25 Lessons Learned by 25
When I turned 21, I wrote a blog post called “21 Lessons Learned by 21”. Who was I to give advice? I didn’t even know how to curl my hair.
Here are some of the lessons I wrote in that post that I find a little questionable after all these years:
“Matcha is so underrated. So is Leon Bridges.”
I’m sorry, but who is Leon Bridges?
“Try new things, and wear new clothes. Overalls don't actually make you look like a prepubescent boy! You look hot!”
No, you do not look hot in overalls. Never stray outside your comfort zone in terms of clothes. Stick to what you know. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!
“Disconnect from technology, and do it often.”
A lovely idea, but I now work full-time in social media marketing, so this doesn't happen.
Here are some lessons that are still good reminders for me, but for entirely new reasons:
“If something is meant for you, it will always have your name written on it.”
“Forgive on your own time.”
“Don't force anything; there is always a better fit.”
I’d like to think that the past few years have shaped me a little bit more, and I’m in a much better position to give unsolicited advice on the internet. So, here we go. Here is my updated list, my 25 lessons learned by 25:
Learn to see rejection as redirection
It’s okay to set new boundaries for old friends
If you only love yourself at 20%, someone else will only be able to love you at 20%
Rest days are important
Give yourself permission to embrace every side of yourself
Invest time and money into your physical and mental health
Holding on too tight to the future is just as dangerous as holding on too tight to the past, so push yourself to find happiness in the ‘now’
Find ways to make the mundane nourishing instead of depleting
Healing is not a linear process
You are the most important person in your life
Practice radical acceptance and redirect your attention to the things you can control
Your surroundings will have a direct impact on how you feel inside
What’s yours will find you exactly when it’s meant to
There is enough success to go around for everyone
Manifestation is real!
You will never feel worse after moving your body (unless you’re sick, then see lesson #4)
Trust in your seasons of preparation
Open a TFSA as soon as you can
Protect and take care of your body, so in other words, wear sunscreen, use heat protectant, and moisturize your neck
Avoid being hangry at all costs
Don’t buy an article of clothing if you don’t love it
Stop touching your face
Leave your hair long and don’t cut it to your shoulders ever again (this one is very specific to my life)
How someone treats you is more important than how you feel about them
25 is going to look different on everyone — that’s literally the point of your 20’s
I need to take a moment to get all up in my feelings, though. This past year was a blur…obviously. A year ago, I celebrated my 24th birthday at my favourite restaurant, surrounded by my best friends at the time, and today we’re in a lockdown, within a lockdown, within a lockdown. The world is a mess, but surprisingly, I’m not a mess. I mean, I’m slightly depressed, you know, being isolated and all, actually following rules that will keep me and my family safe, and sure, maybe I’m spending all my money on loungewear days before we’re finally allowed to go back to work, but that’s besides the point. Aside from natural emotions that are coming out during the most unnatural of times, I’m really quite fine. My family is healthy, I’ve kept a job I love amidst the uncertainty, and physically, I’m healthier than I’ve ever been — and I’m very aware that most people may not be able to say the same. So, as I head into 25 (read: my quarter life crisis), I’m going to remember to practice gratitude often, and make the most out of life’s little victories.
And while I have you here, please stay home when you can and wear your damn masks. I know I said I was fine, but if this lasts another year, I’m going to lose whatever I have left of myself. Remember, if you’ve been having fun this year, you’re the very reason why the rest of us haven’t been.
Wearing the Hooded Define Jacket paired with the Align Pant.
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