It’s my blog and I’ll make a playlist if I want to. Instead of getting all nostalgic (aka how I always live my life), I’ve decided to make a playlist that explains how I want to live my life as a 24 year old.

I’ve been really good at getting really emotional about things that have happened and taking things seriously. I can remember times where I spent so much energy and time crying out of frustration with my parents and with crushes. I felt so annoying always talking about my stupid feelings and frustrations all the time, to the point of feeling like I was burdening my friends. To all my friends that put up with that, thank you so much. I love y’all.

Heading into the thick of life as a young adult though, that’s not the narrative I’m looking to have. I’m looking for something a little more age-appropriate if you will.

One of the major themes of this season of life is adventure. I keep picturing myself going to concerts and music festivals and just making adventures and memories out of that. I feel like existing somewhere between a 70s queen and the indie rock manic pixie dream girl I’ve always wanted to be. Through that, I’m taking my love for God to the next level by learning to trust him courageously—especially in said adventures. With my friends, I want to celebrate everything, even the hard stuff. With career, I want to act like the burgeoning boss lady I am, knowing that I’m on my way to make cool things happen.

So, to summarize, this personal statement. I don’t want to take little things seriously anymore. Life is a party and I’m gonna celebrate it. I don’t know, all I hope is that when 25 year-old Kelly comes in next year, she’ll have PLENTY of stories to tell. It’s time for the world to see some 24 Kelly Magic ✨

Highlights:
She Wolf – Shakira
“A domesticated girl that’s all you ask of me. Darling it is no joke, this is lycanthropy.”
I was 10 when this song came out and I remember being so caught off guard by it. As a kid, I felt like I always had to practice self-restraint, to the point of obsessing over not being 100% composed all of the time. Over the years that need to look and feel perfect at all times has faded away for the most part. Heading into 24, I’m letting that She Wolf out in public more, meaning I’m gonna aim to be my social butterfly self in spaces where I won’t know anyone. Most of all, I’m looking for fun in these places and with new people. Who knows? Maybe I’ll “go somewhere cozy to find me a lover and tell you about it.”
Similar in theme: For Elise by Saint Motel, Rearview by Bad Suns, Rare by Selena Gomez, Televised by HUNNY, Do Everything Now by Saint Motel, Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac, Juice by Lizzo

I Know A Place – MUNA
“But if you want to go out dancing, I know a place.”
My friend Maddy showed me this song and it’s quickly become one of my favorites. Music is central to who I am. Getting lost in a song calms my restless body, mind, heart, and spirit. That’s literally why I run this blog. This song is a theme song of that, the celebration of music and friendship being a safe space. I want to be with my friends in everything: through sadness, frustration, fear, and joy. And if they want to go dancing, I’ll find a place for us.
Similar in theme: 24K Magic by Bruno Mars; A Miracle, A Mile Away by Bad Suns; Lost in the Wild by WALK THE MOON; Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by STRFKR

Burning – Maggie Rogers
“I’m in love, I’m alive, oh I’m burning.”
I understand what love is through my faith in God. I’ve seen how He’s changed me with His love and I can’t imagine being any other way. I’ve spent too much time hung up on getting other people to love me, so much that it’s broken me before. Understanding how God’s love is eternal and vast and just ultimately good, has made me live with pure joy and empowered me to love others expecting nothing in return. If freedom is what I’ve always searched for, I’ve found it with that deep love. More on that later though.
Similar in theme: Coloring Outside the Lines by Misterwives, Don’t Take the Money by Bleachers, Vulnerable by Selena Gomez

Why So Serious – Alice Merton
“Try to learn to let go of all those things that tie you down. Get rid of it, the voice inside that tells me that, ‘I’m scared, yeah, scared as shit.’ But I wanna let go of it now.”
This song is what started this reinvention for this year. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve stopped caring about things I used to obsess over. It’s really a game of catching your self in those anxious thoughts and asking yourself if it’s really worth stressing about. I’m gonna practice that more this year.
Similar in theme: Changes by Lauv, Like a Girl by Lizzo, Outskirts of Paradise by Bad Suns, Back In My Body by Maggie Rogers, Something to Believe In by Young the Giant, Patience by Bad Suns, Year of Self by Talk Time