From Ruby to Cherry: Life's Choices in the Hue of Red

By a 28-year-old who's still figuring it out.

It’s Saturday night, and I stand in front of my vanity, the gleaming lights overhead casting a soft glow over the array of red lipsticks I've accumulated over the years. Ruby-red, warm tone, cool tone, cherry, red-brick, the list is seemingly endless. It's fascinating, isn't it? How something as simple as choosing a shade of red can be such a complex decision.

You see, finding the perfect red lipstick is a journey. It's about understanding the nuances of your skin tone, recognizing the mood you’re in, and matching it to the occasion. Some days I resonate with a fiery, bold red, and other days, a subdued, mellow tone feels just right.

But here’s the thing - life is quite like this collection of red lipsticks.

Throughout our lives, we are presented with choices - some easy, some dauntingly difficult. Just as with lipsticks, there are decisions we need to make that require understanding, introspection, and sometimes, plain old trial and error. We have to try on different roles, hobbies, passions, relationships, and even career paths to see which ones truly suit us. Much like finding that perfect shade, recognizing what feels authentically you can be a journey of its own.

I remember back when I was 22, fresh out of college and stepping into the professional world, armed with dreams and aspirations. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. But soon, life presented me with opportunities that were out of my envisioned path - different shades of experiences, if you will. And it was daunting. It felt like standing in front of a lipstick counter, overwhelmed with options.

However, as I navigated through these choices, trying on various roles, I realized something profound. Not every shade I tried was a match, but every attempt brought me closer to understanding myself better. Just as you might find that a cool-toned red doesn't complement your skin, you might discover that a certain job or relationship doesn’t align with your core values. But that’s okay. It’s all part of the exploration. Every mismatch is a lesson, a stepping stone towards finding what truly fits.

So, my dear besties, as I sit here, pondering over which shade of red to wear tonight, I urge you to embrace the plethora of choices life offers. Dive into the myriad shades of experiences, relationships, and opportunities. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, and it's okay to make mistakes. Your biggest homework in this vast school of life is to figure out which shades match you the best.

Because, in the end, life, much like lipstick, is about finding what makes you feel beautiful, confident, and unapologetically yourself. So, go on, explore, and cherish the journey.

Until next time,
Your fellow red lipstick enthusiast.