#102: The Birthday Listicle Part 27

LISTICLE

On July 1 (dropping the exact date so you can all save it to your calendars — not so you’re each one step closer to stealing my identity), I turned 27. I’ve yet to accumulate 27 dresses a la the 2008 romcom, but I have gathered 27 observations/lessons/things I want to say right now. Let the birthday listicle tradition continue!

1. Writers write, babycakes. AND YOU STAY WRITING. Honestly, props to you on that.

2. I like my eyebrows unplucked, unwaxed, and unthreaded. And I don’t care about whatever the heck TikTok is trying to convince me “eyebrow blindness” is.

3. Having my brows wild and untamed will tempt my trichotillomania. This will feel “good” because I’ve already plucked my elbows bald. But it will also feel "bad” because getting trichy with it in such a visible spot is embarrassing and also I’ll be left with sparser brows.

4. More people know what trichotillomania is than you think. Talking about it will help you feel less shame about it. So get yappin, Old Bald ‘Bows.

5. Not everything has to be taken so seriously. Most everything should be taken more sillyishly.

6. You can totally change your mind.

7. I have a tendency to switch from first-person narration to second-person narration directed at myself as the narrator in my writing. You totally do. We should watch out for that. I completely agree.

8. In my experience, generosity has very little to do with material wealth and almost everything to do with the care and energy you extend to others. Get giving!

9. WALK IN THE GRASS WITH YOUR SHOES OFF.

10. Routine doesn’t have to mean rigidity.

11. I like chai lattes with almond milk better than vanilla lattes with any milk. Plus they don’t make my vagal nerve shiver and scream with the urgency of a taxiing dump.

12. Self-compassion is the way. Do the loving kindness meditations. Do the gratitude journaling. Be kind to yourself. (Stop rolling your eyes at that. We can see you. Be nice.)

13. Life is long. It would be boring to get all the best stuff out of the way this early.

14. Sticking to your values, even when they differ from your friends’, even when they don’t make sense to other people, even when it means trodding a more uncertain path, is worth it. I mean, probably. We just started doing this. How are we supposed to know how it’s going to pay off? I’m just saying it feels right. It feels authentic. And that matters.

15. If your trichotillomania is dying for some new follicle, foot hair is good.

16. The late 20s are a hot age. You’re hot. Be hot!

17. Practice will actually never make perfect. Sorry! But it will make you way better. And even more rewarding, it will grant you ease in the practice itself. Muscle memory, baby!

18. At your birthday party, pass your phone around and have everyone record a message explaining what they love about you. Then you’ll have 10+ minutes of love and friendship and feel-goodness to listen to whenever you’re feeling down, or up for that matter. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. And it gives everyone present the excuse to ask for the same on their special days. Words of affirmation girls unite!!!!

19. Morning pages rule.

20. Ugh, I really hate to break it to you, but I think you’re actually intellectualizing your feelings instead of feeling them. That’s going to be a biiiiiitch to work out. But you can do it.

21. Ask directly for what you want. You’re more likely to get it. (See also: Speak even when your voice shakes. Per the wise words of that magnet Mamaw gave us.)

22. If you have to change yourself to get them to like you, you don’t like them.

23. I’m seriously concerned you need more protein in your diet. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this, and this seems like the appropriate forum to do so.

24. Snail mail is the tits. More penpals, please!

25. I would really like to stop being embarrassed about talking about the newsletter in real life. I’m proud of the work I do here. I’d love to consistently act like it.

26. Spread pesto on the toast before the MASHED! — not sliced — avocado.

27. I love you.

Thanks for reading! Each newsletter you read feels like a little gift to me. Thanks for celebrating me and my work. Gr8ful 4 u!!!

ily bye,

Ariana