Joy the Baker

Turning TwentyOne

May 6, 2011

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If you’re turning twenty one (21!!) today… May 7, 2011, I’d like to humbly offer you some advice, as your elder of 9 whopping years.

I know you’re not asking for advice.  I know I’m not an expert at life…  I just have a few gems I want you to take with you.

One:  Raw honey and baking soda make a really lovely face scrub.  True.  Try it!

Two:  Eat something green everyday.

Three:  Chill out on the Facebook.  Seriously.  It’s not real life.

Four:  Learn how to sew something.  Anything.  At least learn how to sew your buttons back on your shirts.

Five:  If your button up shirt is bulging at the boobs… wear another shirt.  OR, just unbutton that button.  We’re talking exposed bra.   You’ll need to wear a necklace or two if you’re going to go this route.  You’re also going to need to walk tall and own it…. and stay away from public transportation.

Six:  Make lists on Post-It notes and knock em out, cross em off, get things done.

Seven:  Look people in the eye and listen when they speak.  It’s a nice touch.  It’s the opposite of Facebook.

Eight:  Is your resting face… the expression that you have when you’re just hanging out watching Real Housewives of Orange County… is that face bitchy?  Change that.  Try not to look bitchy when you’re just hanging out.

Nine:  Don’t drink too much rum… ever.

Ten:  Don’t be one of those girls that carries one of those long, giant cocktail cups around the streets of Las Vegas.  It really gives the wrong impression.  You’ll also have to pee a lot.

Eleven:  If a guy is a jerk, he’s dead to you.  You don’t need that bologna.  Eat an ice cream cone and move the heck on.

Twelve:  Don’t do stupid things that relate to booze, boys, nudity, and consequences.  Keep it together.  Drink more water than booze.  Sloppy is never cute.

Thirteen:  What’s important?  Make a list.  Honor it.

Fourteen:  Pull your hair back and wear pretty earrings.  Own it.

Fifteen:  Make things for people.

Sixteen:  Don’t be afraid of being overdressed.  Dresses are pretty and heels are awesome.  But!  If the heels make you walk like a robot… go with flats.  Know thyself.

Seventeen:  Boxes of cold cereal and a carton of milk make a strange and kinda funny hostess gift.  Coco Puffs and 2 percent.  Try it.

Eighteen:  Buy your friends random gifts… it’s just a nice thing to do.

Nineteen:  Don’t be afraid of looking dumb, asking a stupid question, falling on your face, getting rejected, ripping off your shirt on a crowded street, or being otherwise embarrassed.  We’ll be dead soon.

Twenty:  Put it on the Lord.  Good.  Bad.  Pretty.  Messy.  Put it all on the Lord.  Now… I know I don’t know you like that but… I’m just sayin’.

TwentyOne:  Work hard at the thing that you love.  Like… really hard.  Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s dumb.  If they do tell you it’s dumb… work harder and prove them wrong.  But don’t rub it in their face- just be gracious, and wear expensive lipstick, and smile, and keep working.

 


477 Comments Add A Comment

  • You are the best. I am so glad that I found your website!!!

    This advice is both hilarious and accurate. :D

  • Hi Joy! I just turned 21 in February so I consider this post somewhat relevant to myself. Thanks for sharing such great advice. I don’t drink, smoke, party, or hook up, and a lot of people my age always think I’m a weirdo because I’m like that. It’s so hard to stick to standards that no one else seems to keep and I just want to thank you for publicly coming out and saying it is totally OKAY to not do stupid things, and that the whole “You gotta do it while you’re young” argument is just totally an excuse. Thanks again!

    • giiiirl! hold onto yourself! you’re golden!

      • hye joy~

        i just recently discovered your blog thru a friend!its great!do you mind if i share some of the very relevant advices you gave here=)(with credits of course!)

        yasmin

    • Hannah, I’m proud of you! Just sayin’! Keep it up! It’s all worth it :)

    • Give it a few years and you’ll feel totally normal instead of like a sore thumb. Believe me – you’ve got a headstart! I was/am the same as you and it’s gotten me so much farther in life. Standards and discipline are very good to have, and so is grace for those who don’t have them yet :)

  • Hi. My friend introduced me to your blog when I was asking him for suggestions to bake something.
    And I came across this post.

    Loved it. I am going to do #13. :)

  • Those advice of you out there are all AWESOME.. You may say that you’re not good at life, but as I read your blog, you seem to embrace the reality about life. Those advice are all appropriately true for someone who’s turning 21.

  • if only jerks could see eaasily be swapped with ice cream cones. Love this set of rules! Especially the bra thing. People – please!

  • I love number 20. And 4 & 7. Great advice Joy. Wish I had all those when I was 21.

  • fan.tas.tic.

  • Joy, i love you <3 ^_^

  • I love your blog and am so happy I found it. You have a great way of putting words on things! Wishing you all the best!

  • I would add one thing:

    MOISTURIZE!! EVERY DAY. I wish I had realized the importance of this when I was 21. Now I’m a wrinkled 50 something. Exercise every day is just as important to your life happiness, but it sounds like boring advice.

    I would take one thing out: #20 is bogus. Never mind imaginary friends. Take responsibility for your own life. If you don’t like it, change it. As you say repeatedly, own it.

  • Just found this and cracking up laughing over some of your advice. Great advices btw, even for the non-21 year olds, even one approaching the 40s, great reminders of what’s important.

  • I needed to read this list today, even at 25. confidence is definitely a key attribute.

  • Ahhh lovely advices, Im only 16, but I will take it into account (: loveeee your blog, and recently I am becoming in something like a … baker lol

  • This was perfect! My boyfriend turns 21 tomorrow and I used some of your advice and edited it to put in his card. Thanks for your unintentional help! Keep on blogging! :D

  • I’m turning 21 on tomorrow and I will definitely keep all your words of wisdom in mind :) Thanks, Joy! Also, did you know that you inspired me to start my own baking blog? Thanks for that too :)

  • Hi. I think I just fell in love with you a little bit.

  • i love this!!! so true. my roommates are always making fun of me b.c. i like weird stuff (for a college kid), like veggies (more than pizza or tacos or s.t), dimmed lights (like when you first get up and are cooking breakfast in a dim-lit, quiet kitchen… it’s paradise!, and music pretty much rules my life. call me weird, but i love all those things!
    once again, thanks for another wonderful post! you’re awesome :)

  • Megan Alissa Glanville February 12, 2012 at 10:27 am

    You are terrific. Totally. So, so smitten with your blog. It makes me smile, it makes me salivate and inspires me to get busy in the kitchen. Keep on keepin’ on Sister and a big high five from (another) new fan :)

  • Absolutely perfect timing for me to read this. Being that I am 21 (plus 9) just makes it even more perfect!! :D #20 is what I’m shooting for every day. Can’t wait to read more of your blog! lovely!

  • Oh man. Wish I’d read this list 6 years ago.

  • Love number twenty. All of these are wise! :)

  • We have the same birthday! Lots of love to you, Sister Taurus!

    #20 – TRUTH! No one loves you like He does…NO ONE!

  • Best post EVER!!! I thought so the first time you posted it and sometimes I just go back to read it cause I love it. Thank you for being awesome!

  • Love this post. One of the best blog posts I’ve read. Some fun and great advice there. Love #16. There’s nothing like dressing up . . . even if you’re just going to the grocery store.

  • Still awkward and fifteen, love to bake, and I’m so gonna follow this when I am twenty one!

  • Love this post. :)

    I’m reading The Happiness Project too! Pretty good book! I’m also reading “An Abundance of Katherine’s” by John Green. I’m newly obsessed with his books.

  • This list is wonderful, Joy. I wish I had it when I was 21. I’ve just turned 29 and I’m staring down 30. Any advice to turning 30?

    Kate

  • Box of cereal and 2% milk. This thought intrigues me.

  • Joy, I know you write this almost a year ago, and I read it and loved it then when I had just turned 22. Today is my 22nd birthday and I came searching for this advice to start my new year! Love it. So applicable. Always.

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