Singer-songwriter, actress and TV personality Adrienne Bailon has been one of my favorites since her 3LW days. She then became part of Disney’s International phenomenon The Cheetah Girls and went on pursue a solo career after that.  She currently keeps it real on daytime talk show, “The Real,” and has recently partnered with Carefree on a recent campaign. I caught up with her at an event for the feminine brand a couple weeks ago and decided to tap her for her Five Rules For Life. Here they are, in her words.

1. Comparison is the thief of joy.

A lot of us women tend to compare ourselves to other women, which doesn’t allow us to celebrate ourselves and our uniqueness. Especially in the world of social media, where everyone is broadcasting their own reels, it can be tough not to compare yourself to others. Just stay true to yourself and that will bring you the most happiness.

2. Proper preparation prevents poor performance.

You need a morning routine and a night before to prepare for the next day. Stay organized—I’m known for making lists like packing lists, lists of things to get done before bed. I also lay out my clothes before bed to make sure I’m prepared for my day every morning.

3. Talent gets you through the door; character keeps you there.

It’s not always about what you do but how you do it. Be kind to people, be good to people. You’ll get far in life.

4. If you stay ready, you never have to get there.

Go to the grocery store as if you’ll meet the man of your dreams. Then, if you need to go to a brunch right after, you’re ready! If you’re always ready wearing a Carefree panty liner, you’ll stay fresh and be prepared for anything that might come your way.

5. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

It’s not just body cleanliness, even though that’s super important. But, coming home to a clean home brings so much peace to my life. Being organized and keeping a clean tidy living space is so great for mental clarity

Thanks, Adrienne! Stay tuned for more Five Rules.

“Five Rules,” is a series on Rouge18 in which I ask others to share their five rules for life about anything and everything. You can learn a lot about a person by reading which five things govern their actions, no?