25 Lessons I Learned Upon Turning 25
& the amazing people / experience that sparked them
CONFIDENCE
1. There is a lot of time wasted comparing ourselves to others – Fear of failure
2. If you don’t listen to the compliments of strangers, the criticisms won’t hurt you – Producer on The Bachelor
3. People will be dramatic in order to get a reaction from you, be a mountain – Bachelor in Paradise
4. Be more vocal – My old boss
5. It’s ok to live a life that others don’t always understand – Choosing an unconventional career path
LOVE
6. You do not need to date strangers in order to receive a validation that is better served to come from inside yourself
– Every Dating App ever
7. Everyone needs an anchor, someone they can confide in – Living alone
8. Women have a powerful initial instinct that tells us if a man is right for us, but 9 times out of 10 we doubt ourselves
– My stick of cookie dough after a breakup
9. Find someone that makes you laugh & return the favor – All those days without laughter
10. You need to love yourself, before you can love someone else – The mirror on the wall
THOUGHTFUL
11. Find peace within yourself by creating an intention to focus on – my My Intent Project necklace
12. Be the surprise that reminds people that there is kindness in this world
– My New York neighbor that brought over a bottle of wine the day I moved into the building
13. A simple way to make people feel comfortable in front of a camera is to ask them something off topic like,
“What did you want to be when you were 5?” – Bearded UNICEF Producer I met in an airport once
14. Instead of asking, “what did you do today?” ask the “why” and “how did that make you feel?”
– Thirst for more meaningful conversations
15. Make quality time for those that matter – The 5 Love Languages book
HUMBLE
16. Be someone who doesn’t follow the herd, but leads it – Dad’s advise before going on Paradise
17. Just because you are independent, doesn’t mean you are mature – A long term ex-boyfriend
18. Make it a priority to build trust and respect with the entire team, not just those you directly report to – The office
19. Smile & be grateful always, there is always someone who has it harder than you do – Visiting where my mom grew up
20. If you look at every conversation as a pie, what percentage is made up of you talking? Everyone wants to feel heard and we can help if only we care to include them – Me overthinking a bit, but everyone deserves a slice 🙂
THE FUTURE
21. You become like the 5 people you spend the most time with, choose wisely. – Negative people no longer in my life
22. You will never regret a phone call or visit to your parents or grandparents – After losing a loved one
23. Even though it might subconsciously be your instinct, not everyone is innately against you. Trust in others.
– A book, I forget the title to…
24. Stay curious.
25. Believe.
Love numbers 12 and 20 especially! From someone (almost) 10 years your senior, just know that you have a great head on your shoulders! And not just because of your beautiful hair. 😉 Keep thinking and growing! And Happy Birthday!!! 🎈
Happy Birthday To You Ms Caila. Hoping your day and life also is filled with Sunshine. Keep smiling that smile and we all benefit from it. Aloha from the jungles of Canada
Happy Birthday Caila! Love this new blog. Trusting in another person who isn’t family or a close friend is hard.I can see why you marked that for the future. Your dad is right don’t follow the heard lead it.It’s good to be unique and also be kind yet also don’t let the ones who want to bring down get the best of you. So many great things on this write up. Def a future is always finding great people to have great conversations with it.
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday, Caila! I enjoyed reading this! Wish you the happiest birthday!
Happy birthday, Caila! You look stunning:P XX
<a href="http://www.shallwesasa.com/">Shall We Sasa</a>
Happy birthday! I agree that it’s always important to make quality time for those who matter to you! 🙂
Polly
http://gemsandjoy.com
Happy belated birthday Caila!
Very on point from a fellow 25 year-old. Happy belated!
can’t believe you just turned 25, I forgot how young bachelor women usually are. You are practically a baby!
I am lost for words. You neiled it. Spoken like the Princess you are. It’s very inspiring. And that dress, wow you put it out of the park. Continue to shine.
Happy Belated Birthday Caila! Just watched The Bachelor as it has just premiered in the place that I am from, which is Malaysia. When I first saw you, when they were introducing you, I fell in love with you, it was like love at first sight, well kinda. You’re so attractive, I so wanted you to win The Bachelor but oh well, his loss is my gain. I’m going to meet you one day!
I didn’t think the blogs that many of the girls from the Bachelor was worth reading but this proved me so wrong. I loved your style, intellect and now your blog!! I’m 18 years old trying to figure out life just like everyone else and I just needed to read everything that you had to say. Thank you.
I feel like I need to print this out and put it where I’ll see it every day. This is so amazing, great work Caila!
xo, Taylor
http://www.taylorashleyblog.com
Caila you are a very beautiful, intellectual thinker. I want to be like you as I grow up although I am 20 right now. I am so curious about stories of your ex’s because I’m at the moment of my life where I can’t piece things together, or straighten out my priorities and feelings and emotions. It’s all a confusion and sometimes you crave someone to be there with you. I’ve gone on actual dates from dating apps. And all I can remember is that in every moment that I felt was right with the "guy", it wasn’t the same for them. And you’re left with uncertainty and questions left hanging. I love your words of wisdom and being able to understand from another girl’s perspective. Thank you.
Great list of wise words!
Caila, I’m getting ready to be a senior in high school, and all of these really spoke to me. Thanks, and I really look up to you!! 🙂
Don’t need to smile through everything. Sometimes you’re smiling because you have a positive attitude – sometimes you’re smiling because you want everyone to like you.
Caila, where did you find the black dress? It is gorgeous. I’ve been looking to buy one like yours for quite some time but with no success.
Hi, very nice website, cheers!
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