New Year’s Eve

A Trip Through Time: 2017 in Review

December 31, 2017February 2, 2024ayminor

2017
/twenty seventeen/
noun

a period of 365 days that has me shook. that I don’t feel ready for. that will challenge me in new ways, some of which will be undesired. yet a period in which I will prevail over the hurdles that have plagued me for nearly two years. a period in which I will rediscover purpose in my work. in which I will build on the relationships I forged in 2016. in which I will travel more domestically and internationally. in which I will put my mental, physical, and emotional health first. (Written 12/31/2016)

I may not have travelled internationally, but a year later I am proud to say I held myself to this definition. Here are a few new pictures that capture some of my best moments in 2017.

Universal-Studios-Orlando-Harry-Potter-World-Butterbeer

The Title Track to 2015: Unbreakable Smile

December 31, 2015February 2, 2024ayminor

Instead of my annual end-of-year reflection piece, I decided to let the music speak for me. I choose the track, “Unbreakable Smile” from Tori Kelly’s debut album because it perfectly personifies my year. There were many milestones — another year of ayminor.com, moving to a new city, my first apartment, a new job, 25 (!!) — but also the challenges in finding my true purpose in life.

That’s when I realized I wanna make a difference
Change other people’s lives, give hope, even for a moment
Use my name for good and change the game I could

Though everything hasn’t gone exactly according to plan, I am not discouraged — I am taking the lessons learned from my successes and failures to apply to my (new) master plan for 2016.

I can’t thank you all enough for your support, and I can’t wait to produce more (and better) content next year. Happy New Year’s Eve and cheers to changing the game in 2016!

J Reads: 21 Secrets for Your 20s

January 7, 2013January 18, 2024ayminor

My friend posted “21 Secrets for Your 20s” on my wall this week, and she couldn’t have had better timing. It is so easy to feel inundated with personal problems (especially for those of us who have a “dramatic flair”) when in all actuality the problems you think may be unique to you are actually shared by most of the people your age.

The possibility for greatness and embarrassment both exist in the same space. If you’re not willing to be embarrassed, you’re probably not willing to be great.

This is the quote that stuck with me the most from the article. For New Year’s I decided I was going to try something different. If you know me, then you know I am usually pretty conservative in what I wear. This year I opted for pants and a bowtie instead of my standard little black dress.

Obviously it wasn’t anything crazy, but it was definitely out of my comfort zone and my outfit produced some positive and negative, yet comical reactions from complete strangers.

This brings me to my New Year’s Resolution. Stop playing it safe. Take risks. Start small, with an outfit, and work my way to the big stuff. You can literally consume all your time worry about other people’s opinions, but lest we forget:

You’re nobody until you’re talked about. – Gossip Girl

Read the full article here.