Scrolling, Sipping and Surviving
Happy Monday, everyone! Today I am taking you on a journey throughout a typical day in the life of a 21-year-old girl. I hope you enjoy this lighthearted and cheesy blog where I relish in my simple, basic pleasures. If you haven’t already, check out my other blogs I have written for Gary Kayye’s and my ‘MEJO 577: The Branding of Me’ class on my profile.
I’ve spent the last few weeks using my blog as an outlet for my creative writing—letting everyone get to know a different side of me that’s vulnerable and real. I’ve poured my heart out about some pretty personal stuff, from my experiences with OCD to my thoughts on womanhood. It’s been deep, reflective, and maybe a little too much overthinking for my own good. But today? Today, I’m hitting pause on the introspection. I want to show you another side of me—one that’s just as real and vulnerable, but, let’s face it—way more fun.
Because here’s the thing: most of the time, I’m not pondering life’s big questions or breaking down societal norms. I’m just a basic 21-year-old girl, living my best life. I love reading books (the more rom-com, the better), I’m obsessed with music (and by “music,” I mean Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and anyone TikTok tells me to love), and I watch the kind of cheesy TV shows that would make film critics break out in hives. (Gilmore Girls, Dancing with the Stars, I’m looking at you.)
And just like every other 21-year-old girl, I am going to prove my basicness by walking you through a typical day in my life. Spoiler alert: It’s filled with iced coffee, social media, and TikTok trends.
As soon as I wake up, the first thing I do—naturally—is shove my phone in my face to catch up on all the notifications and social media I might have missed overnight. Did I miss anything life-changing? Of course not. But that doesn’t stop me from scrolling through Instagram, and TikTok and checking a hundred group chats just to make sure.
Once I’m convinced the world didn’t fall apart without me, I roll out of bed and start getting ready for work or class. Step one: clip my hair back using the latest TikTok Shop hair clips (which may or may not actually do anything). Then, it’s time for my trendy skincare routine, because apparently slathering overpriced serums on my face is the key to adulthood. Do I fully understand what these products do? Not at all. But they look cute on my bathroom shelf, so who cares?
After spending too much time on my face, it’s on to my curated makeup routine—brought to you by my favorite influencers. While I’m doing this, I’ve usually got a sitcom running in the background, because why not? This week’s pick: Seinfeld. Before heading out the door, I whip up my non-negotiable iced coffee and grab a bagel. Oh, and let’s not forget my goodbye ritual with my cat, Mr. Milo—because who else is going to take care of this household while I’m gone?
Now, onto the commute. Some days, I like to feel productive and tune into Morning Brew Daily so I can pretend I’m up to date on the news. You know, for those times when I want to feel like a responsible, informed adult. But let’s be real—most mornings, I need something to distract me from the fact that I have to function like a human, which means I’m usually listening to Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast to laugh off my anxiety about all the tasks I’m about to do.
By the time the work or school day is over, I’m ready to decompress with the most important ritual of all: TikTok. Sure, this is technically the first time I’m opening the app today (a little self-restraint during the day goes a long way), but once I’m home, all bets are off. I light my Bath & Body Works candle (because ambiance is everything), get comfy, and scroll through TikTok until my thumb is sore, or until I’ve seen enough weird conspiracy theories to keep me entertained for the next 24 hours.
After a solid TikTok session, I eventually get back to being productive—schoolwork, side projects, cleaning, whatever needs doing. But when it’s time to wind down for the night, it’s back to the classics. My roommate and I settle in for some quality TV time, usually involving The Bachelor, Dancing With The Stars, or whatever ridiculous reality show is on that week. We bond over snarky commentary and snacks, because what’s better than that?
To end the night, I crack open whatever book I’m currently reading, usually something light and fun to balance out the chaos of the day. Right now, I am in the middle of reading the A Court of Thorns and Roses Series (stay tuned for a book review). It’s always a rom-com or a silly fiction read—nothing too serious because seriously, I’ve had enough deep thinking for the week. I do my wind-down skin routine and crawl in bed with my cat—a great end to the day.
So there you have it—my unapologetically basic day in life. Is it predictable? Maybe. Am I living for every iced coffee, TikTok trend, and cheesy reality TV show? Absolutely. Being basic doesn’t mean being boring. It just means I know what I like, and I’m fully embracing it. Because at the end of the day, why complicate life when the little things can make you happy?
I’m not going to pretend I’m above the trends, because I’m definitely not. Being basic is comfortable, it’s fun, and it’s not as serious as people make it out to be.
So yeah, maybe my life looks like a montage from a TikTok “Day in the Life” video. And maybe that makes me basic, but I’m okay with that. I’ve embraced it. There’s something freeing about leaning into the things you love without trying to prove that you’re more unique or different than anyone else. Sometimes, the most ordinary things are what make life extraordinary. So here’s to more podcasts, more Taylor Swift, more TikTok trends, and more moments of just being unapologetically me.
