25 Life Lessons From Year 25

Damn, that future look bright. Cheers to another birth year of lovely life lessons. In no particular order, here are 25 lessons I learned when I was 25.

1. The people you seek affirmation from, are also seeking affirmation from you.

Be kind to people. You’ll be surprised to find that the same people you want approval from might actually be seeking approval from you. Mind. Blown. I know. 

2. One day your parents won’t be there, spend time with them.

There’s something to learn from them. There’s love there. There are still things you don’t know. Ask them. Get to know them. Even if it takes everything out of you. 

3. Traveling alone doesn’t mean you’ll always be alone.

Solo trips aren’t isolating. Sure there are times when you will literally be alone, but those moments should be used for clarity. Ask yourself the big questions you’ve been avoiding. Take a trip by yourself at least once in your life. You’ll thank me later.

4. Sometimes your closest friends are the ones you need to let go of.

Let them go. If they’re meant to stay, they’ll come back another time. You get to choose whether or not you want them to stay, so be ready for that. They might not fit where you’re at in life, and that is OKAY. Don’t force it. You’re smart, figure out how they can be a part of your life. They don’t need to be your whole life again.

5. You can find the mentors you’re looking for in the books you read.

If you feel like you can’t seem to find anyone that is motivating you the way you need to be motivated, go read a book. Memoirs or Self-Help books can be the life coach you’ve been looking for in your friends. Don’t put that pressure on them. They probably don’t even know what they’re doing either. Just go read a book.

6. Taking a trip with your siblings is worth it but don’t overdo it.

You don’t have to win Best Sister in the world, you just have to be present. If you went out of your way to plan a trip with them/for them, you already won.

7. Going to a wedding by yourself can be pretty fun and fulfilling.

This will teach you that you don’t need anyone. You’re a party all on your own. Seriously have fun with it.

8. Don’t compare yourself to others.

Stop comparing timelines. Your time will come. Enjoy where you are now.

9. Your identity is yours. It doesn’t need to fit the mold of anyone else’s.

You can define yourself however you want to, not how society is defining you. Don’t put yourself in one box, you are many pieces all at once.

10. Dreaming is not the same as doing.

You can have a dream, but if you don’t actually do anything to achieve it, it will always just be a dream. #StayWoke.

11. Figuring out your purpose and living in your purpose are two different things.

Figuring out your purpose is not the hard part. It’s living in your purpose that is hard. It’s a work in progress, but that’s life: Progress.

12. Speak up.

If you’re itching to say something, SAY SOMETHING. Stop being worried about what people think. You’re old enough to speak with purpose. Don’t get angry, just say what you need to say. Don’t apologize for saying it. There should be zero guilt in your voice when you finally become brave enough to use it.

13. don’t be afraid to write.

You have a voice. You can share it or you can write privately. Whatever you choose, please please please just write it. Don’t worry about what people will say or think. You need to get it out and understand it first before you share it with others. Trust me.

14. Determine your own definition of success first.

Success means different things to different people. Find out your definition first, before you make the mistake of following someone else’s definition of success. I guarantee that when you do that and you get to your finish line, it’s not going to feel how you hoped it would. Define it yourself first, then the sky is (not) the limit.

15. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.

Babe, you’re doing the best you can. Stop trying to accomplish everything at once. Work on one thing at a time. You got this.

16. There is more than one way to do things.

Just because it works for them, doesn’t mean it will work for you. If something isn’t working for you, do it differently or stop doing it if you’re not enjoying it. You don’t have to do it how they did it.

17. Know your limit.

Know when to stop. Know when to say no. Learn your limit and practice it mindfully.

18. You’re the only one that can save yourself.

You’re the only one that can cast the patronus to save yourself in the past, present and future. Stop waiting for someone else to come along.

19. You don’t have to share everything with everyone.

There are some things you can keep for you. You matter too. Personal shit is your shit.

20. Just because you didn’t post it, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

Stop relying on social media to verify that you’re living your life right. Just live your life. Eh-ayye-eyay.

21. Not everyone will walk the walk. Most people just talk the talk.

Be the person that follows through. Match your words with your actions.

22. Just because someone follows you, doesn’t mean you have to follow them back.

We are in a constant information overload. I’m here to remind you that you actually can control your feed. Make it a place where you’re smiling when scrolling, not frowning from #fomo.

23. Read books that make you uncomfortable.

You’ll learn something about yourself and it might even change your mind about how you define something. Better yet, talk about it with people. Challenge yourself to take it a step further. You’ll feel intellectual, meaningful growth again.

24. Stop apologizing.

Stop. Saying. I’m. Sorry. Unless you actually did something wrong and owe someone an apology, don’t apologize for knowing the answer in a meeting or for telling the truth. Don’t apologize for the book you’re reading or the show you’re watching. Own it. Be confident.

25. You don’t always need a plan.

Sometimes not having a plan, is the plan. It’s great to plan ahead for the future and sure it helps to be organized, but you don’t need to plan everything. Try and float in that river girl, let the sunshine breathe life into your beautiful face and trust that the Universe has your back.