There is a large sect of people who whole heartedly believe that in order to keep it real they can’t progress. 

They can’t wear fitted clothing, because that’s for (insert a certain group of people that make them feel insecure). They can’t make a subject and verb agree, because that would mean they think they are uppity after applying the lessons from their education. They feel like if they dine at places with white table cloths or dress up as oppose to dumbing it down they have sold out.

To those people I would argue that keeping it real is a temporary state of mind. That is to say that real should be based on your current situation. It should not be a cage or jail cell that holds you hostage throughout your twenties, your thirties, and so on.

If you still speak the same, dress the same, act the same, and think the same way you aren’t keeping it real you’re missing out on growth. Keep it real and keep learning keep growing and keep developing. 
Many of us don’t challenge the way we think or allow others to. We take the exact same trips with the exact same people literally and figuratively. Travel to a place you’ve yet to experience. Go alone. Meet up with some people who’ve been good to you and learn a little more about them.

At one time I said I would never wear fitted clothing. I felt the need to speak in ways that weren’t representative of the education I had received. I wouldn’t try new foods and I ordered the same thing no matter what restaurant I visited. I missed out on so many opportunities to expand my pallet and to try something new. I missed a chance to move ahead of where the old me was.

I would argue that I even kept company that no longer pushed me, challenged me, and allowed me to stay the same. I won’t say I’ve broken all the things keeping me from moving ahead but I’ve identified them and I’m working on removing those blocks.

When you look back on your life, look back on a life where year over year you beater your last year. Look back and see you moved forward maybe your path wasn’t the perfectly laid path at the beginning, but look back and see you created a path that you have no regrets on. 

Move ahead of where you were yesterday, last week, last month, and last year. Keep it real by learning more about yourself by experiencing things you’ve yet to experience with people you may have not given the opportunity.