Things I have learnt in 19 years

by - December 31, 2019

red graphic with dot patterns

I recently turned 19 (in December) and I just wanted to document a little on how it feels or at least part of the journey on growing older. This is a little reflection on what I have learnt over the years and this will of course inevitably grow as I get older.

1) You don't need to worry so much about the future. I still do sometimes worry, I can’t claim I don't ever, but I don’t nearly as much as I used to. I have learnt that in due time and in the moment, you will be better placed to make a decision - you will have more experience and other opportunities that you didn’t have before.

2) You are always learning about your surroundings and yourself. Even people you feel you have known for a very long time - there will be certain sides to them you did not know before. When it comes to yourself, it is also a journey and you are always discovering new aspects about yourself as you experience new things.

3) Experiences and memories are really the most beautiful parts of life. We live in a materialistic society where we are taught that more material goods will make you happy. That especially seems to be a running theme at Christmas where there is always the talk about what presents you have asked for etc. But when I think of my happiest moments, it is not an item I was given as a present, it is always something I’ve lived and experienced, usually with loved ones.

4) Taking small steps is the way to go. Trying to magically transform something does not usually work and breaking it down makes it manageable and helps you get where you want to be.

5) Having it all together all the time is a myth- most people just try and act like they do. Even the person you admire most sometimes gets it wrong.

6) There is beauty in being vulnerable - that is where you can connect with people in a different way. We all struggle and have difficult moments - there is real strength in sharing and being honest about the moments which are not so great.

7) You can be who you want to be - not everyone knows every single part of you. That doesn’t mean it isn't a part of who you are. Not everyone will expect you to go down a certain path - that doesn't mean you can't take that route. You don’t have to conform to certain labels.

8) Everything happens for a reason - maybe you don’t know why now, but it will make sense in the future. I don’t believe in fate - I think you do have control of some of the things that happen to you, but I feel there is something else out there that means that sometimes when it doesn't go to plan, it is because it was not meant to happen.

9) Life sometimes is a lot simpler than we make it out to be- it’s really easy to get caught up in trivial matters and forget that it doesn’t have to be so complicated.

10) You are honestly so much stronger than you give yourself credit for and can achieve so much more than you think you can.

11) People’s opinion of you and what people say of you reflects so much more about them as people than you as a person.

12) It really is the little things in life that make such a big difference - checking up on someone, smiling at someone.

13) A lot in life is just stepping stones and everything is temporary. Yes, it feels like it is so important now, but in the grand scheme, it won't be. Certain events in your life are not as deciding as certain people will lead you to believe.

14) At the end of the day, how you feel about something and your wellbeing is very important. It is not selfish to look after yourself and also do things for you.

15) Happiness is an ideal and you will not always feel that way and that is normal. It is OK to cry - crying is too often seen as a weakness when actually it makes you human. Crying is a form of releasing feelings when your body doesn’t know how else to express them- embrace it and let yourself feel more free and relieved after it.

16) You can’t control other people’s actions and reactions so focus on your own.

17) Show others you care and cherish each moment - you might never get that moment again.

18) At the end of the day we only regret the chances we didn’t take- even if it goes wrong, at least you will learn something from it. It is so much better to try and fail than sit and think what if…

19) There is beauty in being you. When I was younger I used to want to be like other people so much- looks-wise and personality-wise. But finding yourself, what makes you unique- that is so much more special than being a copy of someone else who you’ll never quite be because it isn’t who you are.

Help keep me going 🙂
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38 Comments

  1. I love that you mentioned how important experiences and memories are and that only intensifies as you get older. I remember being 19 like it was yesterday (but just a decade or two ago HAHAHAHA). Cherish each year that passes and the friends and memories you make.

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    1. That is my goal - to really make the most of my experiences. Hope you have a lovely day! 💜

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  2. Happy belated birthday! These are some great lessons. I wish I had known some of these at 19.

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    1. Thank you! Still have lots more to learn!

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  3. You are very wise for your age. You must have great parents who taught you some great lessons

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  4. Still so young! Still so much life for you to live. I'm impressed by your ability to have so much insight at 19. Keep living!

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  5. Being 19 was very hard for me. I was so uncomfortable in my own skin. You seem to be way beyond that! Good for you!

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    1. I definitely went through the phase of feeling uncomfortable in my own skin and I am still always learning. Thanks for taking the time to comment! 💙

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  6. Wow! Very wise. Love the post, your parents must have taught you some great things!

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    1. Thank you - I am very lucky to have incredible parents. 🙂

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  7. So much lessons in 19 years. Some of the younger people I know never really care about anything and just are happy-go-lucky. It's happy to know that you are wiser compared to people your age. :) Keep it up and always yearn for wisdom...

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    1. Thank you! I always try to see the lessons in my experiences 💕

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  8. You are just at the beginning of your life. You should always remember to learn from each experience and always dream at something bigger and bigger.

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  9. You're still a baby! You have so many years ahead of you so take what you've learned and run with it!

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  10. Thanks for sharing all those lessons! I have learn that small steps is the way to go too. And the little things and attentions do make such a massive difference! Happy belated birthday!

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  11. Oh man, to be 19 again. I promise you that you have so many lessons ahead of you. Take it in each day. It goes by really fast.

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    1. Of course I will have many more lessons to learn 😁 Yes time really does fly

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  12. Happy Belated Birthday! It's a great think you can look back and understand how much you are becoming

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  13. Loved reading our post! You are very wise for your age. I didn't know half of these things when I was 19. Being happy should be the ultimate goal in life. Belated Happy Birthday!

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    1. Thank you - yes mental health is so important and is life long

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  14. Looks like you've learned some valuable lessons early. Good for you!

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  15. You have such wisdom!! I love your tips and life lessons. Very relatable!!!!!

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    1. Thanks - I am happy you were able to relate to some. Crazy how despite the fact that everyone leads different lives there are common things we all relate to ☺️

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  16. In very little age you have learnt a lot, No any book, teacher and school can teach such a lesson which teaches us life. Your positiveness is your success, keep it up. (World in Eyes)

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    1. Thank you - I try and see the positive out of situations

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  17. When are was 19, all I was thinking about my studies and what to do next. I don't think I retrospected all this much.

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    1. I like to reflect and think about what I have learnt over the years 😃

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  18. I like when you mentioned about control. Yes, we have control of all our actions (it isn't an excuse being a human when we commit wrong), but we can't control the people around us. Focus on yourself to grow and to succeed.

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    1. Yes, I find it can be something that is easy to forget in certain situations when things are not going to plan 💕

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  19. Happy Birthday! Congratulations, because at your age it seems you have learned a lot of lessons. Enjoy life!

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