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During this episode of This is Life Unfiltered, I’m talking about a controversial topic among many young adults- at what point are you really ready to move out? I moved out at such a young age, and though no part of me regrets moving out, I do wish I had lived home longer and saved more money. The reason I moved out was because I truly didn’t want to live at home anymore and I was more willing to live on the ground of a crappy 5-bedroom apartment than I was to live in the tiny small town I grew up in. I had no issues with my parents’ at all (besides total love for them) but I found living at home to be so difficult because I felt like no one really understood me. That’s a relatable feeling amongst many young people which is why I wanted to talk about moving during episode 57.

I’ve been in LA for over 1 year now and I finally feel ready to say that I no longer hate living here. The first year was the hardest year of my life being here: I felt alone, totally out of place and so confused. I couldn’t seem to make any friends, I was super confused about my career and why I broke up with someone I loved when I moved here- among a range of other topics. And now I’m ready to open up about my true thoughts on LA, what this city offers and my advice for those of you who want to move out but aren’t sure how to afford it.

I am finally allowed to announce two big pieces of news coming to the Be Fearless Summit: our keynote speaker & main partners! I’ve been working 24/7 on planning this summit and due to that, I’ve landed some bigger speakers and brands than I was expecting from the beginning. To say the least, the Fearless Summit is bound to be my project of the year for 2019.

Almost all of our sponsors have been confirmed and we are beginning to rollout speaker announcements along with how you can RSVP, on our social media and website. GIRLS’ Life Magazine and Shake Shack (my favorite burger company!!) are two partners of the summit: which means Shake Shack is catering the networking lunch and GIRLS’ Life will be on-site with a vendor booth and their team (including editor-in-chief Karen Bokram) to talk about the magazine world and internships. Finally, Michelle Grant – CEO of LIVELY will be starting the day with a bang: on a panel with Karen Bokram and myself to talk about the industry and her incredible journey from working corporate at Victoria Secret to starting her own lifestyle lingerie company. Michelle and I had a conversation on This is Life Unfiltered tou can listen to below if you want some more background on her inspiring journey.

Keep it locked her, on social media at @fearlessummit and on Fearlessummit.org for the full schedule!

This post is in partnership with Kizik footwear. 

Girl’s best friend? Diamonds? Cookies? Cupcakes! Let’s talk about what I consider my best friend to be- and that’s actually none of the above. It’s SNEAKERS. I’m a sneaker junkie: every time I travel I have to stop at a sneaker store somewhere along the way and grab a new pair. The best part about sneakers is that they’re all comfortable, and also totally acceptable in public. I used to think I had to wear heels to the office to look professional until I realized there’s a total magic to wearing sneakers with fancier clothing, it just takes a little more effort. I love Superga’s, Converse and Adidas (Adidas are my go-to sneakers) but I also love finding brands that aren’t as common on the market. When I came across KIZIK I knew I had to grab a pair- the brand sent me a ton of styles to try when I included them on my last KTLA segment, and I was lucky enough to get to keep the last pair of sneakers to wear myself. I wore the KIZIK black suede almost every other day throughout the holidays AND have been wearing them often now that I’m back in LA. Though it’s been raining a lot here, the KIZIK sneaker is perfect for a lazy day or for a quick office meeting. I’ve attached some more styles below that I like, including the suede army green pair that I’m dying to get my hands on.

So sneakers: they’re about to be your new best friend too. Am I right?

Ignore my perfectly imperfect nails, please.

I just returned to LA after a long 2.5 weeks off- the longest amount of time I’ve ever taken off. While I was gone an article on Buzzfeed went viral titled “How Millennials Became The Burnout Generation”. A few of my friends sent me the article and it took me up until my lengthy flight from Boston to LA yesterday to read the piece. I’ve spoken openly about burnout, the obsession with “hustle culture” and why young adults are skipping college to pursue their side-hustles when they shouldn’t do that just because it’s a trend on This is Life Unfiltered. After finishing the article (a solid half hour read) I texted my friend Daniella and asked what she thought about it. Since I talk so much about the topics brought up in the article, I didn’t necessarily walk away from any new knowledge from the piece but I totally see why it went viral. How many millennials, even Gen X/Y are out there talking about the hustle obsession and burnout? We’re truly so focused on success (by we I mean you, me, probably not your mom and dad) that we’re sacrificing crucial parts of life to in return hopefully get that success. And those who are talking about it are just as confused with how to handle burnout and stress that they’re admitting it but aren’t necessarily handling the issue at heart.

What the heck is that success we’re all so desperate for? What success do you truly desiure and what do you think you will be brought by that idea of success?

Over the weekend my mom and I got into a fight because she started throwing out things to me she thought I needed to be paying more attention to, like an IRA fund, a social security fund, health insurance- all topics that 21-year-old me could care less about. As I sat on the stairs of my parents’ house and wanted to cry and scream (are any of my friends being asked if they have a social security fund set up? if you are, text me please!) I realized that I’m not a kid anymore. I’m a successful entrepreneur who just happens to be 21. When I’m 55, I’m still going to be an entrepreneur but with no savings fund or retirement fund unless I make one on my own. Unfortunately my parents’ aren’t entrepreneurs or anything close to one so they’re the type of people that tell me things and just expect me to figure out and solve them on my own.

Following the savings fund conversation she sprung on me that I will probably not have any insurance by June of this year because she’s getting laid off or something. Then I really started crying! What the hell am I supposed to do with no insurance? Not that I’m some hypochondriac or anything but I enjoy being able to walk into CVS minute clinic if I fall on a scooter, have my birth control paid for, know that god forbid something terrible happens I won’t be out $1,000. Like many young Americans, not having health insurance is a pretty terrible feeling. Most of us won’t have to deal with it until age 25 or 26, but having no insurance is no fun for anyone. So, what to do?

My first piece of advice is to pursue a career path that you know will support you. We all have so many fun and unique ideas, but how can you pick the one that makes the most sense for you and your future? I would sit down with a pen and paper and literally write down all of your ideas. From there, let your gut lead you. If you don’t have one idea that stands out to you, pick the most practical one. I’m not saying to give up on yourself or take the easy way out: I’m suggesting to pursue the degree you like even the slightest with the assumption you’ll eventually change degrees once you figure out what your true calling is. Like marketing? Take one marketing or business class before you jump into a degree. You can’t run before you know how to walk.

Find yourself in the exact position I’m in right now (minus the whole entrepreneurship side of things)? Look into state insurance: my dad isn’t on my moms insurance in Connecticut and his insurance is paid for by the state. A few more ideas I found online:

Short-Term Medical Insurance: temporary benefits for those in-between times

Bundled Benefits: alternative insurance products combinations for a range of healthcare services; fixed-dollar benefits for hospital, surgical and critical illness care

Individual Major Medical: an ACA-compliant option that may include access to catastrophic plans and subsidies

Job-Based Coverage: major medical insurance through an employer

Medicaid: a low-cost or no-cost option for those who qualify

IMPORTANT: Student health insurance: major medical offered by some colleges and universities

If you’re forced to pay out of pocket like me, consider a lil side-hustle. Wouldn’t you rather have your insurance paid for by the side gig you’re making money from? Consider starting an account on Upwork or Fiverr (I did this when I first started blogging) or find a local store in your town that you can get a few extra hours of work a week at. Unless you’re trying to run a company full-time, you’ll likely have insurance provided by your employer at some point during your career, so don’t worry too much. Always focus on the now and the small steps you have to take to get to your end goal. It sucks, but there are options out there to help young people deal with things like insurance. Do your research and don’t stress out like I do!

Xo,

Alexa

A few weeks ago I sat down with YSBnow in LA to talk about how I landed Fearless Everyday, why I started blogging and how social media and mental health go hand in hand. Most of you know that I used to be a full-time fashion blogger until I started my nonprofit Media Impact and Navigation for Teens. After blogging about fashion for so long before this became my career I realized that fashion wasn’t my passion: educating young adults about their mental health and body was.

Watch the full interview above and read more on the website. 

#fearlesseveryday

Happy 2019 everyone! I can’t believe the new year is already here. I don’t make resolutions but I do make solid purchases during the first month of the year! That means a new pair of pants, a skirt and usually a pair of prescription or style glasses. During my KTLA segment I featured a bunch of glasses from Zenni Optical. I’ve worked with Zenni during my previous KTLA segment too because the brand truly encompasses everything I like about body image and positivity. Since most of you are in school or working your first job, staying on a tighter budget is important. Spending a ton of money at Lenscrafters or on contacts isn’t always optimal, especially during the first month of the year. Ray-Ban glasses are great, but how many of us can really afford them with all of our other expenses?

One of the reasons I like Zenni so much is because the prices are incredible. You can get fantastic prescription glasses and sunglasses for under $100, most are actually under $50. If that’s not a steal, I don’t know what is. I’ve put together some of my favorite options for glasses you can wear in 2019 below! You don’t ever have to spend a lot of money to look stylish.

1. Pink Premium Sunnies: $36

Even though I reside in LA 90% of the year, I would wear these glasses in the winter and in the summer. Aren’t they seriously the cutest? The color pink never gets old!

2. Tortoiseshell Sunglasses: $36

Another popular style (usually this tortoise print is seen on a variety of Ray-Ban styles) that works for both men & women. These are a total steal at under $40.

3. The Aviator: $36

Aviators never go out of style. I’ve had my Ray-Ban aviators since I received them as a birthday gift over 2 years ago. The best thing about Zenni is that all of the glasses are so affordable that you can buy multiple pairs for the price of one designer brand: so what are you waiting for?

Happy 2019!