.

16. Breathe in moments of uncertainty. We go all primal brain (fight or flight) when the going gets tough. Training yourself to take a breath can create space for your problems to solve themselves.

17. Hone your discernment. Remove what doesn’t serve you as your highest self from your life without apology. It’s often a silent process and sometimes no words need to be spoken.

18. Believe people when they show you who they are. If it walks, talks, quacks, and acts like a duck it’s a duck.

19. Stay curious. When you don’t fully understand something, being judgmental or defensive won’t bring you closer to comprehension. Simply ask questions and take the time to learn more.

20. Take care of your body. You only get one and spare parts are hard to come by. Your legs can run marathons, climb mountains, & move you across oceans. 

21. Learn how to fuel your body. Every person needs different things. Don’t assume a one size fits all approach will work. 

22. And also learn where your food comes from. As more people ask questions, mass food production standards will improve for us all.

23. Spend less time wondering what other people are thinking, and more time asking yourself how you feel.

24. Detox from technology regularly. It’s normal to live a super connected life but don’t let your digital reality be a damper on your actual reality.

25. Don’t fake it til you make. Be your authentic self and appreciate where you are in the moment before you get where you’d like to be.

26. Question the foundation of your complaints. The act of complaining isn’t going to fix anything. But understanding why you felt a need to complain in the first place gives you a place to start in making your situation better.

27. Don’t worry about haters. It means you’re doing something worth hating.

28. Say hello or good morning to everyone, especially those who don’t say it back or respond grumpily. They are usually the most in need of kindness.

29. Give without condition. Not from expectation of reciprocal effort or what’s in it for you. Unconditional giving removes stress, anxiety, and brings a lot more joy to sharing your life with others.

30. Travel. Travel now. Travel frequently. Travel with family. Travel with friends. Travel alone. Don’t wait to see the world until the time is right. The right time is always now and there’s an adventure waiting right around the corner every day.

31. Your perception is reality. Everything in life is truly that simple. Build a strong mindset centered on gratitude, positivity, and abundance.  You have everything you need to live the life you want if you’d just believe it.

The post 31 Life Lessons From A Trip Around The Sun first appeared on Ashley Baxter.