22

I'm 22 now. Which means I've been on this spinning blue planet for 8,030 days.

Whenever my birthday comes around I like to reflect on the past 365 days. What's happened? What have I learned? How have I changed because of it? What haven't I done, that I should have?

Change is constant. Looking back, I can't believe how much I've grown as a person. You don't notice it as the days go by, but it hits you once you reflect on the experiences you've had, and recognize that that's not you anymore. How you behaved, thought, reacted, it's all an old version of yourself. Each day, week, month, year, you're becoming more "yourself", and it's ever changing. New perspectives, ideas, beliefs, and you continue to evolve each and every day.

I've learned a lot this past year, about myself, and others. But there's been some recurring ideas/thoughts that have resonated with me, and are worth mentioning.

1. The world isn't against you.

Don't believe that when things go wrong it's happening to you, it's simply happening in the same time and space. It's your reaction to the situation that gives it power. Try your best to perceive the things "going wrong" as something you can learn from, and grow from. Take whatever shit cards you were dealt and use them the best you can.

2. Save your money, then spend it.

I set up a savings account and consistently deposited money from each paycheck, vowing not to dip into it unless it was an emergency. I didn't know exactly what I was saving for, a car maybe? Future rent? A vacation? I had to quit overthinking it. The point of saving money is that you'll spend it on something you want. So I did, I went to Hawaii, Germany, and bought myself a pair of skis. You can't always have the mindset that there's something bigger and better around the bend, because then you'll never end up spending any of your hard earned money on the things/experiences you've always wanted.

3. Some people aren't meant to last a lifetime.

People come, and people go. And each of them teach you things about yourself. What you appreciate in others, what you deserve, and what you need. Sometimes they're lessons, they teach you to listen to your gut instinct, to not take any crap, and to follow your heart. They can act as a beacon of hope, that good people are out there, and that you deserve them- whoever they may be. Time doesn't stop for anyone, and sometimes things don't work out with people because time keeps moving, even when you aren't ready. But time keeps moving, and people go, but they also come.

4. Stop daydreaming, start doing.

Thinking and planning all the incredible things you want to accomplish in your life is great and all, but thinking is not doing. Make a plan, then follow through. Break down your goals into attainable steps, steps that aren't too big and overwhelming. You don't want to scare yourself out of doing whatever it is you want to do! Then, put these steps into action. Buy the plane ticket, book the hotel, go on the date, join the club. No one ever got anywhere staying in their comfort zone.

These are just a couple of ideas/thoughts that have really hit home for me this past year. They're concepts I want to keep in the forefront of my mind. I'm proud of what I've learned, and I'm thankful that through trial and error I took what's gotten thrown at me, and learned. Some lessons were harder than others, but I learned nonetheless.

But tomorrow's a new day, and change is constant. Each day I'm becoming more "me", whoever that may be.