WHAT BEING 22 TAUGHT ME

Normally as the year comes to a close, I focus most of my energy on outlining what the next year of my life will bring. I love thinking about how I will implement new practices to improve my life. So I make mood boards and select pictures to represent the next chapter of my life.

Rarely do I focus on what the previous year taught me. So, I decided to pause on looking forward to being twenty-three and think about how being twenty-two changed me.

I was and still am in a transitional phase of life this past year. I am caught in the in-between, which comes with being a 20-something post-graduate. A big part of this year taught me to slow down and experience the awkward transitional periods of life. Initially, I was rushing myself through this shift (is anyone else guilty of this????) Being so focused on getting from point A to point B stressed me so much that I didn't even care where I ended up. I hated being en route to an unknown destination, so I made decisions I didn't think through and wasn't happy with. I struggled a lot with not having pre-defined goals because I like knowing what direction I am heading toward. This year was challenging because it taught me lessons that forced me to be comfortable with being on this bridge. Even though I may not have reached point B yet, I am happier and more comfortable in the in-between.

Twenty-two taught me to embrace uncertainty and not fear the transitional stages of life. This is a challenge because people constantly ask what your plans are moving forward in any area of your life. It became challenging to answer those awkward small talk questions during this transitional phase. As a result, I would totally deflect. It was easier to say I loved doing something I hated rather than be honest.

That being said, Twenty-two taught me not to feel like I have to justify my decisions to others. Nothing makes me more upset with myself than when I am catching up with someone and have to explain my choices or what I am doing with my life.

Lastly, a big thing twenty-two taught me is to do things for myself. One of my biggest struggles is being such a people pleaser that I miss out on things I want to be doing or experiencing things that are important to me. I worry so much that I will make a decision that will upset someone that I can hardly make any decisions. Since I have to take charge of what I want for my life, even if it conflicts with what others want. You can only make a decision for yourself. Suppose you are constantly worried about living up to other people's expectations. In that case, you will never even set standards for who you want yourself to be.

Drop comments/feedback pls💘💘xx