24 Lessons I've Learned in 24 Years
Today is my 24th birthday! This past year has been one like no other. I’ve:
Traveled to Hawaii with my family
Saw Hamilton and Wicked
Had multiple girls’ trips to NYC
Started my blog
And lived through a pandemic
Over this past year and the many experiences I’ve had, I’ve learned many things that I hope to carry with me in the coming years. So here are the 24 lessons I’ve learned in 24 years!
#1: IF YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE A SITUATION OR OPPORTUNITY IS FUELING YOU, GET OUT OF IT
#2: FINANCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS PHYSICAL HEALTH
Say it again for the people in the back!
#3: JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS BEEN YOUR FRIEND FOR A LONG TIME DOESN’T MEAN THEY’RE A GOOD FRIEND
#4: IT’S OKAY TO CUT TOXIC PEOPLE OUT OF YOUR LIFE (EVEN IF THEY’RE YOUR FAMILY)
#5: DON’T DRESS TO HIDE YOURSELF BECAUSE YOUR BODY IS BEAUTIFUL
#6: YOU ARE DOING ENOUGH ALREADY
My generation has been swept up into “hustle culture”, where you can always be making more money or doing more things. I truly believe that this is one of the main reasons there is such a pervasive mental health crisis. So if I’m the first and only one to tell you, you are doing enough already!
#7: SPEND MORE TIME FIGURING OUT WHAT YOU THINK
#8: MIRACLES TAKE TIME
#9: FEED YOUR SOUL NOW RATHER THEN PUTTING IT OFF UNTIL LATER
Life’s too short to keep putting off happiness and purpose.
#10: EVERY TIME WE SPEND MONEY WE REINFORCE WHAT WE VALUE (SO SPEND IT WISELY)
#11: EVERYONE IS FIGHTING THEIR OWN DEMONS
Since I deal with my own mental and emotional health struggles, I remind myself that others are doing the same. So I strive to treat others with care and respect so as to not make their lives harder but provide some light.
#12: WORK THROUGH YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES AND TRAUMA, AND THEN LET THEM GO
Try your best to not carry your past around on your shoulders. Work through it with journaling or meditation or therapy, and move forward in life.
#13: SOCIAL MEDIA ISN’T AS IMPORTANT AS YOU THINK
#14: BE HONEST WITH PEOPLE
#15: VULNERABILITY IS THE SOURCE OF ALL CONNECTION, BELONGING, AND LOVE
This year I fell in love with Brené Brown. If you haven’t watched her Netflix special, please do yourself a favor and do so right away. Regardless, Brené Brown is a psychologist that studies vulnerability and shame. She shares that vulnerability, where it may be hard, is the source of all connection, belonging, and love. So show up because you’re worth it.
#16: TRUST YOURSELF
#17: DON’T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP TO YOUR PARENTS
You know what is best for you, so don’t allow your parents to continually dictate every move that you make in your life.
#18: LIVE AS A KID - DREAM, IMAGINE, BE FEARLESS AND TAKE CHANCES
#19: TIME FLIES SO TRY TO MAKE EACH DAY COUNT
#20: KEEP AN OPEN MIND BECAUSE THEY’RE A LOT OF THINGS TO LEARN
I hope to never reach a point where I think I know it all. I believe in continuous learning and growing, and that doesn’t necessarily mean getting another degree. That means being open to new experiences and people and allowing them to open your eyes to something new.
#21: ALWAYS LOOK FOR SOMETHING TO BE GRATEFUL FOR
There are many, you just have to take the time to look.
#22: NO ONE IS EVER GOING TO MAKE YOU HAPPY IF YOU CAN’T BE HAPPY BY YOURSELF
#23: YOU ALONE HAVE THE POWER TO CREATE THE LIFE YOU WANT
So stop looking for validation outside and start doing the things you’ve always dreamed of.
#24: YOUR EMOTIONS ARE VALID
This is my mantra for the year! I struggle with second-guessing myself so I have to keep reminding myself that my emotions are valid and I’m able to make my own decisions.
So there we have it, the 24 lessons I’ve learned in 24 years. Let me know in the comments if you agree about any of these life lessons and feel free to share any other lessons you’ve learned as well. Thanks for supporting the blog!
