(Photo by: CarbonNYC)

Remember the advice column? Well, we’ve been developing it and now it’s here for all of us girls seeking a helping hand along the road! How awesome is that?! Maia’s on a roll, and she’ll be the great guide here to to help throw us a life raft when we need it the most. Booyah!

Here’s what she has to say:

Ask Maia

Your Supportive Confidante

Welcome, ladies to the new Girls By Design advice column! Don’t fret, girls—we have a new advice column! My name is Maia, and I been there, done that, and I know how to help. After dealing with multiple situations, from friend drama, health trauma, family issues –the works, I can offer you some pearls of wisdom. I will give it to you straight, offering life and relationship advice in my new column. Life is most complicated whether at school, home, or a party, so let my honest advice provide a clear perspective for you, along with some witty interjections of the experienced and loving GBD editors.

So ask away, ladies! Your questions will remain anonymous

Susy says: “Why must we work sooooo hard for something that seems so easy?”

It’s all about the journey that gets you where you are – and maybe your goal isn’t that easy, which just makes the reward of reaching it that much sweeter. So no giving up! Keep pushing on, no matter how much effort it requires of you, allowing a dream to surface into reality is worth it.

Note: You may want to touch on how we never really know what it takes to do something until we do it. All to often we perceive things to be EASY without having real understanding of what it take to do the thing.

Jessica asked, “I hate feeling down and low when I fail at something I thought I had. What are some things I can do to make myself feel better?”
Note: There is such thing as failure, and it truly is a gift in disguise, if we never see or experience failure then we are unable to learn and grow. How else can we learn? Failure is nothing to be ashamed off…here is a metaphor that I learned from a mentor…”while lifting weights, it’s not until work your muscle sooo hard that it fails in strength that you then build the tissue and muscle to life more the next time, but first the muscle MUST fail in order to grow.:)

First, don’t beat yourself up about failing – there are no failures, just experiences and your reactions to them. Now, onto the fun stuff! Do a spa night! Make your own facial mask, or buy a facial mask crème (Origins and Kiss My Face products are incredible and well priced), paint your nails, exfoliate, pamper yourself and make yourself feel better! Go for a run, a walk, release that pent up stress and frustration. Take a bath, read a good book, go out with friends to dinner, or host a dinner party with good company. Paint, sketch, or write in a journal. Have a movie night, or get a good night’s sleep so the next day you can be energized and well rested to tackle that obstacle!

*Note to GBD readers: Although each one of our responses to your questions are magnificent pearls of wisdom, the advice is not professional. We are simply sharing our loving response to help y’all sort out some sticky situations.

You need any advice? Hardships you’ve faced or are facing now? Having drama in your life? Have some quirky questions you want answered? Then send whatever is tumbling around your heart and mind to info@girlsbydesign.com or maia@girlsbydesign.com and Maia will help with your troubles. You don’t have to say who you are (but you can if you want to), all submissions will be held private, confidential and will remain anonymous! Mmmkay? We don’t bite, we promise.