On many occasions I often find myself admiring the photography and philosophy of Jay Alvarrez's enthralling Instagram, as well as the epitome of beauty, his girlfriend Alexis Ren. The 22 year old Hawaiian, extreme sports enthusiast Jay, and 19 year old, Californian model Alexis document their extraordinary lives to nearly 10 million Instagram followers between them, yet before they met, the two were simply just tumblr famous teenagers.
Scrolling through their photos and Youtube videos shows an endless stream of comments of '#goals', referring to their relationship, life and looks, as well as, "I want their life" and "I wish I was them". Jay even has a lip tattoo saying 'let's live', like we should be in the moment, and with happiness and not with the jealously we all have towards their lives, right? So why be threatened by their success, and why not get off our own asses and chase the life we so deeply desire?
Where most people view money and time as their major obstacle from living a life as such, this never ceased the dreamboat pair, as before the fame they started out the same. In a Cosmopolitan interview Jay reveals that on his and Alexis's first date he couldn't afford the $27.50 bill from their meal, due to being a broke, misfit "island kid" at the time. Yet, they pursued and created the life of their dreams, living to the fullest, building a name for themselves and never giving up on it. And although we can, but not realistically, just book a flight to the Maldives this instant and travel like them, big things start with small steps, just like Jay and Alexis's journey to the ultimate lifestyle.
So here are some lessons to be learnt from them, and ways to begin making your reality as extraordinary as theirs:
○ Create your own freedom; Jay and Alexis decided not to work 9-5 lifestyles and chose to shape their own careers.
○ Do what you love, as often as possible or everyday, and document it.
○ Don't waste your life in a job you hate, find an occupation that never feels like actual work.
○ Use your own skills and talents to your advantage. You may not be a model but you can perform numerical analysis or are an amazing photographer.
○ Make the most of each moment and every opportunity you are granted with.
○ Don't be scared to do the unknown or take risks in your career or personal life.
○ Live in the present and make/chase your own dreams without putting them off or waiting for the 'right time'.
○ Don't forget to be kind and humble.
○ Stop scrolling through their life wishing it was yours without taking action, put your phone down, and make it happen.
While making myself and the online community undeniably jealous of their reality, it doesn't make me resent mine, however inspires me to live greater in my own little way. While that's skydiving and shark-swimming to some and perhaps spending time with family to others, everyone should become their own version of '#goals' and let others envy your life. We chase the things we don't have because we will never be fully satisfied. So carpe fucking diem, seize the day, and make the most of these glorious lives we have been given, starting now.
Photos credit of: @jayalvarrez @alexisren