#136 - Ireland Parsons - The ONE Mistake Everyone Makes In Their 20's

Ireland Parsons returns with a heart full of stories, lessons, and dreams after spending a transformative year abroad. Her time immersed in different cultures has not only reshaped her worldview but also helped her navigate personal growth in ways she never expected. Now preparing for an exciting move to Italy to pursue her passion for fashion, Ireland joins us today to reflect on her journey—how traveling alone challenged her, what she learned about relationships and comparison in her 20s, and the evolving mindset that is guiding her into adulthood.

Traveling abroad opened Ireland’s eyes to the diversity of life’s rhythms—from the vibrant, sometimes overwhelming streets of Athens to the poised quiet of Austria. Navigating these contrasts brought moments of awe, but also challenges like safety concerns and loneliness. Yet through it all, Ireland discovered resilience and strength she didn’t know she had. Confronting her anxiety and pushing herself out of her comfort zone, she found confidence through connection, meaningful friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the comforts and relationships she had taken for granted back home. Her love for Italy, sparked by a teenage visit, now calls her back—not just as a tourist but as a student of fashion, ready to absorb its artistry and elegance where it lives and breathes.

Being away from home taught Ireland hard but valuable lessons about who truly shows up when distance is involved. While time zones and busy lives sometimes strained communication, it became clear which connections were rooted in love and mutual care. Simultaneously, she has faced the quiet struggle of comparison—seeing peers move through traditional milestones while she took a different path. Through conscious mental reframing and the wisdom of thinkers like Mel Robbins, Ireland began to understand that everyone’s path is uniquely timed. Comparison became a tool for empathy rather than self-judgment, and she’s learned to build relationships that are authentic, mutually fulfilling, and supportive of personal growth during this unpredictable phase of life.

Ireland’s twenties have brought a conscious shift in how she views herself and the world. No longer seeing struggles as setbacks, she now embraces them as essential parts of the story that shape her. This growth mindset has helped her let go of people and situations that no longer align, and embrace gratitude even in uncertainty. Daily affirmations, being present, and reminding herself that “everything happens for a reason” help her stay grounded. More than anything, she has begun defining happiness on her own terms—choosing joy, solitude, self-investment, and connection over societal expectations. She now sees her life as a gift, one she gets to shape moment by moment.

Ireland’s journey reminds us that stepping away from the familiar can often lead us back to who we truly are. Through travel, relationships, and a constantly evolving mindset, she’s finding her way—not by following a map, but by trusting the process and staying curious about the road ahead. As she prepares for her next chapter in Italy, she carries with her not only dreams of fashion but the confidence of someone who has learned how to build a life that feels like her own.

KEEP IT LONG TERM!