Wearing Banana Republic pants + heels, Trina Turk blazer, Primark tank top

If you haven’t had a chance to pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE mag, head to page 52- I’m on it! I was pretty proud this morning when I opened the newest edition to see my name featured in the first two paragraphs. I never really think too much about any press opportunities, but sometimes when you see yourself in a magazine- you have to freak out for just a little bit!

I didn’t have a chance to put a post up last week after I spoke in NYC at CUNY with Kechie’s Project and my friend, Meredith O’ Connor, so I wanted to include it in this post. I headed to NY with my awesome boyfriend (who stood and took 10000s of pictures for me) on a boiling hot day, which was unusual because the weather lately has been terrible- and I spent the day talking to some lovely ladies about the Internet + social media. Talking directly to young adults is the most direct way to get my message about following your dreams across- because when you’re talking to someone, they kind of have to pay attention to you. Surprisingly, I get more scared talking to kids than I do appearing on TV- TODAY Show included! Just like you get nervous about getting “approval” from your friends, I get nervous getting approval from other teens. You never know what people are going to think about you, and that can be a really scary feeling.

In M.I.N.T, talks- we always try and avoid NOT talking about feelings. I feel like our generation is getting things wrong by not talking about their feelings, or only talking about them behind a screen. Things like sexting, and cutting, and eating disorders are really uncomfortable topics to talk about. They’re even scarier to talk about when you’re surrounded by a bunch of people who you think might judge you! The key is to start realizing that everyone around you is dealing with the same stuff. Don’t worry about what other people think, because they’re curious what you’re thinking, too.

If you’re happy on the inside, I guarantee you it’ll show on the outside.

Read a longer article on People HERE.

Xo,

Alexa