Ega Jones

Tough Love Tuesday, No. 21

• Don’t overdo it on the perfume-slash-cologne. It’s a delicate thing. It’s the kind of thing where I don’t really want to smell you unless I’m making out with you. That’s how you should think about it. Spray on just enough that you smell really, really great—if someone is standing really, really close to you. No one else needs to smell you.
• Would it kill you to be nice? Look, I know you’re having a tough time of it—aren’t we all?—but life is so much easier if you treat other people kindly, give ‘em a smile, and look like you’re happy to be there. Try it.
• You should also try actually being happy to be where you are. You know what they say, attitude is everything. No one else can make you happy, only you. Stuff like that. So, try to be happy! Try to enjoy the moment you’re in, without worrying about what just happened or what’s coming next. It’s not easy, but it’s not like you have anything better to do!
• When you find that you have a good thing, don’t take it for granted. Show your love and appreciation often; make it want to stay around.
• First date conversations need a serious revamp, people. Do not ask me what “bands” I like or what I like to “do for fun.” Ugh! Horrible! No one knows how to answer these questions without sounding like a jerk. Try for some authentic, sensible questions. Ask people what they did last weekend, what their dream job is, or what books they’re reading. Okay, those are still kind of lame—but they’re BETTER.
• Expand your mind! Learn and grow. See what there is to see. Read. Go to museums. Watch interesting people do interesting things. Stretch yourself. Do not just sit and watch Real Housewives act like idiots. I mean, you can do some of that, but that doesn’t make you an interesting person! Go do something! Achieve something. Challenge yourself. Do it now.
• Most of all, keep being the delectable darlings you already are! I believe in you.