The Life Rough Draft

In this episode of the Stories of Our 20s series, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Monica, a fellow Latina I met back in college. Monica shared her experiences from college to adulthood, revealing the nuances of maintaining long-distance friendships and the importance of intentionality in creating meaningful connections. We discussed how to foster new relationships as a young adult, the joy of finding community through shared hobbies like beach volleyball, and the powerful lessons learned from our past friendships. If you're in your 20s and struggling to create new friendships, maintaining your current friendships amidst life's chaos, or building community, this episode is for you! Don't forget to tune in next week for Part 2.Key Takeaways:Building adult friendships requires intentionality and effort, much like any other significant relationship in our lives.  Long-distance friendships can remain meaningful and fulfilling when we prioritize shared experiences, even from afar.  Engaging in hobbies or group activities can be a great way to meet new people and create a sense of community.  The transition from college to adulthood often results in changes to our friendship dynamics, necessitating adjustments in how we connect.  Understanding that not every friendship needs to fulfill all emotional needs helps us appreciate the different roles friends can play in our lives.  Regularly scheduled catch-ups, like monthly Zoom calls, can foster deeper conversations and provide ongoing support among friends.  Embracing opportunities to meet new people, whether through classes, meetups, or spontaneous invitations, opens the door to unexpected and rewarding friendships.

In this episode, I dive into the uncomfortable yet crucial topic of accepting our pain and processing those inevitable WTF moments life throws at us, especially during our 20s. While navigating my own journey through Japan, I’ve encountered the conflicting emotions of pursuing dreams amid global chaos and personal uncertainty. I share that it’s perfectly okay to feel overwhelmed and to acknowledge these tough feelings instead of rushing to fix them or resorting to toxic positivity. Through personal anecdotes and valuable insights, I encourage you to give space to your emotions, reminding us all that healing isn’t a race but a process. Let’s create a community where we can share our struggles, shed the pressure to always appear okay, and learn together how to hold our pain with grace. Join me as we embrace the messiness of life and remember: pain shared is pain divided!Key Takeaways:Life in our 20s is often filled with unexpected challenges that evoke intense emotions, making it essential to confront them head-on.  Bottling up feelings in hopes of dealing with them later can hinder our healing process, as emotions demand to be felt in the moment.  Avoiding negative emotions through distractions or toxic positivity can lead to greater discomfort in the long run.  Acceptance of painful situations is a powerful gift we can give ourselves, allowing for genuine healing and growth.  Sharing our struggles with others helps lighten our emotional load, as pain shared is pain divided.  Making space for our emotions involves being still and allowing ourselves to truly feel what we are experiencing without judgment.  Ultimately, acknowledging that some situations simply suck is an important step toward finding peace and moving forward.

This is the first episode of the "Stories of Our 20s" series, where I will be featuring a person in their 20s so they can share their story.In this episode, Jade, our first featured 20-something and a fellow traveler from London, shares her experience solo traveling for the past four months after working in hospitality. We discuss how work exchanges can be an incredible tool to stretch our budget and have unique cultural experiences, and how travel has helped us to live authentically and become more comfortable with who we are. Jade reflects on the value of forming genuine connections and learning new skills while embracing the uncertainty of the future. Together, we acknowledge the fears and insecurities that come with being in our 20s, reminding ourselves that it’s perfectly okay not to have everything figured out right now, and to trust the process!Key Takeaways:Traveling after graduation can help clarify personal goals and desires, offering a unique opportunity for self-discovery.Work exchanges are an effective way to stretch travel budgets while gaining valuable cultural experiences and connections.Meeting like-minded travelers fosters a sense of community and reassurance that many are navigating similar life uncertainties.Embracing spontaneity and being open to change can lead to unexpected adventures and personal growth.It’s perfectly normal to feel insecure or anxious about life choices, especially when diverging from traditional paths.Connecting with friends and family back home provides essential support while traveling and navigating life’s challenges.Learning to trust the process of life allows for a more relaxed approach to uncertainty and future decisions.Traveling can teach invaluable life skills, such as adaptability, social confidence, and the importance of authentic living.

In this episode of the Life Rough Draft podcast, I tackle the chaotic and often overwhelming reality of our 20s and the importance of living authentically during this transformative decade. Drawing from my recent trip to Vietnam, where I connected with fellow twenty-somethings facing similar struggles and searching for purpose, I discuss how external expectations can cloud our true identities. I explore the concept of authenticity—not just in the big decisions, but in everyday choices—and how reconnecting with our inner selves can lead to greater fulfillment. If you've ever felt lost or burdened by external pressures, you're not alone, and this episode provides valuable insights and actionable steps to help you embrace your authentic self. Join me as we navigate the complexities of this season of life together!Follow me on instagram ⁠@theliferoughdraft⁠Check out my website at ⁠www.theliferoughdraft.com⁠Have any feedback/questions/concerns or just wanna chat? Email me at liferoughdraft@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram.

Getting evicted out of any place is never easy, especially when that place is a whole country! The tale for today is my departure from the United States after not getting selected in the work visa lottery. Rafa, our guest for this episode, shares her own eviction story due to the same situation two years ago, and how that unexpectedly landed her in her dream city: London. This is a story about letting go of control, embracing uncertainty, and learning that rejections are redirections.Rafa was the first friend I made in college, and she has stuck by me throughout the last 7 years. She is from Ecuador, is about to turn 25, and up until recently worked as a senior investment analyst. Her story has been a source of inspiration to me, and it gives me faith that everything will turn out ok. Key Takeaways:Receiving the news of the work visa lottery result can be a mix of relief and sadness, as it confirms the end of one chapter but also opens up new possibilities.Having a support system and friends who understand the situation can make a big difference in navigating the emotions and challenges of the work visa lottery. Moving to a new country involves a multitude of challenges, including finding new friends, adjusting to a different culture, and navigating the logistics of relocation.Letting go of a previous life and starting anew can be difficult, but it can also lead to personal transformation and the discovery of new passions and interests.Resilience and the ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances are crucial in navigating the challenges of life changes.Embracing uncertainty and being open to new experiences can lead to unexpected and fulfilling outcomes.

On this episode, I pick up where we left off last time...with my heart recently broken and nowhere to go. Our very first guest on the podcast, Sydney, joins us in sharing her empowering story on how she got out of a difficult relationship, and the lessons learned through this experience. Because sometimes to create a fulfilling life in our 20s, we gotta fall on our asses first. But that is ok.Sydney is one of my amazing friends from North Carolina. She has a background in marketing and currently works as a client success manager. With half of her 20s already on their way, she has valuable wisdom to share. I know I learned a lot, and I hope you do too!Key Takeaways:Don't hold onto the potential of someone and recognize the misalignment between words and actions.Take time for yourself and surround yourself with a quality group of supportive people.Don't compromise your values for the sake of a relationship.Recognize the signs of a toxic relationship, such as isolation, lack of support, and communication issues.Break free from toxic relationships and prioritize your own well-being. Personal growth and healing are important in relationships.Set and honor your boundaries and don't try to change someone.Coping mechanisms such as therapy, journaling, and seeking outside perspectives can be helpful.Lessons learned from past relationships can make you a better partner in future relationships.Follow me on instagram ⁠@theliferoughdraft⁠Check out my website at ⁠www.theliferoughdraft.com⁠Wanna ask me something? Email me at liferoughdraft@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram.

This is the second episode of The Life Rough Draft, the podcast where I attempt to answer the following question: how do you create a life that feels fulfilling to you in your 20s?On this episode we take a walk down memory lane to the beginning of 2023, when one of the most pivotal moments in my life happened: the breakup with my long-term boyfriend. I'll get very raw, personal, and vulnerable as I share this story. This is the first part of a 2-part series. Join me on this journey to create a fulfilling life, captured in real time. I have no idea what I am doing, and likely neither do you, but perhaps we can learn a thing or two together!Follow me on instagram ⁠@theliferoughdraft⁠Check out my website at ⁠www.theliferoughdraft.com⁠Wanna ask me something? Email me at liferoughdraft@gmail.com

This is the first ever episode of The Life Rough Draft, the podcast where I attempt to answer the following question: how do you create a life that feels fulfilling to you in your 20s?At 25, after accomplishing everything I had set out to achieve since high school, I found myself unhappy and unsure of how to create a life that fulfilled me. Especially in this decade, which can be really overwhelming. There are so many options before us, and all the while we are feeling scared we may be choosing the wrong one and feeling like we are running out of time. Join me on this journey to create a fulfilling life, captured in real time. I have no idea what I am doing, and likely neither do you, but perhaps we can learn a thing or two together!Follow me on instagram ⁠@theliferoughdraft⁠Check out my website at ⁠www.theliferoughdraft.com⁠Wanna ask me something? Email me at liferoughdraft@gmail.com

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