I am still learning.
How many times have you looked back at different periods of your life and wished you knew then what you know now? Maturing and learning from past mistakes are all part of the process of “growing up”, but it certainly never hurts to learn lessons sooner rather than later.
When I was a little girl, “the twenties” sounded very mature. My assumption was that the majority of people who were in their twenties knew nearly everything about life and had it semi-figured out. I am now a twenty-two year old who is very proud to say that I know very little about life! Although this is the case, I have still learnt a few things throughout the years.
Being in your twenties can be truly fascinating. I am thankful for a sense of wonder and excitement for what is to come. If I had it all now, what will there be to look forward to? In saying that, as I look back on these past few years, I see transitions, revelations and transformations. I have learnt so much in such a short space of time that I often forget that there will be more growth and change in the years to come.
With freedom comes responsibility and that means celebrating our success when we do things right and learning from our failures when things do not go according to plan.
Here are the lessons that I have learnt along the way!
- It is normal if your plans have adjusted: Just because your path looks different to how you expected it to be, that does not necessarily mean you have gone off track. I am starting to see how messy my own life can be. Messy does not necessarily mean you are on the wrong path. I have started to learn how to love my life just the way it is.
- There is nothing wrong with being emotional: I love the fact that I can be in touch with my emotions. I have also learnt that other people still battle with this and that is okay. Maybe if someone sees how I carry out my emotions and how I am able to feel what is going on around me, it can inspire them to dig deep and find their emotions too. Despite the heartbreaks, rejections and failures that I have encountered, I can still choose to feel my emotions with all that I have. That is worth celebrating.
- My power lies in my reactions: This is a difficult one. I am slowly learning that not everything deserves a reaction. No matter what the outcome is, I am able to walk away, understanding myself just a little more. It becomes exhausting having to react to everything that happens to me.
- My life does not have to be inline with what society thinks is perfect: There is no such thing as perfection. Tough idea to grasp, right? Living my life fully is what makes me happy.
- There is a difference between my wants and my needs: “I need that new iPhone X!”, “I need those clothes!”, “I need to go see One Direction live!” (This was a real need at the time). Growing up forces you to reevaluate your list of needs.
- I can make mistakes: I will make mistakes as I go but I will try and make things right again when I do. I am no longer a slave to fear or to my failures. It feels good to type that one out.
- It is important to appreciate a moment before it disappears: “Always hold fast to the present. Every situation, indeed every moment, is of infinite value. For it is the representative of a whole eternity.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- Stepping out of your comfort zone is worth it: This year has been just that. The comfort zone can be a really beautiful place to stay in but it will not get you anywhere. It can be so scary to take that leap of faith but it really does carries so much worth.