As with everything in life, there are two sides to this story. On one side is the lesson that we must accept these challenges and the negative feelings that come with them as a part of life. This will never change. But I’m not here to dwell on that side of the story. I’m here to share with you the lessons I’ve learned about the other side–the side of the story that teaches us how to unlock happiness.
A few months ago, I decided that this was the summer I would go to Europe. The only issue was that I had no one to go with. For a while, I frantically tried to find friends to travel with me, but then I realized that I had never truly gone anywhere by myself. I went to the same college as my older sister, and I had friends in all the places I’ve moved to. I never knew what it was like to go somewhere completely alone where I would have to figure things out for myself. Since, I didn’t have anyone to go with, I figured now was a great time to test myself to see what I can do.
I decided to go to Italy, and today wrapped up the last day of my one-week solo vacation. Looking back, I want to brush my shoulder and say, “That was a breeze!”, but, in truth, a lot of planning, preparation, and worrying went into this trip. However, since I arrived, it has been one of the most enjoyable experiences I have ever had, and I am so happy I made the decision to come. I prepared for this trip by researching tips from other solo travelers, and I learned a few valuable lessons that every Single Girl traveling alone outside the country should know. Here are my top bits advice to help you stay safe while traveling alone.
There are many men who will come in and out of our lives but there is one who rises above the rest– our dads. When I look back on my childhood and what it took to raise me into the young woman I am today, I can truly see how difficult the role of “dad” is to fill. It’s takes a brave man to step into those shoes. Speaking from my experience, I know that girls, especially in our teenage years, are not always the easiest bunch to deal with. We want our freedom but also our dad’s protection. We want to learn but also to discover things on our own. We want to be told we’re beautiful but to be valued for more than our looks.
This Sunday June 15th we will celebrate the men who have raised us to become the fierce, fearless, and aspiring women we are today. In preparation for Father’s Day, we’ve asked several of our Single Girl contributors to tell us the most important lessons they’ve learned from their dads. Read on for the lessons we’ve learned and then let us know– What is the best lesson you’ve learned from your dad?
Yet, as difficult as it may be, keeping up these relationships is important for many of us. These are the girls that knew us in our crazy years. The ones who helped us get into our best relationships and out of our worst ones. The friends who we pulled all night-ers with in the library and at the bars. They are the girls that know us best and that no matter what will always be our closest crew.
To help you keep the those relationships ties as strong as ever, we’ve got 6 tricks to keep you and your crew connected no matter how much distance keeps you apart. Check our list and then share your tops tips with us!
Photo via Stephanie Rausser Photography
Since quitting my job last November I have been hitting the side hustle – hard. One of my most lucrative undertakings has been serving as a dog sitter for DogVacay.com. The site matches dogs and their owners with people in their neighborhood who are willing to offer their services as sitters and walkers. For someone like me who would love to own a dog but realistically knows she’s not ready for that kind of commitment, it’s great. It’s like being the aunt- you get all of the fun of watching a dog without the long term cost and responsibility of owning one.
When I started dog sitting it was purely with the aim of making money. Six dogs later, dog sitting has delivered a surprising and unexpected reward. My days of dog sitting have actually taught me lessons on how to live a happier life. It might sound crazy but it’s true.
As you head into your weekend, consider these three lessons and how you can apply them to your own soon to be happier life!