Let’s Talk Development

Let’s Talk Development

by | Jul 20, 2020 | lifestyle

Coming from a generation that was raised to go to school, get involved in extracurricular activities, go to a good college, choose a good major – either medicine, law, or business – and once you graduate you will be able to land a decent job. Similar to our parents, our life path was supposed to be a straight shot. You would progress in life from there;  maybe purchase a house, build a family, etc – but something changed.  Once my generation began graduating things got real. Many of us felt useless, played, and a little distraught. Which makes it really hard to shake the societal timeline that has been embedded in us since birth.

Where was the picture-perfect life our parents painted for us?

We were always told as long as we did what we were supposed to do we would land a decent job. Now as “Millennials”, our only objective is to score a job – any job. Sometimes it’s hard to pick yourself up, especially when you can see so many other youth prospering, and living the life of their dreams. Did we pave the way for those youngsters or what? We are now in the day and age where anything we could possibly fathom is right at our fingertips. The internet and social media have become places of endless possibilities. Things, people, and places that were once untouchable are now available to anyone who desires. With all that said, the world today isn’t totally hopeless; it just takes some creativity and ambition.

You say creativity … yes, think about it.

Social media really changed our interpersonal communication, the way we think and interact. Now we can feel like we’re right next to someone even though they’re 600,000,000 miles away. We must continue to evolve and work on ourselves. That’s the only way we will reach our highest potential. To those still struggling with their life purpose, here are a few tips I used over the past five years that have helped me develop myself and now I’m sharing to help develop you.

 

GET GROUNDED IN YOUR FAITH AND WORSHIP

Building a strong relationship in a grounded faith, can carry you in so many ways you can’t imagine. When you have no one else to turn to, you can always look to a good scripture, sermon, or affirmation to turn your perspective around. Also, you must find friends who pray and actively seek God in their life. Keeping a strong spiritual circle is number one when trying to develop your full potential. This road is not easy and you continuously will lose and find yourself.

READ

Any self-help, inspirational books take time to read it. Even if you skim over it, you can still pull important facts, become enlightened, and discover some new information you may not have known before.

Here are a few books I suggest reading: Becoming, Purpose Driven Life, Dear White People, Fail Fast Fail Often, You’re A Badass, The Alchemist, The Secret To Success, and Girlboss.

INVEST TIME IN THOSE WHO REALLY MATTER

You need a community, whether it’s a big or small group of family, friends, or associates.

LET GO OF GRUDGES

Letting go of grudges is a great opportunity as well to bring peace in your heart and soul. Being angry takes too much energy.

TALK

You can not hold everything into yourself, it’s not good for you or your mind. We were put on this earth to share not only our gifts but our knowledge. It’s okay, no one can be you but you.

EXPERIENCE LIFE

Every opportunity you get take the chance or risk and just do it! You live everyday, so move with intent.

INVEST IN YOURSELF

That goes for literally (insurance policy, IRA, stocks, bonds, deeds, titles, and LLC’s). In the non-literal sense (take workshops, travel, explore new routes, meet up with new and old friends, and self-care).

CRY

It’s okay, things aren’t easy when you are developing yourself and no-one said you have to be perfect. You are going to mess up or get yourself into sticky situations. So release these emotions or they will block your thinking process in the future. Healing is good for your soul/spirit and necessary for you to evolve.

TRAVEL

By traveling you can receive a plethora of different perspectives, and you are also able to make worldwide connections that you never know where they may take you.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE ALONE

Ever heard the saying “it’s lonely at the top?” Being alone is not a bad thing, don’t look at it that way. Being alone allows you time to regroup your mind and recharge your brain.

In total, I’m still developing me, but I wanted to share these cool tidbits to help anyone who may be feeling how I once felt. People stay evolving and thanks for reading!

XOXO

Let’s Talk Travel

Let’s Talk Travel

by | Jul 2, 2020 | travel

Amina Vetum is a world traveler originally from Greenville, SC who now resides in the nation’s Capitol, works a full-time job and still manages to make time for her passion. I’m really excited to share the details from our most recent interview – so here goes:

When did you start traveling?

I traveled while I was younger, but didn’t really start to travel until I was 24.

What’s your favorite travel childhood memory?

It’s not a favorite travel memory, but the first time I flew on a plane, my ears popped so bad I couldn’t hear for about 3 hours after the flight. I was crying, my parents were scared and we were about to head to the emergency room until BOOM! They popped lol.

When did you develop a passion for traveling?

When I visited Guadeloupe in 2016 (my first solo trip), I realized that all I wanted to do was see the world. I dream about learning new customs and hearing different languages. Trying new foods and seeing new fashions are all things that make my heart race, yet slow down, both at the same time.

How many places have you traveled to (please list)?

Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Aruba, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Nigeria, Belize, Spain, Italy, Malta, and France

What’s your favorite place so far?

Nigeria, because it’s home, so it actually doesn’t count. Spain! I loved the fashions, the food, the people just everything. I feel like if I ever lived there, I would be my truest and best self there, lol.

What’s the most interesting/best food you’ve tried?

Most interesting food was shark in Iceland (It’s fermented and the most disgusting thing I’ve tried, BUT it was an experience!), and live squid in China. The best food was in Nigeria (Suya with agege bread), Korea (EVERYTHING), Montreal (Poutine) and Malta(fish and potatoes). And what makes it even better is all of these were insanely cheap & ridiculously fresh food!

Which country has the friendliest people?

Belize, by far! I felt the safest here, people spoke and were all around helpful. What’s your fav foreign word or phrase you’ve learned so far? Eonni (pronounced on-nee). It’s a title similar to “aunty” for Nigerians. It means big sister in Korean, and is a sign of respect. My friends Daisy, Minji and Suelgi (who I met when they moved to SC to study abroad) all call me this because I am older than them.

Hotel, Hostel, or AirBnB?

Hostel. As much as I love the luxury of hotels, I ALWAYS make lifelong friends by staying in hostels.

What’s the worst/best piece of travel advice you received?

If you can’t travel together, the relationship won’t work. I have yet to have a BAEcation, but I truly believe in this. I need to know you aren’t going to be that annoying person freaking out over every bug, over people’s living conditions and scared to go to the REAL part of whatever city we are visiting. Traveling is a huge part of my life and I plan on doing it until I die, so if you can’t be a part of traveling, you can’t be my husband.

What’s your top travel tip?

Don’t wait on friends. If no one can go with you, GO. You’ll wait for every waiting on others.

What place is top of your bucket list?

Dakaar, Senegal

What is your dream travel experience?

My dream travel experience would be based out of Spain, and to jet set every weekend to a new country (flights are super inexpensive from Spain), while making new friends along the way, drinking good sangria while getting a tan on a beach off of the Indian Ocean laughing with friends.

Would you ever consider being a travel consultant?

Becoming a travel consultant is my current focus. I feel as though I find a new part of me each time I travel, and I want to help others travel and find pieces of themselves as well!

What’s next for this Nigerian beaut? If you’re Interested in following Amina’s adventures check out her instagram page @aminawithoutborders. You can also visit her website www.aminawithoutborders.com to catch up on all of her exciting adventures  – hope you enjoyed!

XOXO