20 Things I've Learned in 20 Years
Twenty is such a large, scary number to me. Of course, I know in the scheme of life, twenty is only a few steps away from childhood, but to me right now, it is a lot to comprehend. I am a full blown adult and this world is officially mine to figure out without constant guidance. Whoa. In my twenty years, I have learned so so much, and love to share what I've learned. Even if you're older and already know everything on this list, I urge you to go back to your 20 year old self and process time since then.
1. Things Change
It is okay to let the world evolve around you. Just like yourself, the world will never stop changing. Accept the future, learn from the past, and realize that things are going to be okay.
2. Things Work Out
I can't say they always work out on their own, because they don't. You give what you get. With a little bit of patience and effort and understanding, life has a funny way of taking and giving. Wait for your time, it always works out in one way or another.
3. There is More to Life Than Appearances
Someone needs to constantly remind me of this. In 20 years, when I'm writing a follow up to this, nobody will remember what I looked like at this very moment. Nobody will remember how dumb I looked when I snort laughed at my friends' jokes. What I will have? Friends that love me and care for me not because of some portrait of myself I displayed, but for who I actually am.
4. Don't Drink Strawberry Milk
With all the milk alternatives out there anyway, it seems worthless to me. Also I threw up once after drinking strawberry milk, roughly 15 years ago, and I still hold a grudge against it.
5. Giving Up is Worse Than Failing
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Not many people are good at things on the first, second, or even tenth try. Achieving something after months and years of work is such a rewarding feeling. Work towards it, and live in it, but don't give up.
6. Acknowledge Ignorance and Work to Fix It
Nobody knows everything. When you get corrected, accept it, learn from it, and utilize it. Getting defensive doesn't help you one bit. It isn't necessarily your fault for not knowing, but not being willing to learn most definitely is your fault.
7. Be Willing to Open Up
When you find people you trust, it is okay to be an open book. I know this one is hard, but true friends truly want to help and heal. If you trust them, allow them into your life.
8. Allow Yourself to Live in Life's Downs
Life is full of up and downs. Sometimes you're on a mountain, other times you are deep within a hole. Allow yourself to process the downside for a healthy amount of time, but remember it is super important to pull yourself out of it, no matter how.
9. You Might Not Miss High School
High school taught me valuable lessons like friends, studying, and teamwork. That being said, I don't miss it. Not once have I wished for one more football game to cheer on, or one more prom to attend. This isn't the same for everyone, but it is a valid emotion.
10. Don't Get a Pet You Aren't Ready For
Sorry to my hermit crabs. Also sorry to my dad for making you take care of them. I have now learned that animals require effort. Mom and Dad if you see this, I am older now and ready for a cat.
11. Be Kind
Truly. Don't be kind because you want something, or feel like you have to be. Genuinely be a good person with good intentions. There are a lot of mean, mean people in this world and a little bit of light and goodness can go so far. If everyone and everything around you is dark, find it within yourself to be the light.
12. Parks and Rec is Better Than The Office
The Office has funnier moments, but it relies too much on Michael's cringy nature. Parks and Rec is more consistently funny and has more realized characters. It also has Lil' Sebastian and literally, the greatest episodes on television. Find the inside joke in this paragraph.
13. Life is NOT a Race
Work at your own pace. Life is not a race to be won, but a long car trip to experience.
14. Sorry is a Bad Word
This is an official rule in theatre. Never say sorry for trying. In my opinion, people (especially women) say it too much. You don't have to apologize for existing, and all of the mess ups, hardships, and fun that comes with it. Unless you actually hurt someone, of course.
15. Do Things For Yourself
This blog started, and continues as a way for me to express myself. I love sharing my life with my readers, but I also do it for myself. Taking 30 minutes or so out of my day to write is really calming to me.
16. Life Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Good
My life is far from perfect - I have a lot of struggles, I cry a fair amount, I stress a lot, I am scared for my future, etc. . . That being said, I have a good life. I have a fantastic family, wonderful loving friends, an amazing community at school, and the support to hold my head up, even if not all that high. Nothing is perfect, but so much is good.
17. Be Goofy
Like I've said, life isn't that serious. You shouldn't be either.
18. Question the Ethics of Pugs
Hot take. Pugs are cute, but ethically, they are questionable. I have asthma and not being able to breathe sucks. Pugs must feel like that ALL the TIME!
19. Things Get Easier, You Get Better
That whole phrase, nothing gets easier you just get better. That doesn't make sense. Like yea you got better, so it is now easier. Refer to lesson 5 for more info.
20. I have a long way to go
So much to learn and grow. Twenty is a scary number, but I have a long ride in front of me and I am ready to keep going and growing. Thank you to you all for joining me on the past year and a half of this journey, and stay tuned for more.
With love,
Sam
1. Things Change
It is okay to let the world evolve around you. Just like yourself, the world will never stop changing. Accept the future, learn from the past, and realize that things are going to be okay.
2. Things Work Out
3. There is More to Life Than Appearances
Someone needs to constantly remind me of this. In 20 years, when I'm writing a follow up to this, nobody will remember what I looked like at this very moment. Nobody will remember how dumb I looked when I snort laughed at my friends' jokes. What I will have? Friends that love me and care for me not because of some portrait of myself I displayed, but for who I actually am.
4. Don't Drink Strawberry Milk
With all the milk alternatives out there anyway, it seems worthless to me. Also I threw up once after drinking strawberry milk, roughly 15 years ago, and I still hold a grudge against it.
5. Giving Up is Worse Than Failing
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Not many people are good at things on the first, second, or even tenth try. Achieving something after months and years of work is such a rewarding feeling. Work towards it, and live in it, but don't give up.
6. Acknowledge Ignorance and Work to Fix It
Nobody knows everything. When you get corrected, accept it, learn from it, and utilize it. Getting defensive doesn't help you one bit. It isn't necessarily your fault for not knowing, but not being willing to learn most definitely is your fault.
7. Be Willing to Open Up
When you find people you trust, it is okay to be an open book. I know this one is hard, but true friends truly want to help and heal. If you trust them, allow them into your life.
8. Allow Yourself to Live in Life's Downs
Life is full of up and downs. Sometimes you're on a mountain, other times you are deep within a hole. Allow yourself to process the downside for a healthy amount of time, but remember it is super important to pull yourself out of it, no matter how.9. You Might Not Miss High School
High school taught me valuable lessons like friends, studying, and teamwork. That being said, I don't miss it. Not once have I wished for one more football game to cheer on, or one more prom to attend. This isn't the same for everyone, but it is a valid emotion.
10. Don't Get a Pet You Aren't Ready For
Sorry to my hermit crabs. Also sorry to my dad for making you take care of them. I have now learned that animals require effort. Mom and Dad if you see this, I am older now and ready for a cat.
11. Be Kind
Truly. Don't be kind because you want something, or feel like you have to be. Genuinely be a good person with good intentions. There are a lot of mean, mean people in this world and a little bit of light and goodness can go so far. If everyone and everything around you is dark, find it within yourself to be the light.
12. Parks and Rec is Better Than The Office
The Office has funnier moments, but it relies too much on Michael's cringy nature. Parks and Rec is more consistently funny and has more realized characters. It also has Lil' Sebastian and literally, the greatest episodes on television. Find the inside joke in this paragraph.
13. Life is NOT a Race
Work at your own pace. Life is not a race to be won, but a long car trip to experience.
14. Sorry is a Bad Word
This is an official rule in theatre. Never say sorry for trying. In my opinion, people (especially women) say it too much. You don't have to apologize for existing, and all of the mess ups, hardships, and fun that comes with it. Unless you actually hurt someone, of course.
15. Do Things For Yourself
This blog started, and continues as a way for me to express myself. I love sharing my life with my readers, but I also do it for myself. Taking 30 minutes or so out of my day to write is really calming to me.
16. Life Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Good
My life is far from perfect - I have a lot of struggles, I cry a fair amount, I stress a lot, I am scared for my future, etc. . . That being said, I have a good life. I have a fantastic family, wonderful loving friends, an amazing community at school, and the support to hold my head up, even if not all that high. Nothing is perfect, but so much is good.
17. Be Goofy
Like I've said, life isn't that serious. You shouldn't be either.
18. Question the Ethics of Pugs
Hot take. Pugs are cute, but ethically, they are questionable. I have asthma and not being able to breathe sucks. Pugs must feel like that ALL the TIME!19. Things Get Easier, You Get Better
That whole phrase, nothing gets easier you just get better. That doesn't make sense. Like yea you got better, so it is now easier. Refer to lesson 5 for more info.
20. I have a long way to go
So much to learn and grow. Twenty is a scary number, but I have a long ride in front of me and I am ready to keep going and growing. Thank you to you all for joining me on the past year and a half of this journey, and stay tuned for more.
With love,
Sam
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