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On Turning TwentyOne

May 6, 2011 by Joy the Baker 500 Comments

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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.

 

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  1. ?ñå Ñæ

    January 22, 2017 at 10:22 am

    It helps a lot i just turned 21

    Reply
  2. Bee!

    July 12, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    Best. Blog. Post. Ever! I love #19 the most, I printed it out and hung it on my bulletin board. You’re awesome, I love you and what you do!

    Reply
  3. rachael

    April 30, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    I just love you Joy. Thanks for doing what you do. You make so many girls and women smile and inspire us everyday. You ARE the cat’s pajamas. Thank you.

    Reply
  4. Natalie

    February 18, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    Excellent advice! I wish more people understood how important eye contact is in conversation.

    Reply
  5. Rhonda Sittig

    February 10, 2013 at 9:17 am

    HI Joy– Hoping you even find this comment in the forest of comments you’ve got going here. I’m coming up on 61 –way on past 21 and I couldn’t agree with your well intentioned advice more. Especially the part about putting it all on the Lord. Seriously, how else do you get through a life with any real hope? So glad to be able to pop into your blog when I need to smile or bake…
    Thanks

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      February 10, 2013 at 10:42 am

      thanks for stopping by Rhonda!

      Reply
  6. Natasha O

    February 9, 2013 at 10:11 am

    Love! Noted. Thank you :]

    Reply
  7. joelle (on a pink typewriter)

    January 28, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    Just found this past thanks to your link in today’s post, and I LOVE IT. And I’m not even 21 – I’m freakin’ 26, but still appreciated the gems here. Esp love the last one. ;) Thanks, Joy!

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. Lemon Cornmeal Breakfast Cake | bediva says:
    September 6, 2015 at 6:07 am

    […] On Turning TwentyOne […]

    Reply
  2. Thirty Two | bediva says:
    September 6, 2015 at 5:54 am

    […] On Turning TwentyOne   + What It’s Really Like  + I Accidentally Saw a Picture of You + Thirty Years of Learning  […]

    Reply
  3. Inspirational Lady Monday (on a Tuesday) – Keeley's Blog says:
    March 4, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    […] Unsolicited Advice for 21 Year Old Girls Hey… that’s me! […]

    Reply
  4. blogger series #3 | the little things says:
    July 24, 2013 at 6:12 am

    […] And, I love that every post on her blog is not a recipe or pictures of food. Check out this article on turning 21. She knows what she’s talking about and isn’t afraid to write exactly what she is […]

    Reply
  5. Joy the Baker – Thirty Two says:
    May 22, 2013 at 11:56 pm

    […] On Turning TwentyOne   + What It’s Really Like  + I Accidentally Saw a Picture of You + Thirty Years of Learning  […]

    Reply
  6. cupcakes and quinoa | the casual vegan says:
    March 14, 2013 at 7:27 am

    […] creative and frank, she writes about everything from buttermilk beignets to breakfast nachos to button up shirts- and her photos are the bomb. In fact, it was a few pictures of her food on Pinterest that […]

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