At Twenty Three

This year was a very big year of growth for me.

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//Things I Know At 23//

Stick up for yourself. Because very often no one else will.

If the answer is no right now there's a reason. Either there's a yes down the road or it wasn't as great as you thought it was.

It's okay to be a little bit wild.

Eating healthier really is better and worth the little bit of extra time and money.

That I assume far too much and too often. Don't always think you know what's going on, what that person's thinking, or how the story is going to end.

It's easy to make the mistake of thinking that you'll be happier with more.

Waiting for something isn't a passive thing.

Sugar really isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Unless it comes to donuts. Donuts will always be the exception.

There is no one you meet that's by accident.

It was acceptable to listen to Taylor Swift really loudly in the car with the windows down when you were 16, and it's still okay to do that at 23. Taylor Swift defies age and there will always be a Taylor Swift song you can relate to.

Driving stick is still just as hard as it was at 22. It might always be this hard.

Words. Words are very very strong. Be careful how you use them.

There is absolutely no one, no one as good and wonderful and dear and important as family.

It's okay to runaway sometimes.

Just know what you're running from.

Self pity is one of the most crippling and debilitating things you can experience. Only you can get yourself out from under it.

It's okay to keep some things to yourself.

Don't worry so much. You won't even remember what it was that got you so strung out this time next week. Or often, this time tomorrow.

It's so much better to live light instead of heavy.