Lauren, Author at Pucker Mob

Why You Should Become a Tourist At Home

Earlier today I posted up at a coffee spot nearby that I had never been to. I was surprised to have not known about it since I thought I’ve scoped out most places of it’s kind in the area (do I even go here?). It made me think back to the revelation I had when I was studying abroad and exploring Europe for four months: we sometimes don’t give our home the right attention it deserves. When traveling in a new place, we become committed to making the most of our time there. We lose sleep in order to see every nook and cranny of the city (at least I do). We know our time is limited, so we do as much as we can in order to see and experience the most amazing things possible. It always amazes me how much I get done in just one day of travel. When exploring new cities in Europe, we would wake up at the crack of dawn and be on the move until our heads hit the pillow, no matter how exhausted, sick or cold we felt. I was stimulated with more experiences by noon during a travel day than by 10pm on any type of day at home. That’s why I love travel, it leaves me with an enhanced appreciation for living a full life and gracious perspective of how amazing it is to be alive. I become more aware of the opportunities available to us each day and feel motivated to take advantage of them.

After spending half a college semester living in Spain and gallivanting through Europe, I told myself I would become a “tourist” upon my return. I realized that I experienced more in foreign cities than I did in my own home of 20+ years. I assume the reason for this is that we are tranced in the illusion that we have enough time. We get caught up in our day to day, and assume “that will always be there”, “I’ll try that another time”, “I’ll do that another day”. We allow days, months or even years to pass us by without breaking old habits or doing that thing we always say we’re doing to do.

I live 10 miles from New York City and I’m certain tourists from Asia have seen more of it than I have. I become blind to the glamour of the most notorious city in the world, while other people wait their entire lives to experience it. It is interesting that this happens. Obviously, we aren’t going to live every single day at home like a tourist. That would be exhausting, and damn expensive to do. But I think it would benefit us to change the lenses which we see our home through. Enjoying the comfort of being in a familiar area is what “home” is all about. Having go-to places, familiar faces and routines is what separates your home from the foreign city you visit. But why not take a step back and view where you live as a tourist would? What would you want to do and see? How excited would you feel to be here? Maybe it’s something as small as trying a new restaurant or being friendlier to people around you. When we travel we seem to elevate ourselves to a more present state of mind. One that can get lost when we’re in the safety of our home routine.

The whole idea is to seize the moment. Getting stuck in the same state of mind sucks the fun and excitement out of life. The key is balance. Make the best of both worlds, and most importantly, let this way of being flow into other areas of life. Being a tourist at home is a metaphor for living life to the fullest. Remember to live in the present and live each moment like it’s your last. Appreciate the people you have in your life. Hug your mom, call your friend and be grateful for opportunities available to you daily. Take advantage of them now instead of tomorrow. Time is an illusion; the problem is we think we have enough.

8 Reasons Why Millennials Actually Kick Ass. We're Awesome.

Roughly born between 1980 and the year 2000, Millennials take a lot of heat from our predecessors. Rumor has it we are entitled, technology obsessed, socially inept, high maintenance know-it-alls. While this may apply to some millennials, I would like to take the positive point of view and put into perspective just how awesome we actually are.

1. We Want Peace

Unlike past generations, Millennials are wisely skeptical about war. Most of us prefer peaceful coexistence to war and are less likely to join the military than other generations at this age.

2. We're Go Getters

As Millennials, we are confident, connected and open to change. We're travelers, entrepreneurs, risk takers and hard workers. We go after what we want and won't let you stand in our way.

3. We are the Largest, Most Diverse Generation in the U.S.

That is awesome. We don't stand for discrimination and push for equality more than any other generation.

4. We're Educated

Millennials are on course to become the most educated generation in American history.

5. We are Entering the Worst Job Market and We are Still Kicking Ass

Millennials are the first in the modern era to have higher levels of student loan debt, poverty and unemployment, and lower levels of wealth and personal income than their two immediate predecessor generations had at the same stage of their life cycles. Despite this nonsense, we are still powering through doing great things. We still remain confident about our economic futures and aren't afraid to go after what we want.

6. We're Green

We are the most environmentally conscious generation. We care about sustainability and reversing the harming affects brought onto our planet.

7. We Help Each Other

We are presently the most connected generation, giving more opportunity for volunteering and social change. We try to have awareness and put our energies towards what matters.

8. We're Independent

Finally, we think for ourselves. We are the generation that questions everything. We think outside the box, don't stick to one way of life and embrace self expression.

So go ahead, my fellow millennial, pat yourself on the back and continue with your greatness.

3 Things That Do (and don't) Matter in Your 20s

Once we leave the warm security blanket provided by our college or parents and enter this experience referred to as the real world, the carefree life we once knew slowly gets taken away from us and making a decision with ease seems like a distant memory. Your job, love life, financial status and plans for the future are all of a sudden the only things that define you as a person and measure your success at life. I’m not sure who created this unwritten rule book of norms to follow that we all mindless abide by, but I’m here to tell you the things you’re most likely freaking out about aren’t really what you should be focusing on.

WHAT DOESN’T MATTER: Landing your dream job

WHAT DOES MATTER: Knowing what you love to do

Get accepted into a stellar college, choose a major that looks good on paper, dominate internships at Fortunte 500 companies, and land your dream job at the career fair senior year. So the story goes. This plot may not apply to everyone, but I’m sure it can be morphed into numerous variations that all sum up to the same thing: being forced to figure out what the hell you want to do everyday of your life before you even move out of your parents house. You may have tricked yourself into believing you love what you do everyday, you may dread what you’re doing everyday or you may have no idea what it is you want to do. Either way, you are okay. For most of us, our dream job now won’t be our dream job in ten years.

Most people spend their time making a living, without ever having a chance to make a life. Don’t let your fear turn you into one of these people–not landing your dream job right away is okay. Instead of focusing on what company you work for, how much money you’re making, or what your business card title will be in 5 years, start focusing on what you love to do. Yes, it is okay to spend time doing things you love that don’t make you money. The more time you spend putting your energy into what you love, the better the outcome is. Sure, your friend who is kissing the CEO’s ass and working 80 hours a week at a meaningless office job may get promoted before you, but you will be happier and more fulfilled as a person because you spent time doing things you’re passionate about. If you know what you love to do, awesome, go at it! If you don’t, you’re still young! Start taking up hobbies and discover your interests. The soul burning feeling you get from doing something you love is way more powerful than anything else you will ever do in life.

WHAT DOESN’T MATTER: Finding your soulmate

WHAT DOES MATTER: Falling in love with yourself

Advice I was once given “You will never be happy with someone else until you are happy with yourself” rings more true everyday. Don’t get upset when your friends are away on a couples retreat and you’re binge watching orange is the new black for the weekend, embrace this time that is only yours. Discover what it is about you that makes you so great and enjoy your own company. I’m sure any couple married for over ten years would envy the time you get to yourself. Being in a relationship is great, only if that relationship is healthy. The more sorry for yourself you feel that you’re alone, the more you will convince yourself every person you meet is your actual soulmate. If you force a relationship to happen before you finish perfecting the one you have with yourself, you eventually take out the unhappiness you have for yourself in your partner. And then you become the couple no one wants to be around because contrary to popular belief, misery doesn’t always love company. Learn to love you, and this will attract the love you’ve been waiting for.

WHAT DOESN’T MATTER: What other people are doing

WHAT DOES MATTER: What you are doing

The last and most important lesson we all need to learn is that we are all on different paths. Though society tirelessly tries to tell us what we all need to be doing and when, we are all meant for different things. Don’t compare someone else’s middle to your beginning. Don’t feel ashamed if all of your friends are getting married while you’re still single. Don’t feel intimidated by the coworker that got promoted before you. Don’t feel like there is no time left to explore what you love because someone 5 years younger has conquered that same thing already. Sometimes we are the expert, sometimes we are the novice, and sometimes we are straight up confused. Stay confident in yourself and where you’re going, it is your story to write.