It’s official now. I’m 23 years old *gasp* Frankly speaking, I don’t feel any older, smarter or more responsible. I still play the Sims, get really excited in every Disney store and can’t eat without getting messy. Some things will never change, right? I may be 23 years old on paper, but deep down in my brain, I’m still the same 13-year-old I used to be so embarrassed to be.
Now the candles are blown and the cake is eaten (I had a rainbow cake, you guys!) and I’m left wondering if 23 will be different than 22 or 21. What kind of person am I becoming? Where is the next year going to take me? And, of course, have I actually learnt anything in the past year?
Using my birthday as an excuse, I thought I would share with you the 23 things I’ve learnt in 23 years of my life.
- It’s okay to change your career even before you had a career anyway (but after you got a degree you don’t necessarily want now).
- Putting off going to university until you’re ready and know what you want to do is also perfectly fine. Don’t let others pressure you.
- Your family will still love you and be there for you even if you live in a different country and see them mostly on Skype.
- It’s not about the quantity of friends, but about the quality of them. No one cares if you belong to popular groups when you reach a certain age.
- You don’t need to see your friends all the time to make sure they still like you. Time apart means nothing when people mean so much. I have friends I haven’t seen for years but when we meet it’s like no time has passed at all.
- It’s normal to not have your life together in your twenties. Don’t stress and feel pressured to achieve everything and reach the peak in your career. There’s still loads of time for that.
- Teenage drama will pass. You’ll forget about that crush the moment you get a new crush at uni or work. And your school grades won’t really matter. I still haven’t used most of my Maths knowledge to this day.
- Spend less time on social media and more time outside. The number of followers won’t matter when you’re 50 years old. It’ll be all the experiences and memories you’ve made.
- There will always be someone who will be hurt/disappointed by your decisions so you might as well choose what makes you happy. Please yourself before others. Take care of yourself.
- Relationships are not a walk in the park. There are arguments, misunderstandings and character differences. But if you always choose to fight for it, it’ll be worth it.
- You’re able to do anything you think you’re able to do. If you think you can’t do something, you will not achieve it. Mindset is everything. Believe in yourself and no one will be able to stop you.
- If you like it, wear it. The society will tell you how you should dress and what you shouldn’t wear. To that I say I DON’T CARE. Your mum, grandma, even some friends – they will have a different fashion sense to you. If you like it, rock it like you’re on the runaway.
- Loving yourself is the most amazing thing you can do for yourself. You are incredible and one of a kind. Every day you should be proud of who you are and who you are becoming. Love your soul and cherish your body.
- Never stop fighting. Life is a road filled with moments when you’ll be tested. You’ll have to kick, punch and scratch your way through it, but never give up. Focus on the goal you want to achieve.
- Sunscreen has to be applied thoroughly when you’re outside. Even if you’re not out for long and sit in the shade. Even if it’s overcast. Your skin may be okay when you’re a teenager, but trust me, that changes as you get older. You don’t want any skin problems.
- Just because you’re different, it doesn’t mean you’re any worse than others. Different means you’re you. And that’s something to be proud of.
- Write it down. You think you’ll remember it, but most of the time you won’t. Especially if it’s lecture notes. For the peace of mind, write it down.
- Practice makes perfect. No one was born great at everything. If you keep trying and learning, you will get better at it.
- Life is too short to worry about the little things from your past. Letting go is important. The truth is nobody else remembers the things you’re worrying about anyway.
- You don’t have to be right all the time. It’s okay to admit that you’re wrong or made a mistake. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Comfort zone is very cosy and nice, but it also gets very boring. Your grandchildren will not be interested in your stories of what duvet covers you used to have. Go out of your comfort zone every now and then. Make some memories worth talking about.
- Your mental health needs looking after as well. Depression and anxiety are not something to be ashamed of. Seek help when needed. Don’t be afraid. You’re not alone.
- Success requires hard work. If you want to make your dreams come true, you need to put all your energy into it. It’ll be worth it in the end.
Here’s to another year of learning, discovering and achieving!
Don’t forget to like and share this post with your friends, follow my blog and spread the love.
Until next time xx
What would you add to my list?
Read more: Coming off the pill – the good, the bad and the ugly or Wanderlust took me to… Corfu
Tags : 23 things I've learnt in 23 years, life lessons, millenial lessons
These are such great tips for everyone! I couldn’t agree more with #9 and #12 – you do you :)x
Anu | Based On blog | Bloglovin
Yaay, I love this post!! 😍
This is amazing! I turned 20 this year and some of these are things I’m still working on. #5 is so true though! My best friend lives on the other side of the country but she’s still my best friend
Same! My friend recently moved to a different city and my other two best friends are in a different country but it doesn’t change anything!
I completely relate to this post! I’m 23 in December and have changed my mind 100 times but my friends and family always support me! And it honestly doesn’t matter how many friends you have the quality is the most important but! Loved this post! And happy birthday!! 🙂
Thank you! A smaller group of friends is very often a lot better than a big one. That’s so good you’ve got so much support from your friends and family, that’s always a big plus!
I totally agree with everything here! Especially looking after your mental health it’s so so important. I also agree with not being pressured into university it’s completely okay to do it when you want to and in your own time frame x
Kayleigh Zara 🌿www.kayleighzaraa.com
Thank you! It’s definitely true, which is why I am waiting with my masters to see what I actually want to do.
Awh I love this post. There’s so much self love here without being condescending and I just feel all motivated after reading it. Amen to going outside more and not worrying so much about social media followers – I wish more people knew that in the blogosphere.
Janelle xx
https://thenellybean.com
I love this post so much, it’s so relatable- good job! 😀
Thank you!
Aw I absolutely love this post, it’s so relatable too! Some great points 😊
Thank you!
Happy belated Birthday lovely! I hope you had an absoutely amazing day! I always love reading these posts cause I’m very nosy on what people have learnt in their life. We are definitely all different but I can relate to a couple of these! Especially the one no one is perfect.
Gemma | http://www.anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com
That’s the beauty of life, isn’t it? Our lives teach us different things but we can share them and learn from each other!
Positivity just leaked out of my screen! I wish my 23 years were that good… 😉 Especially number 6, 11, 14 and 19 are things I’m going to pin to my wall of ‘notes to self’. Now you’ve made me want to go outside and start exploring the world!
Love,
Dominique
http://www.fashionedbypluche.blogspot.com
I’m so happy! Your comment made my day <3 Thank you!
I love these birthday and learning type posts. I feel that even though your telling us what you’ve learnt that it’s almost teaching me in some lessons too. Especially if you like it wear it, I get so self concious and worried about what other people think so thank you!
I’m still in the process of learning that one but I got a lot more confident since I moved out! I’m still not on the confidence level of wearing crop tops but I’m working on it!
5, 21 and 23 are my fave! Mine would be to not second guess your self or talk yourself out of things and just do it! xx
These are good too! Better an ‘ooops’ than a ‘what if’ right?
Amazing! All the things you have learnt. One that really stood out for me was the fact that we don’t have to be right all the time! I feel like this is a key lesson everyone needs to learn xx
I am definitely trying! It’s so difficult sometimes to admit you’re wrong
Absolutely love this post. I relate to so many of these being in my twenties… Its a tough deal. Such good advice thank you for sharing
lovely ❤️ xx
Yay so happy you enjoyed it xx
So true about writing everything down and comfort zone being boring!!!
Happy birthday girl!!! xxx
Thank you!
Such a great list!
4 and 5 are so true
8 is something I recently have been trying to do more and more.
13 is something everyone needs a little more of!
I’m glad you like it!
I needed to read this, I think everyone needs reminding to love theirself and be theirself no matter what life throws at them and no matter who tells them to be different! Being in your 20’s is bloody tough, everyone’s still got so much to figure out. Totally agree with number 23 too, work your ass off and you can’t go far wrong!
Alice Xx
Being in your 20s is super difficult! Everyone looks like they’ve got it all figured out and very often I feel like I’m the only one who’s been left on the side, but it’s not true! We’re all fighting the same battle.
I love these points, might be worth me bookmarking to remind myself! Especially the career one, I need to remember I don’t have to have it all figured out right this second. I hope you had a lovely birthday! I can definitely learn from the sunscreen point, I was in Cornwall this summer and ended up with third degree burns on my back because it was overcast so I didn’t even realise I needed sunscreen – made a huge mistake there! x
Alice http://www.accordingtoalicex.com
I used to get burnt every single year in the summer because I was so silly. I just didn’t make much of it and as soon as it was healed I’d be back in the sun again. I was really good this year with sunscreen though! Yay me! I’m glad you enjoyed this post 🙂
I can relate so much to the first two at the minute, and the idea of not having your life together in your twenties! I definitely need to listen more to the ‘get off social media and spend more time outside’ point though – I’m terrible for it, especially being unemployed! 🙈
I know something about that! I’ve been stuck inside applying for new jobs and very often can’t even be bothered to go out. But it’s such a nice way to refresh your mind and get some new energy!
I loved reading this post!, Personally I haven’t been to university yet and I’m in no rush… I’m still just figuring stuff out which I’ve realised is okay!.
Charlie | http://www.charlieswonderland.co.uk
Personally I wish I had waited with it too! Which is why I’m not rushing to do my Masters. I want to take the time and see what I actually like doing.
This is such a great post I thoroughly enjoyed it. What amazing points you raised.