Tomorrow is my twenty-first birthday. On the brink of a new year of circling the sun, I always tend to get nostalgia for the past and think back on how my journey has led me to this moment. As I was journaling last night, I began writing down some of the things that this last chapter of my life has taught me, and today I decided to share them with you.
1.Be kind, always. People are just people, after all.
2. Dreams really do come true. Five years ago, I was sitting on the counter in my best friend’s kitchen, dreaming with her about riding the London Eye someday. Last December, I stood at the top of the ferris wheel, surrounded by some of the best friends I’ve ever known, and watched the sunset paint the skyline pink and gold.
3. Remember to be gentle with yourself. You are doing the best you can. Your body is always healing you. God loves you deeply and profoundly. Your family and friends need you. Life is tough; give yourself grace for making it so far.
4. At any given moment, you are always exactly where you need to be.
5. Local is better, especially with coffee shops, fresh fruit, and restaurants. Case in point: I used to think Starbucks was classy, but four months of traveling across England has changed my mind. Small town corner cafes are the best.
6. Travel. Travel often. Travel light. Travel anywhere. You’ll see the world anew.
7. If you get the chance to see your favorite artist live, take it without hesitation. Last year, I unexpectedly had the chance to see Taylor Swift at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. I also got to see Andrew Peterson perform live in Birmingham while studying abroad. Both of those concerts were among my best memories of the year.
8. Take time to notice the sky changing.
9. For the love of all that’s good in the world, please tip 20%.
10. Be impulsive in the little things. I’m beginning to think that life is made up of the unexpected moments in normal days. Drive a different route home. Stop for your favorite food. Swing on the swing set and go as high as you can. Perfect the art of saying “yes” to the thrilling impossible things.
11. Never tell yourself you can’t. Tell yourself you choose not to.
12. When you say “no,” you don’t owe anyone any further explanation.
13. Know your worth. You have so much more agency and capacity than you think. Do your thing and don’t doubt your intuition.
14. Figure out what people/topics/activities/things drain you, and which fill you with energy. Edit your life accordingly.
15. Sometimes you just need a new beginning. A haircut. Rearrangement of space. Some flowers. A walk. New goals. A quiet morning with tea, because “in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
16. Take photos of everything you want to remember. (Also, take pictures of your friends all the time; they secretly want photos of themselves, they just don’t want to say so.)
17. Writing brings us the deepest and most profound meaning in life. Words are the closest thing we have to magic.
18. Almost anything can be cured by a long morning hike, a hot bath, or a good night’s sleep. This includes thinking up a thesis for your ten page essay that is due on Friday.
19. Home truly is where the heart is.
20. Looking back on the last year, all of my best memories were made with people. It’s hard to find your “tribe,” but trust me, they’re worth waiting for. In the last year alone, I journeyed from a time of intense loneliness to finally meeting and growing closer to my circle of kindred spirits. You will find your people.
With that, I’ll see you all next Monday with the second post in the “Live Like Heroes” series.
Have a lovely weekend!
<3 Olivia Grace
