Follow these commandments to be your most fabulous self.
1)Smile- Oftentimes it takes a happy occasion or memory to trigger a smile, but did you know that a smile, even a fake one, has been proven to improve our short-term mood? Physician Cliff Kuhn M.D. reports that smiling increases endorphin amounts, boosts immunity, raises tolerance for pain and frustrationand heightens levels of creativity. Wearing a smile makes you appear more approachable, attractive and confident. You have the ability to brighten anyone’s mood with a grin and compliments a fabulous outfit!
2) Know how to be there for someone- It’s not always easy to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on, especially when you’re busy or have your own issues to worry about. Taking the time to listen to someone else’s problems and offer some constructive advice is an essential gesture of friendship. Being there for others isn’t instinctual for everybody, but simply offering to help can make a big impact. In most cases, a simple, “What can I do?” or “You look like you need to talk” will help you identify what that person needs and how you can help. It shows that you are selfless and willing to listen, which are traits everyone admires!
3)Play nice, and know how to pick your battles- Who says nice gals finish last? Being kind to everyone doesn’t make you a pushover or weak. It makes you a decent human being! You don’t have to like everyone you meet, but maintaining a cordial relationship with people, even your foes, will ensure a life with less drama and stress. On the other hand, it’s important to know when to be assertive to stand your ground and demand change. If you are being disrespected, unfairly treated, or see something that isn’t right, you might have to speak up in a manner which might not be interpreted as very “nice.” Just remember, whenever you interact with someone, always do it with respect for yourself and others and always with class!
4)Strive for your best, not someone else’s- You are the only you there will ever be, so why waste your time trying to be a copy of someone else? Recognize what it is about you that makes you unique. What are your talents, strengths and interests? Identify these things and work on pursuing them further. They are what make you, you! Strive for your best body by eating right and exercising regularly, not Heidi Klum’s best body. Strive to do your best in school, not your best friend’s best. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Once you start to compare, you start to compete. Congratulate others on their success and recognize good role models. Run your own race, but never lose sight of who you are or your own personal path.
5)Listen your heart…and gut- You only live once, so use your time on this planet to pursue your passions. There will be people who encourage you do one thing or discourage you from another. The choice is ultimately yours, so figure out what you love to do. While you are listening to your heart, take time to pay attention to your gut, too. Woman’s intuition is a real thing! If something feels wrong or doesn’t sit well with you, follow your instincts and fix the situation.
6) Know how to dress- You don’t have to be a fashion editor at Vogue to know how to pick out an outfit, and you don’t need a loaded bank account to buy style. Make a good impression through your actions, what comes out of your mouth and by how you present yourself. It’s fine to dress however you want when you are hanging out with friends or family, but you’ll want to be prepared to dress for the occasion when the time comes for a serious job interview or important function. You don’t have to lose your personality when you dress up. Determine your style and tailor it to your budget and event. If you like to dress comfortably in jeans, a t-shirt and converse, dark, flared slacks with a solid colored fitted tee and flats portrays a personality similar to your everyday attire. Similarly, if you like to wear brightly colored skirts and flouncy dresses, a floral blouse and pencil skirt will fit your everyday style. It’s not jut about the clothes, but how you wear them. Remember,”fashions fade, style is eternal,” said Yves Saint-Laurent.
7)Shake things up- When was the last time you did something for the first time? If you can’t answer that in 10 seconds, then you need to mix it up a little bit! Alex Lickerman, M.D. agrees that doing new things helps you grow. Go country dancing, try a new work-out, cook something outrageous, eat something you thought you’d never taste in your life, volunteer at an animal shelter, learn how to play the banjo or visit a town you’ve never been to! Don’t let yourself get boring! Life is short, so do as much as you can and keep life fresh and fun.
8) Manage your money now- Just because you’re a teen doesn’t mean you are too young to get serious about your money. The sooner you learn how to manage your money, the better off you’ll be in the years to come. If you get an allowance, or a paycheck, refrain from blowing it all in one shopping trip. Instead, save a portion of it for “future investments” like that expensive camera or dress you’ve had your eye on. Saving up your own money will give you a feeling of maturity and pride that only being able to buy your own big-ticket items can bring. You can also designate a portion of your money to a college fund. The first steps to managing your money is prioritizing your needs and wants and allotting the appropriate amount to each one. Start these habits now and you’ll be a pro by the time you start making serious money.
9) Know when to take a time out- We all get stressed every once in a while. It’s important to recognize when you have reached your limit and take a breather. Find de-stressing techniques that help you relax. Dr. Mehmet Oz suggests eating fruits high in vitamin C, pistachios and drinking dark tea. If you don’t have any of these things on hand, read a book, take a bubble bath or listen to some soothing music! Bottom line is that you should always take the time to listen to your body and give it the break it needs.
10) Stay in touch- Stay in the loop! With so much going on in our world, you don’t want to be left out of the conversation. Twitter and other social media sites are great sources for information, but there’s no harm in turning to the news channel once in a while, or reading a newspaper. It’s also just as important to stay up to date with your friends and family. Don’t get so caught up in your own life that you forget about the people who love you. You should never be Keeping Up With The Kardashians more than you do with your own loved ones.Take time to sit and ask your abuela about her day, or ask your dad out to a baseball game.
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