OK, so my 21st birthday was last week, but I really liked this post that Wishcake did when she turned 25. She did 25 lessons she’s learned in the last 25 years. So I’m going to do 21 lessons that I’ve learned in the last 21 years!
By the way, I was totally impressed with the number of comments I got on my birthday post! I had no idea I had that many readers. Why don’t you guys comment all the time?!
21 Lessons:
1. Nobody likes red wine the first time they drink it. It’s an acquired taste – force yourself to drink a couple glasses and you might find that you really, really, really like it. Plus, it’s classy.
2. You’re stronger than you think, and anything that doesn’t kill you does make you stronger – I really believe that.
3. You can’t change people. People need to change themselves and they will only change if they want to, not if you want them to.
4. Everyone has flaws. Embrace yours.
5. You’re never alone; somewhere out there, someone is going through the exact same thing that you’re going through at that very same moment.
6. The grass always seems greener on the other side; no matter what side you’re on.
7. You only get one body; respect it, take care of it and feed it chocolate every once in awhile.
8. Nobody can ever take your education away from you. So even though MORE schooling and studying can seem intimidating and a waste of time, it’s something you will always have. Forever.
9. On that note, college/university just might be the best years of your life.
10. It’s perfectly acceptable to sleep in until noon every so often.
11. Sometimes crying just feels good.
12. Trust and laughter are two of the most important aspects of a relationship.
13. Always put a little bit of every paycheque into savings; even if it’s only a few bucks a month.
14. Coffee may taste gross, but it’ll keep you awake when you have a test to cram for or a paper to finish.
15. Don’t underestimate the power of your mind. You can do things you never thought possible if you put your mind to it.
16. Talking is so healing. When you communicate with people about your problems, whether it’s face-to-face, blogging, over the phone or email it can really help you gain perspective.
17. It’s OK to get really drunk and make a fool of yourself occasionally, especially on your birthday! Right?!
18. Size doesn’t matter; how you eat and how often you work out, and most importantly, how you feel is what really matters. And no matter what your size you can look amazing, you just have to choose clothes to suit your body!
19. Writing multiple lists and using multi-coloured pens and highlighters is totally OK; it doesn’t make you a nerd, it just makes you organized!
20. Laughing until your belly hurts and there are tears rolling down your cheeks is the best medecine.
21. Live in the now; you can’t change the past, you only have so much control over the future. Enjoy and live your life today.
What are some lessons you’ve learned in your lifetime?
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this! My birthday is Thursday and I’m totally going to do a blog like this as well!
You’ve got some great advice/lessons in there!
I love your list… and I really hope your #5 is true.
Thanks so much for sharing Caitlin’s post about her knee. I do read her blog and I read that last night. I’ve been watching her closely because I know she has the same thing as me, but I get SO frustrated because I do all the same thing she does and mine still hurts. Grr
I dont’ even need to run a marathon, a 5k would work!
this was fun to read…..i’m sure the lessons learned change year after year!
That is a great list Amber! I would add – trust your gut. You have better instincts than you think. Sometimes it is just hard to listen to them all.
I’m so glad you had such a great b-day and I love this concept!!!
P.S. How you actually choke down coffee when you don’t like the taste is beyond me! Ugh!
Holy moley – you got a lot of comments on your birthday post! Wowzers, that is so cool!!
Great list!
All so very, very true.
I think what I’ve learned over the last 28.5 years is to stop caring so much about what others think & to be true to yourself. It’s summed well by a Dr. Seuss quote that goes something like: “Be who you are and say what you think because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Have a great Monday!
wow, great list amber! it will be fun for you to look back at that same list 10 years from now and see how your thought processes have changed.
21 is an optimistic age still, when you get older and have more responsibilities and kids, etc. it really does change your entire way of thinking. I think you will really appreciate that when the time is right. be sure you hang onto this list!
and if the grass is always green on the other side of the fence, live on both sides! that’s a work hard/play hard reference.
So many of these are so true. I am glad u enjoyed ur 21st birthday you deserve it.
PS i love reading ur blog
ttyl
I couldn’t agree more about the red wine! I’m so glad I forced myself to drink it
That was a really fun post! I guess something that I have learned over the past few years is that no matter how often you fall, you have to get yourself back up.
I love this list. You’re very insightful for 21. And I definately agree that chocolate is always a good thing and your college years can eb the best years-savour them like a fine wine and maybe have a little bit of the real stuff to go with
So there’s really someone else out there right now who’s also facing jail time for filling his neighbor’s Prius with peanut butter? Small world.
@Jay – I was thinking more in terms of “big picture” and by going through the EXACT same thing at the EXACT same moment I meant more emotionally than literally.
So ya, there’s probably someone out there right now feeling like an idiot for doing something equally as stupid as filling his/her neighbours Prius with peanut butter.
Thanks for stopping by the blog
I love these! I may have to write one for my birthday.
Love #7. Also? I’ve tried wine before, and I’m not a big fan. I actually think red wine is better than white, though. I’d LOVE to be a fan of wine.
Great list … red wine and olives and now I love them both!
Happy Birthday
Agreed on the wine statement.
I’ve learned to never make decisions at night and that yes, you can go home again.
Fun post and some great tips. A few of mine would be…
1) don’t be your own worst enemy. You have to believe in yourself and love who you are in order to expect others to do the same.
2) don’t be afraid to live on the wild side once in a while. be daring. you’ll learn from those experiences.
3) remember that you have to take care of yourself in order to take care of others. When your job and your volunteering and your friends seem so much more important than YOUR OWN LIVELYHOOD, it’s time to take a breathe and honor yourself.
I’m still not a huge fan of red wine. But I still drink it because after all, I’ll eventually like it, right?
What a great list, Amber! I love your philosophy on life, it always puts a smile on my face when I may be feeling down!
I agree, the years at University may be the best of your life! So far, they definitely have been for me, but I have faith (and a sneaky suspicion) that the best is yet to come!
Totally agree, with the red wine comment! There are so many too, it’s so much fun to go pick a new one and see if it’s any good!
I love the education comment too. Technically, I do not need my degree for the line of work I’m doing, but I do not regret getting it for a second. I know for a fact I use it on a daily basis and it has absolutely made me a better and stronger person.
Happy birthday again! xxx
This was really beautiful. So many great lessons.
Thanks for sharing your list! I was nodding in agreement to each item. Lovely.
My tip/lesson would be: Stay happy. Choose happiness.
Amber, I love this post!! So true, and so inspiring. Some things I have learned in my 21 years include (but are not limited too)…
- Every single thing that happens to you, whether bad, good, big or small – will have some affect on who you become, and who you choose to be.
- My parents were right, life is FLYING past faster than I could ever imagine. Don’t hold back, accomplish absolutely everything you want to.
- Me and money will never see eye – to – eye. I love it, but it seems to run from me the second I get it. Oh well.
these are all really good lessons, many of which I have learned in my own life! one big lesson that I have learned is what you said in #5. There have been times in my life where I have experienced a great loss and during those moments, I felt like no one could ever understand what I was going through, what it feels like to lose so many people you love so young. But once out of that darkness, particularly after my brother died, I began to realize that I am not alone. So many people have experienced a sudden, tragic loss and had to come to grips with it. and what I learned too was that, even if those close to me did not yet know what I was going through, someday they would, and I would be able to be there for them, empathetic and understanding, because I already had been there myself.
What a GREAT post! Love it! You are a smart cookie at only 21! Keep those life lessons close to your heart – you’ve earned them.