Nineteenth Birthday

This has been a really huge week for me. I’m sure most of you are assuming it’s because today is my nineteenth birthday and while yes, that’s partly the reason, there’s more to it than that. This week I pressed publish on my 1,000 blog post. I hit 10,000 YouTube subscribers, found out I would be getting my third magazine feature, took a huge brand deal (that I can’t disclose just yet!), and was interviewed for my second podcast this week. On Sunday I will celebrate four and a half years of Styled by McKenz.

Nineteen isn’t a birthday I’ve been looking forward to, frankly, there’s nothing all that special about the age. And yet, something about it seems so much older than eighteen. Something about this turning of age signifies all of the wonderful things I’ve been able to accomplish over the years. All of the milestones, big and small, I’ve gotten to share with you. All of these things by eighteen; that’s a really special feeling.

And on a day that for some reason feels like my first day of real adulthood (it’s not, nineteen is like super young McKenz, chill out…lol), I am reminded that all of these wonderful moments will continue on for many, many more years to come—but only with these five people I simply couldn’t do it without.

One. You need someone who doesn’t believe in you from the start. Someone who’s jealous that you have a grasp on what you want in life. Someone who belittles you, tells you what you are doing has no meaning, no purpose to it. Someone who angers you. Because anger strikes passion and one you’ve struck passion, well my friends, you’ve struck gold.

Those who want to see you fail are those who are most afraid of watching you succeed.

Two. You need someone who believes in you. In all its glory. The kind of belief that when you’re sitting in the kitchen with tears streaming down your face out of frustration, they remind you why you started. The kind of person who is not afraid to shake you and tell you that you are destined for great things.

Few people have your best interest at heart. When you find someone who does, thank them often.

Madison’s my three. 

Three. You need someone who will drop everything for you. The kind of person who is there even when they have no reason to be. Someone who will tell you no at the wrong times, but yes at the right. Someone who is selfless—the kind of person who will forever be cheering you on from the sidelines.

Four. You need someone who reminds you to stop saying sorry. Because you will make mistakes. You will mess up. You will fall, time and time again. And that is okay. Because whether you are starting a business or following your dreams, you are taking a risk.

Remember that rewards do not come without risks. Do not apologize. Do not say sorry. And do not look back—success does not come running after you, it’s meant to be chased.

Five. You need someone to fuel your fire. And that person cannot be anyone but you. Yes, you. To accomplish great things, you cannot do them alone. You must ask for help; my sixth person can vouch for that. Because the truth is, you cannot do everything alone. But you must be okay with doing so.

And looking back at eighteen, those five people are what stand out the most. Those five people are my greatest lesson of the year—something tells me this one will stick with me for many years to come. Cheers to all the birthdays celebrated together!

With love, McKenz

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