What I've Learned Turning 24
24th Birthday
I cannot believe I’m actually 24! My birthday was the 16th and I celebrated with a pedicure and a fun friend dinner at the Melting Pot. It was a lot more low key than birthdays gone by but that low vibe energy was honestly what I needed. Since switching jobs and moving to a new city, I have really changed my life in the last few months. With those changes, I’m becoming a new version of myself that is in for an exciting 24th year! That being said, here is what I learned in my 23rd year of life.
Embrace Vulnerability
For the longest time, I always hesitated to share what was actually on my mind. This may have been a trauma response or just a need for privacy but I learned this last fall that there is so much more to life than keeping my thoughts to myself. In my personal life, it has helped me grow closer to friends and new connections in my life because we can bond over both the good and bad parts of our being. Similarly, it has helped my public life because I’ve become more of a real creator. I use my low moments to create community and remind people that social media is a highlight reel with a genuine human behind the work. By expressing my genuine thoughts on the world, I feel like I’m evolving into a better version of me!
It’s Okay to Date Around
This past year has also pushed me in relationships! For so long in COVID and college in general, I just stuck with what I knew and didn’t let myself meet new people and get to know different people. Before, I would just talk to people on dating apps but never meet up with them or go beyond fluffy conversations. I think for awhile there I didn’t believe I deserved greatness and thats really unfortunate. Obviously I don’t have a boyfriend at the time of writing this but I’m opening myself up more to what could be and it’s getting me excited.
Diversify your Friendships
Another huge change for me has been embracing a wide variety of friendships and working to maintain said relationships! Humans of course are social creatures and I hate to be someone who relies solely on one person. I also believe it’s okay to have people of very different backgrounds in your life. Of course I have some friends that are incredibly similar to me, but I have other friends that are vastly different and I learn SO MUCH from them! I also make sure to have deep conversations with them and work on remaining focused when we spend time together. This allows for little transformations that end up having a huge impact!
Question and Challenge Beliefs
Finally my biggest point of growth has been challenging my past beliefs and going along my own path. In particular, I left the church I grew up in and told my family about it. It’s been a bit isolating but I knew in my gut that I couldn’t support a religious organization. I have learned too much and never really agreed with the practices even in high school. While it’s hard to change your perspective and chose to go against family, remember your goal in life is to live true to yourself. Remember that your personal convictions will take you farther than anything else and through personal evolution and reevaluation, you shall get closer to who you truly are!
Here’s to 24!
With these lessons, I cannot wait to tackle 24! It’s been off to a rough start in all honesty but I’m eager to see what I do with the next 12 months. I hope to be in a relationship, visit 3 new states, and let my personal business take off. It’s going to be challenging at times as I continue to grow but I’m grateful for anyone on this journey with me. We have a lot of excitement in store!
Until next time,
Lauren
