Most millennials take very traditional paths. Go to college. Graduate with a degree. Find a career. Then finally be considered a "successful adult." Whatever that means. But what happens after you completed all these steps to becoming an “adult” yet still feel unfulfilled? When on the outside looking in, you seem to have it all figured out but in reality you are still trying to figure out what path you are meant to take? Not many want to tell that story, so I wanted to share that part of my story with you.
After graduating from the University of California, Irvine in 2014, I landed my first real job. The day after graduation, I found myself working that typical 9-5 & dreading everyday I went into work. Long story short, after only a few months in corporate life I mustered the courage to leave. Despite my parent’s disapproval, I ventured into what I like to call as the “post grad unknown.” Little did I know this was one of the very first decisions I had made as an adult that has helped me become the person I am today.
From then on it didn’t get any better. I ended up moving back into my childhood home & my long-term relationship ended abruptly. Nothing was falling into place. Everything that I had imagined for my life seemed out of reach. All this post grad depression talk that I once thought was a myth was actually real...I was definitely feeling the pressure from my parents to find a career & be an “adult.” I needed something to occupy my time so I decided to work at my sister's startup company by working in social media & things started looking up.
Fast-forward, it’s been a crazy 3-year journey working for a startup company & I can definitely say I have done a lot of growing. I am no longer that young grad fearful of the future. All the uncertainties & challenges of a start-up helped me develop this mentality that nothing was impossible when you had a team like we did. The team I was surrounded by was driven, passionate, & most of all, not afraid to take a challenge head on. My co-workers became not only friends but family.
Unfortunately, many of those people no longer worked at the start-up & I struggled to connect & surround myself with people that truly inspired me. Don’t get me wrong. I loved what I did. Everyday my team & I had the chance to empower this amazing community to chase their dreams & do what they love! This community has impacted my life more than they will ever know. Their stories of success will resonate with me forever.
But one day, I woke up so anxious about the future. I started questioning if this was it for me- if this is what I was meant to do. I wondered if this was just a phase that everyone went through when they reached the scary age of 25. I started to reflect on life & realized I was no longer happy where I was. I wasn’t learning or growing. I was content & didn’t feel like myself anymore.
I wondered how other millennials were feeling about their careers if they were unhappy. Did they stick it out? Did they ignore it & hope something changes along the way? That’s what I had been doing for months… But then I decided enough is enough. I needed to be honest with myself & clearly define what makes me happy. I needed to stop letting fear get in the way of my dreams & take my own advice.
For 3 years, my career gave me the opportunity to encourage hundreds of thousands of people on social media to live the life they've always wanted but deep down I knew I wasn't doing it. I didn't want to do that anymore. I couldn't inspire others when I felt so uninspired myself. I needed to stop living someone else's dream & start working towards my own because life’s too short to let your dreams get away from you.
Here’s the exciting part--one of my lifelong goals! At the core of all my reflection, I knew that one of my goals was to inspire others through my story, through my journey. I wanted to help people, especially millennials, embrace the unknown & know that it's okay to create your own path to adulthood. After all, each one of us is on our own unique journey to success!
I thought back to myself & wondered what helped me stay positive even in my lowest times. Every week, I wrote down a Note To Self- AKA a positive reminder that would help me get through the week. Some people thought it was silly, but to me it gave me hope when I needed it the most. They were simple reminders with the purpose to inspire.
I wanted people to be able to wear these “note to selfs” with confidence, so I created bracelets that were engraved with them. That way, we can take our inspiration wherever we go & they can always encourage us to stay optimistic no matter what comes our way! These bracelets are the perfect balance of all the things I love. Simple, stylish, & each with a unique story that has inspired me on my own journey to finding happiness.
Now here I am starting my own company, NTS Bracelets, & to be honest I am overwhelmed with a ton of emotions right now. I have realized how much our past shapes our future. All the failure & success we experience are stepping stones to help us become not only an adult, but the person we've always wanted to be.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I hope that my story encourages you to embrace whatever journey your'e on & to learn how to define your dreams. Never let someone else's dreams hold you back from achieving your own & know that success is defined by you & only you. No one else. So don't ever settle for a life you don't love. I promise it'll all be worth it!
xo,
N.T
By the way, if you’re reading this thank you x infinity <3 I didn't know if I would ever be brave enough to share my story... but with friends, family, & you supporting me I am finally able to. I am a very shy person & this was a difficult decision, but I have found that through vulnerability lies so much strength, courage, & personal growth.
Thank you for being a part of my journey & helping me make my dreams come true :')