In about 6 weeks I’ll be 29. I’ll be celebrating my 29th birthday by running my third RunDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. I ran the last two alone but am happy to report this time I have a group of high school friends to join me. Celebrating this weekend doing something that challenges me and also doing it with a group of girls I’ve known for years, some even since elementary school, is something I’m really cherishing. We share a lot of the same cringe-worthy memories from high school, have seen each other at our worst and are still here regardless, and are now entering the next phase of our life as real adults almost in our thirties. I’m #blessed to have people like this in my life because I realize not everyone does.
So, in honor of this upcoming birthday and all that it will bring, I’m reminiscing on the last decade and everything I wish I had known then when I was making the same open-mouthed face in every photo, like the one on this post.
- Your life doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s. At 18, you’re so young — it’s hard to know what the right next step is. And, I think our environment can often end up deciding that for us. I never really explored an option other than a 4-year college because that’s what everyone around me was doing and what teachers were prepping me for. I wanted to go to college and I’m glad I did, but at the time, I didn’t think anything else was possible. Just because everyone else is doing something doesn’t mean you have to if it’s not what you really want.
- Learning is important. I took school for granted the majority of my life. I got by doing what I had to do but didn’t try as hard as I could have and as a result, I think I actually missed out on some opportunities later in life. Now, I think learning is crucial towards having a purpose in life. It doesn’t have to be school, but finding a way to keep learning new skills is so important and I cannot stress that enough.
- Your worth isn’t determined by anyone but yourself. You know that cheesy quote “what other people think of you is none of your business”? Well, it’s true. Everyone in your life comes and goes. Friends, significant others, strangers, and even family. There’s no guarantee that anyone in your life other than you will still be there tomorrow, so there’s no point basing your opinion of yourself on them.
- Spend time with your family. When I was younger I dreaded missing out on a weekend with friends because I had to spend time with my family. Now, my parents probably wish I was actually around less. I know it’s a phase everyone goes through and I’m sure karma will come back around when I have my own kids, but your family is what matters. They’re the ones who are there for you no matter what and the sooner you realize that the better off you are.
- Life’s short. This is a given from day one but I think it really sets in when you hit 20 and then blink and you’re almost 29. This is a lesson you don’t learn until you’re in it but I wish I realized just how short a little sooner.
And in case you need more proof I only made this face in 2009:
