It's my Birthday Today!

Lessons learned and one ask....

Today, I turned 29. I am one year from turning 30, and my last year is my 20s.

I wanted to begin by thanking all of you for your ongoing advocacy support. Today, I only have one birthday wish from you: to invest in Ariana Jasmine’s Justice Journal as a paid subscriber. Can we reach 120 paid subscribers today? Let’s go! 

I was raised by the daughter of two low-income immigrants who were formerly on food stamps and government assistance. Now, I am blessed to have a successful platform promoting social justice issues. But if I could go back in time, I would give a young 20-year-old some advice.

Baby Ari with my mom when I was two

Here are 10 lessons you might teach your 20-year-old self:

1. Don’t Fear Failure – Mistakes are part of growth. Don’t let the fear of failing stop you from trying new things. Each setback is an opportunity to learn. I would’ve started my platform years ago if I hadn't overcome my fear earlier. Take the plunge and follow your gut - I’m happy I did.

2. Invest in Yourself. Focus on building skills, learning, and expanding your knowledge. Personal development pays the best dividends through books, courses, or experiences. Learn a new skill or language, stay busy, and have fun.

3. Live Within Your Means. Financial stability begins with discipline. Avoid debt and unnecessary spending, and learn to budget and save early on. The lovely apartment and car can wait; we have a lifetime to achieve that. Please don’t compare yourself; we are all on our journey and timeline.

4. Value Relationships – Surround yourself with people who lift you, and be mindful of the energy you give and receive. Quality relationships are more important than quantity. I have a handful of close friends, and I’m much happier than I was when I had 20 friends.

5. Take Care of Your Health – Exercise, eat well, and prioritize mental health. Your future self will thank you for establishing good habits now. Listen to your body and take breaks; returning from burning out is extremely hard.

6. Don’t Rush – You don’t have to have everything figured out by 25, or even 30. Take your time, explore different interests, and embrace the journey instead of focusing only on the destination.

7. Learn how to Manage Time. Time is one of your most valuable resources. Be intentional about how you spend your time and avoid procrastination. This is a little idealistic because we all procrastinate but try not to do it as much. 

8. Practice Gratitude—appreciate where you are in life. Getting caught up in what you want to achieve is easy, but being grateful for the present will keep you grounded. I write down my accomplishments for the day and week and read through them when I feel like plateauing. It’s a good reminder of your accomplishments, no matter how small they might be.

9. Trust Your Instincts – Listen to your gut. While seeking advice from others is essential, your instincts are often the most accurate guide.

10. Be Patient – Good things take time. Whether career growth, personal development, or relationships, understand that real success is built slowly and steadily. Don’t rush and let the universe play its course.

Cheers to 29 and the many years ahead of us!