Hi y’all! Yesterday was my 22nd birthday and last year I did a 21 things about me blog post so this year, I thought I do one about 21 things I’ve learned this past year!
1. Always say thank you
It doesn’t matter if it’s friends, family, or a complete stranger. People always want to be told thank you and feel appreciated.
2. Be more empathetic
You truly never know what people are going through. The slightest gesture could turn someones day around for the better or, on the other hand, one harsh word could completely break someone who was already on their last straw.
3. Life is short
This is something I’ve felt more in my 20’s than ever before. Life is passing you by quicker than ever, so are you going to let it pass you by? Or make the most of it? Grant and I were chatting in our long car ride to Boston about how we want to be remembered. I think it’s so important to have that in the back of your head now and be able to act on it for the rest of your years!
4. Give everyone an “A”
This is another nugget of wisdom Grant and I were chatting about recently. The idea is to give everyone you come in to contact with, an “A”, like a grade.
When you meet someone, don’t make them prove themselves to you. Simply be kind to them and give them the benefit of the doubt– always!
5. Positivity breathes life
In life, it is sometimes so easy to be negative. Thinking negative thoughts, talking negatively about someone or something, or simply complaining. Hearing someone complain or talk poorly about someone is the most depressing thing to hear. (one of the many reasons journaling is so important! Get those negative complaints out on paper and figure out what you ARE grateful for)
Positivity breathes life and it is contagious! If you start thinking and talking positively, people around you will catch on to what you’ve started.
6. Being uncomfortable means you’re growing
I was reading a book recently that said something along the lines of, if you’re the smartest person in the room, find a different room. Meaning, you always want to surround yourself with people who are different and smarter than you.
Never stop learning and growing.
7. Directions are not my strength
Just something I’ve learned about myself :/ But I’m getting better!
8. If you work hard and stay consistent, you can do whatever you want
Nothing is out of reach! You can do anything you put your mind to.
9. Life changes can be scary
It takes me a very long time to process things & change. I go into this daze where each day just passes me by and I avoid the emotions that I’ve hidden deep down. It’s OK to let it out, talk it out, write it out, so you can start embracing change!
10. Making friends is not hard
This is something I have to remind myself because, especially moving to a new city, making friends can seen like a daunting task. This day and age, it’s easier than ever to connect with someone and call or text them to meet up. It’s also not difficult to immerse yourself in social settings — you just gotta go for it! Don’t overthink it 🙂
11. It will all work out
This has pretty much been my motto my whole life — I think my parents engrained it into me. I am a very go-with-the-flow type of person and maybe it’s because I’m a Christian, but I just KNOW that one way or another, things will work out just how they are suppose to. Ultimately, at a certain point, there is nothing we can do about it!
12. You are doing great
I thought you might need to hear that 🙂
13. You aren’t expected to have your life together post-grad
Everyone is moving at at different paces in life. No one is better than the other for having it “figured out” because, in reality, none of us have it figured out.
14. Be the first to say you’re sorry
Life is too short for holding grudges and being too lame to simply ask for forgiveness from whoever needs to hear it.
15. Eat the bread & order dessert
Yolo
16. I’ll never get tired of being the youngest of my friends
In high school, being the last person to get my drivers license was not fun. In college, it was the most annoying thing ever. Now that I’m 22 and the majority of my friends are 23 & 24, life is pretty sweet.
17. Vitamin D is a game changer
Get outside & take those vitamins, y’all!
18. Fresh flowers & a candle can cultivate a whole vibe
You were right, mom!
19. Patience is a virtue
Amen!
20. Be present
BIG one right here! While life is passing you by, are you going to be scrolling through Tik Tok or immersing yourself in conversations and your surroundings?
21. Don’t take yourself too seriously
Probably the biggest thing I’ve learned this year, especially while starting my blog. You CAN’T take yourself seriously if you want to get out of your comfort zone & ultimately be successful!
Every time I would get anxiety about posting a reel, Tik Tok, or YouTube video, it would end up being my best performing one. Every. Time.
I hope you found this post interesting and inspiring!
Thanks for reading! Cheers to 22!
