22 things I’ve learned so far…
Hi, party people; turning 22 this year has got me thinking and reflecting. Honestly, there are a lot of things I wish I would’ve known when I was younger, things that would’ve saved me a lot of hurt and time, but that’s life, isn’t it? Living and learning? Life is about making mistakes and being a little naive at times. The beauty is in the lessons we learn from those mistakes and experiences.
I’m trying to move away from beating myself up over the fact that I didn’t know these things earlier and I encourage you to do the same (it makes life a lot sweeter and keeps you from feeling stuck!). We hear and learn things clearly when we’re ready and, let’s be honest, we’re all just trying our best with what we know on our first go on this beautiful Earth.
Please take this as a sign to reflect on the lessons you’ve learned and start implementing them into your life now. Take your power back and don’t stay stuck in the past regretting things you’ve done and wishing you would have done things differently! (This might be a bonus thing I’ve learned…)
Let’s dive in… :)
You’ll never be able to make everyone happy. Live your life for you.
There is always going to be at least one person who isn’t going to agree with the decisions you make for yourself, in these situations you have to put yourself first! You know what’s best for you and of course, you can take other people’s opinions into consideration, but that’s the key word consideration. This is your life and if something makes you happy then you need to trust yourself and lean into that. The other people in question will get over it.
Your worth is not defined by your appearance or the number on the scale.
Oh boy, this one would’ve saved me a lot of struggle through my teen years, but again, I don’t regret anything because it has brought me to where I am today. You need to know that your worth is not riding on whether you lose those last five pounds or if you have a big butt and a tiny waist. You decide when you’re worthy and I’ll let you in on a little secret… You were born worthy, you don't have to be, do, or say anything to make you worthy. You are enough just as you are and in these situations it is not your body that is the problem, it’s your mindset.
Doing the exact same thing as someone else won’t get you the same results.
Isn't it amazing how we all shine as unique individuals? It's so important to discover what truly works for you! Emulating a favorite influencer's workout or diet won't magically make you look like them—everyone's journey is different! I adore drawing inspiration from others to adopt healthy habits, but remember to create your own path. Embrace your individuality and enjoy the process of finding what makes you feel great!
Comparison is the thief of joy (classic).
When you find yourself in the comparison trap, it can be tough, but remember—everyone’s journey is unique and that’s what makes us so special! You are one-of-a-kind, and that's an incredible truth! Instead of comparing, let’s celebrate our differences! Remember, "the grass is greener where you water it." So, focus on nurturing your own path, and you’ll be amazed at how you flourish. Embrace who you are, and watch your life blossom in ways you never imagined. You've got this! 🌟
Small progress is still progress and it’s usually more sustainable than massive jumps.
Transformative change is an exciting journey that unfolds gradually! Embrace and celebrate every small win along the way—each little achievement is a stepping stone toward your goals. Remember, every bit of progress counts! The more you recognize your successes, the stronger your momentum will grow, leading you to amazing accomplishments over time. Keep pushing forward!
Change comes from getting outside of your comfort zone.
Staying in our comfort zones feels cozy, but life is all about embracing new challenges! Being okay with discomfort opens doors to amazing growth opportunities. At first, it might seem daunting, but with each step, it becomes easier and more rewarding. Let’s celebrate those moments of courage together, because that's where the magic happens! Keep pushing forward, and enjoy the journey!
Nobody is going to do the work for you… You need to show up for yourself (especially on the hard days).
It’s you vs. you. You’re the only person who has the power to change your life. Embrace that power! Stop waiting around for that magic person or magic moment; your time to shine is now. Take control of your life and make your own decisions.
Your body is an instrument, not an ornament.
It's so important to recognize that you are more than just the aesthetic aspects of your body! We have incredible abilities and strengths beyond our appearance. With the influence of social media, it can be tough to shift our self-perception, but remember: you are a complete being! Take a moment to celebrate all the amazing things your body does every day, from breathing and digesting to every heartbeat. Our bodies are extraordinary machines, working hard for us! Embrace and honor the unique capabilities you possess—they make you truly wonderful!
Consistency is so much more important than perfection.
Nothing is ever going to be perfect and striving for perfection is self-sabotage at its finest. As a perfectionist myself, I know how hard this is to change, but you’re holding yourself back. Being consistent and showing up every day is much more beneficial for your overall well-being and your progress. You don’t need to hold yourself up to such high standards. You’re setting yourself up for failure if all you want is perfection.
Your perception shapes your reality and your outer world reflects your inner world.
In order to see the external change you want, you’ve gotta start doing the inner work. I know it’s scary, but you’re not alone. How we view our situations and experiences is completely up to us, you can either stay stuck in negativity or develop a growth mindset. There are opportunities to grow every day; you just have to shift your perspective.
The way you speak to yourself matters (if you wouldn’t say it to your best friend, then stop saying it to yourself).
I do have a post about this one with some tips that may help you along your self-acceptance journey :).
Our minds are very powerful things. Shifting the way you speak to yourself will change your life, trust me. It’s a journey, but it is so worth it. If you’re constantly tearing yourself down and beating yourself up, you’re going to get nowhere. Show yourself the love you deserve and watch yourself flourish <3.
Balance looks different for everyone. Find what it means to you.
Balance is something we all want, but you’re not going to find it by copying someone else’s version of it. This is similar to “what works for someone else won’t work for you”, it goes back to all of us being so wonderfully individual. It may take some trial and error, thriving, and burnout, but you’ll get there. Someone’s balance may be doing pilates 3x/week and strength training 2x/week, another’s may be running 6x/week and doing yoga 4x/week. Listen to your body and find what works for you!
A lot of the best things in life come from hard and unexpected situations.
Embrace the unpredictability of life! I know firsthand how challenging it can be to want to plan every detail perfectly. Life is an inevitable rollercoaster, full of exciting twists and turns! Instead of resisting unexpected moments, let’s welcome them with curiosity and an open heart. Each experience holds valuable lessons, and spontaneity can bring so much joy! Enjoy the ride and see where it takes you.
It’s all about the journey, not the destination. Live in the now.
I'm definitely still working on this one, lol. We live in a very fast-paced world and it is super easy to always be striving for the next thing, then the next thing, and then, you guessed it, the next thing. Not to be morbid, but we all have the same end destination; if you’re always thinking of your next goal or your next endeavor, you’re never going to enjoy what you have at this moment. Look around you and take it all in, live each day as it is and enjoy where you are. Before you know it, it could be gone.
Don’t be scared of setting goals. They help you feel more purposeful and excited about life.
I used to avoid setting goals out of fear that I wouldn’t achieve them. I would set myself up for failure by subconsciously telling myself that I would never reach the goals I set. It’s best to start small and build trust in yourself. Set small goals that will still challenge you but you know you can achieve.
SMART goals are great! Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-based.
You definitely don’t have to act on every thought you have.
You are not your thoughts; you have the amazing ability to be the observer! This mindset was incredibly helpful for me during my recovery from an eating disorder. With so many thoughts racing through our minds every day, it’s important to remember that not all of them are true. If you find yourself stuck on a recurring thought that doesn’t lift you up, I encourage you to explore it more deeply—maybe even through journaling! Remember, we are so much more than our thoughts!
Our bodies are meant to move. Find what you like doing and stick to it.
Moving our bodies is amazing for not only our physical health but also our mental health. If you ever feel stuck in a certain emotion or feeling, try going for a walk, dancing, or doing any movement; emotions = energy in motion; sometimes, you just need to let it move through you. Exercise releases endorphins!
There are so many forms of movement out there and there is no right or wrong way to move.
Heal in the light.
My dad told me this beautiful wisdom <3. For so long, I hid away and convinced myself that I could heal by myself and that I didn’t need anyone’s help, but once I reached out and welcomed the amazing people around me it made everything feel so much easier. You are not weak or bad for needing support, we are humans who thrive from connection and community. There are so many people who want to support you, but they can’t help you if you isolate yourself and pretend that everything is okay.
You never know who you could help by sharing what you’re going through.
Learn from your failures and move on don’t wallow over them.
Staying stuck in the past is not serving you in the slightest. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone fails; you just need to accept it and move on! It’s all part of life, baby.
You can’t control what other people do or say, but you can control how you respond and react.
Remember, when someone hurtful crosses your path, it often reflects their own struggles rather than a desire to harm you. While their actions are not excusable, you have the wonderful power to choose forgiveness or to move on. You hold the key to your own journey after every encounter.
Along with this, you are responsible for your own closure. You can choose to stay stuck in the past or you can move forward, it’s up to you.
All or nothing is setting you up for failure.
More self-sabotage. It doesn't have to be one or the other, it doesn’t have to be going to the gym 7 days/week or not going at all. It’s allowed to be going to the gym 2 days/week and prioritizing other things in your life 5 days/week. Do what you can when you can and be happy with that! It doesn’t have to be a constant yo-yo.
Embarrassment doesn’t exist (your perception of what people think of you isn’t fact).
Be unapologetically you. Most of the time, people aren’t thinking about you as much as you think they are; they’re more worried about themselves. So don’t let other people’s perception of you and your fear of embarrassment stop you from doing potentially amazing things!
(no one remembers that thing you did in high school)
Thank you for coming along on this journey of reflection with me :). I hope at least one of these lessons can help you along your journey <3
I’ll see ya in the next one!
