Slow down you crazy child.
21 lessons I am taking into my 21st year of life.
I love my birthday. And anyone who knows me knows that’s true. I have a list of favourite holidays which is ranked as follows:
Birthdays
New Years Eve
Valentines Day
Christmas
Halloween
This year though I feel more anxious about my birthday. I keep finding myself wishing I could postpone it to a later date, or get a medical certificate and apply for a two week extension. But that’s not the case and I need to take a deep breath in and smell the roses. Actually, I had an Instagram notification for my birthday today and it pulled 12 memories from my stories as a celebration (?) Anyways, as I tapped through I realised I actually have accomplished a lot as a 20-year-old, even if I refuse to acknowledge it.
So, here are the 21 lessons I learnt this year:
Whose peace are you keeping? This was advice shared by my dear friend Lucia in a real low moment. And tbh I think it’s something many people have tried to help me realise but Lucia, a true wordsmith, opened my eyes to my severe people pleasing tendencies.
Hard conversations are worth having. You’re probably psyching yourself out.
Stay hungry - if you keep asking you will receive. Don’t let your dream slide away because of one set back or lack of response. Follow up, people can be busy and you need to show you actually care.
A morning walk solves all.
Keep your wardrobe basic. Having less will make your life so much easier by removing the decision fatigue of getting dressed in the morning. It also leads you to be more intentional with the pieces you buy.
It’s never too late to reach out. Even when you feel like you are drowning - stick your hand up! It’s never that deep and people want to help you. I mean this with school work but also with friends. If you are feeling low just knock on their door - they will always know how to make you feel better & that’s the beauty of friendship.
Keep a little black book of important contacts.
It’s in the little things. My favourite moments with my friends are the simple Wednesday movie nights, matcha runs, and walks around the river. All you need is good company and I am lucky to only have the best.
Sometimes you can just say no. There’s no point over extending yourself and maybe this is a lesson I still need to learn.
Trust your gut.
What if it does work out. Stop thinking of the worse case and re channel that energy to the best case scenario.
Just because you feel out of place doesn’t mean you are. You are in that room for a reason and you deserve as much as the next person to be there. So get out of your head, enjoy the moment and recognise your ability.
It’s alright, you can afford to lose a day or two. I listened to Vienna probably every day of year 12 and this lyric has only hit now, three years into university. You can afford to lose a day - you won’t lose all your progress or fall behind.
Get out and boogie! Grab your girl friends and dance the night away. Nothing is more healing than a good ol’ boogie.
Nobody hates you.
Tea actually is delicious. Shout out to my British friends xx
Believe it when others say nice things about you. They really don’t have to.
Ask yourself: why can’t you? You most likely won’t think of any legitimate reasons.
Listen to a new podcast a week. Take a break from DJ X and learn something new in a topic completely left field to your study and work.
When you think of a compliment, say it.
Friendships never go out of style. Good old Carrie Bradshaw perfectly emulating the whirlwind of everything changing as you enter new phases of your life, but the one thing that stays constant is you friends. They truly are your rock.
NB: I wrote this the night before my birthday, so I was feeling a little emo about turning 21. But my gorgeous, thoughtful, loving friends and brother threw me a surprise birthday party (which I give the recap it deserves in this week’s Weekend Edition.). Now that I am actually 21, I feel so much lighter and more positive about the year ahead. It’s going to be a great year full of newness and challenge, and I know my 20 years of life has set me up perfectly to make the most of these opportunities. Here’s to 21!
love this and you so much