24 Things I Have Learned in 24 Years
A Birthday Reflection
Today is my 24th birthday, and I thought it would be fun this week to reflect on some of the many lessons I have learned in 24 years of life. Here we go!
24 Lessons
Fear alone is not a reason not to do something. If you can’t think of a reason not to do something besides being afraid, you should probably just do it.
The things you love as a kid are important to hold on to as an adult. I think a lot of us spend our twenties, and honestly our lives, trying to figure out who we are, but when we were seven, it wasn’t so hard. Who were you back then, and who did you dream of being?
Counseling is worth the investment. The time and the money.
You need less than you think you do to be happy. Less things checked off your to-do list, less money in the bank, less articles of clothing, less friends than you think, less trips planned. You can be happy with less.
Everything isn’t as serious as you think it is. Some things are serious, but those things are much fewer and farther between than I think we act like on a daily basis.
Chicken is better if you don’t overcook it. I consider myself a pretty decent baker and cook, but when it comes to cooking meat, I am very much still learning. If you have any secret tips on how to cook chicken where it is done but still juicy and flavorful, send them my way.
Breaking the script, being spontaneous, and changing plans brings joy. Routine brings comfort. You need a mix of both. Immersing yourself in new experiences is key to growing. As adults, we have to push ourselves into and maybe even create new experiences for ourselves. With control and responsibility comes the ability to more easily avoid the things we don’t like or the things that make us uncomfortable. Find a balance of routine and spontaneity.
Making friends is not as hard as you think. People desire relationship. Be the person to reach out, make the plans, and yes, sometimes get rejected. If you are authentic to you, you will find the right people.
It is better to have open hands than hold tightly to things. We don’t have any control. Living like you do just makes you stressed and disappointed.
As believers, we are meant to be set apart. Every day, I learn more about what being set apart looks like, but I know it is what we are called to. Disciples of Jesus shouldn’t look just like everyone else.
Things that don’t feel good in the moment often make you feel better in the long run. Eating healthy foods to fuel your body, running or lifting weights, apologizing when your hurt someone, saving money, studying and learning new things.
Anxiety is not something I have to live with forever. This applies to other things besides just anxiety. Whatever struggle or barrier you feel like you have, it doesn’t have to be something you carry forever. There is healing.
Gratitude changes everything. When I started writing down things I was grateful for every morning, I believe it completely rewired my brain. Gratitude trains your mind to see the good when you start to spiral or complain. And there is so much good!
Taking a sabbath also changes everything. Once you start taking one day of your week to rest, you will wonder how you ever did without it. Just try it, and let me know if you agree.
Chores are morally neutral - neither right nor wrong, good nor bad. If you don’t get the laundry done over the weekend, you are not failing or a bad person. As someone who often feels bad if I don’t accomplish my to-do list, this is a powerful lesson to learn.
Words hold so much power, specifically in prayer. The words we speak hold so much weight - both out loud and in our minds. Speak life.
It is essential to make time for fun. A lot of us are taught as children that we play once the work is done. And as kids, that logic holds up because we only have 10 minutes of homework to do or one quick chore to complete before the “work” is done and we can play. However, if we carry that mindset into adulthood, we will never get to play because the work is never done. So make fun a priority.
You body knows what you need. Our bodies are much more intuitive than we give them credit for in our age of information overload. If you are needing some iron, you might crave red meat. If you feel like skipping the gym and doing a yoga flow instead, you might be needing some rest. Try trusting yourself instead of someone else’s experience or advice and see how you feel.
When you are present, life is slow. I got this idea from a quote in Happy Place by Emily Henry.
She shrugs. “It could still happen. Life’s long.” That makes me snort with laughter. “I don’t think anyone says that.” “Maybe not,” she says, “but if they were truly present, maybe they would.”
A good story, whether it be told through writing, video, audio, or in person, can often teach us more than any non-fiction work can. I used to think I read non-fiction to learn and fiction simply to escape or entertain myself. And while I do think fiction wields those specific powers, it also holds great potential to teach us about people, places, and perspectives we might have otherwise never experienced. I give fiction a lot more credit now.
Silence is essential for our souls. Our world today is so noisy. If we want to preserve our spirituality and our creativity, we have to fight for moments of silence.
You have to think for yourself and form your own opinions. In the world we live in, this is becoming very challenging. It is easy to scroll through what other people said and jump right on any bandwagon. But in the process, we are losing our own uniqueness and our convictions.
Sunshine and a glass of water can heal many things. A headache, a bad mood, a poor night’s sleep. It is my magic cure.
Everyone needs to dance more. I think in a lot of ways dancing reveals your capacity to be silly, to be humble, to be free. We could also use a little more of that, don’t you think?
Thank you so much for reading!
Take care,
Caroline
You are wise beyond your years! I wish I knew all these at age 24!