I think we can all agree when I say people are quick to judge. As Vancouverites, we tend to keep our social circles small and our Instagram’s on point. In the growing age of the Internet and social media, it’s tough not to constantly compare yourself to other people. Especially because most of us, whether we like to admit it or not, put in a solid effort to make our lives seem drastically more interesting and glamorous online than they really are in our lives offline. Let’s face it, not only do we hear ourselves say “sorry” for things we shouldn’t necessarily be “sorry” for on a day-to-day basis, the reality is sometimes we feel guilty about almost everything we do. Vancouver is a big city and at the end of the day, we’re all our own worst critics. It’s time we accept our flaws, learn from our bad decisions, and realize we’re all guilty of feeling guilty about things we shouldn’t feel guilty about. In an effort to lift some of this weight off our shoulder’s, I’ve curated a list of things Vancouver girls don’t need to be ashamed of. Photo cred - @cactusclubcafe 1. Eating out at Cactus Coal Harbour three times a week We love food, a good atmosphere, and a great view. We also all know the front of a Cactus menu almost as well as we know our best friends. Photo cred - @leamsie 2. Being a bandwagon Canucks fan It’s a love/hate relationship. What better way to start small talk around Vancouver than sparking a conversation about how shit*y the Canucks played in their last game or telling a guy how excited you are for the playoffs. “So, about that local sports team, eh?" 3. Having High Tea at Secret Garden Tea Company just "for the Gram” There’s really no need to hide snapping that pic of you and your cute little tea cup behind a 3-foot-tall tower of cheese, bread, and cake. We all do it and we do so in the name of Instagram. Basically, we all want to have our cake and Instagram it too. Photo cred - @thebiminipub 4. Going to The Bimini for College Night on a weekday The week is hard and so are our vodka sodas. Sometimes The Bimini College night on Wednesday’s is the best place to enjoy a “study break” and deal with your hangover the next day. Just enough time to recover by Friday, right? Photo cred - @haylbopper 5. Buying that shirt from Aritzia because it was “on sale” This picture pretty much sums it up. Photo cred - @cureboredomyvr 6. Day drinking at Wreck Beach on a beautiful Vancouver summer day Vancouver is one of the only places where one sunny day after a week of clouds and showers justifies wearing your bikini to the beach and enjoying a “boozy freezie”, inevitably ending with your top off in front of 100 other topless strangers. I have three words for you: Free The Nipple. Photo cred - @wholefoods 7. Spending all your grocery money at Whole Foods “Excuse me, is this gluten free?”. There is a reason it’s nicknamed “Whole Paycheck” in my house and it’s due to the daily consumption of a $20.00 salad bar take away box. Photo cred - @vancityhype 8. Not being able to purchase your own home in your 20’s The Vancouver housing market is a mess. It’s no secret that, at the current rate, it’s unsustainable and shows no sign of slowing down. Unless you plan on inheriting a trust fund anytime soon, don’t feel bad about paying rent on an apartment or living at your parents’ house for a couple extra years than you intended. Photo cred - @purebarrevancouver 9. Using Tinder to get a free coffee date at 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters in Kits We’ve all been on a few bad Tinder dates, which is why it’s absolutely key that you pick the place. More importantly, a place which serves great coffee and even better deserts. If the two of you didn’t hit it off, at least you can walk to the beach donut in hand. Photo cred - @weheartit 10. Netflix and Chillin' by yourself on a Friday night instead of going out The FOMO is strong with this one, but once in a while it’s nice to avoid the Granville strip and curl up with to-go sushi in bed while binge watching an entire season of your favourite show. Photo cred - @weheartit 11. Failing a course in your first year at UBC A lot of people beat themselves up about a bad grade, but try not to because University is hard and takes some getting used to. Just remember a grade does not define you - how you deal with it does. Learn from your mistakes and try again. That’s real achievement. Follow us on Snapchat: narcityvan