27. Geez that's old.
To me.
It baffles me to think of where I was seven years ago. And how I've managed to get here now. I wonder what 20-year-old me who think if she knew of the journey she had ahead of her. If she'd take to heart the lessons that I learned in those seven years.
you cannot be happy until you're happy with yourself
My husband taught me this.
Smart man.
Happiness comes from within. A deep confidence that you are who and where you want to be in life. Knowing that you're able to handle what comes your way. Feeling like you have a purpose. Only once you've achieved that can you truly be happy with your life and others in it.
good girlfriends are your lifeline
Choose them thoughtfully and carefully.
Never be afraid to end a toxic friendship.
you don't know until you try
If you had told 20-year-old me that at age 27 I would be playing in five volleyball leagues a week I would have given you the crazy eye. If you had told me that I would be pretty decent at it, I would have just walked away. What a loon, doesn't that girl know I absolutely hate volleyball based on my brief one week gym class experience?
their perfect isn't your perfect
I didn't really learn this lesson until a few years ago. Maybe at the ripe age of 24.
I was just getting into blogging more regularly and found myself overwhelmed with others' lives. The portrayals of their beautiful homes and lifestyle on their blogs. It could be disheartening and made me feel like less.
Learning to accept that my perfect is perfect was an amazing lesson.
We live in Cleveland, where the weather is always less than impressive.
We own a house, that is usually in a state of disarray.
We have dates at fast food restaurants. Where our food is not served on a perfectly styled table.
I sometimes cannot figure out if chicken is cooked correctly. This haunts me.
We make our own adventures. Sometimes our big night out is just a bike ride or a family walk.
Just because you're not living 'the life' doesn't mean you can't live yours.
marriage is not what you expect
It's better.
WAY better.
beauty comes from within
We have the world's SWEETEST, most LOVEABLE dog.
He has one white eye because he has a cataract which cannot be operated on at the moment. It breaks my heart how people look at him. How some people in our lives comment that his eye freaks them out. I don't post a lot of straight on photos of him anymore because people can just be cruel.
But he's beautiful.
We're blind to his variation in eye color. Because we love his unbounding energy, quirkiness and snuggles. For being an amazing friend that we've been blessed with.
A lesson that should ALWAYS be applied to both people and animals.
three things that will make every day a little better
mango orange juice
the smell of summer
uncontrollable giggles
And now for your viewing pleasure. From 20 to 27.
Craving some more life lessons? Find some from my favorites over here today.
20 comments:
such great lessons, Nicole. you're a wise woman.
Fantastic points! My family cat Charlie (who is sadly no longer with us) was blind in one eye and ended up having a glass eye inserted, so I know exactly how you feel. He was the best cat ever though, so loveable and fluffy!
I have LOVED reading these lessons of other people's 20s! I'm approaching 21 and it has been so valuable to me to read what other women who are only a few years older have learned in that time. I especially loved your first lesson, that's something I'm learning more and more each day.
And your lesson about beauty being within? So true. But it just broke my heart that anyone would say ugly things about your precious little pup! He's certainly a cutie!
That really made my day.
I'm only 18 and I can't even begin to image what I'm going to be like in 7 years time; hopefully a better version of myself. *fingers crossed*
xox
Great great lessons. I've learned some of these as well. The loving/happiness with yourself was the best one I ever learned. I'm lucky to learn about marriage from wonderful bloggers like you. You are an amazing woman <3
This is such a great post. The ability to be able to reflect on one's life is a special one, and to be able to see the beautiful and unique things about your own is a wonderful feeling. Thanks for sharing!
disclaimer: I'm a GIANT sucker for animals, but dogs with old-age characteristics are definitely my weak-spot. That said: I am drawn to the cataract dogs. My heart literally jumps out of my chest for a black dog with a white face, which my youngest is just starting to show signs of. I think your boy is gorgeous- and the paragraph you just wrote about him speaks volume about your overall character. Give him a behind-the-ear scratch for me!
Beautiful post, Nicole!
On days like this one I am so grateful to read those positive notes, and I feel re-animated to also fight through more difficult times.. Thank you!
And your dog is such a cutie!
This is so sweet :)
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com/
I loved reading the things you've learned! Such wise words.
and my goodness, how can people be mean to such a cutie?? Your dog is precious!
I love this post, it is the second I have seen today about life in our 20s. It is a life changing decade, hunh?
Honestly, this post stirred up an array of feeling form within. Thank you for sharing :)
I think your dog's gorgeous :-)
I loved reading this :)
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"Never be afraid to end a toxic friendship." - oooh,that's a good one.
Beautiful post! I am almost 27 and have learned most of your lessons, but am still working on a few.
“their perfect isn't your perfect” I think most people would be a lot happier, if only they realized that little phrase.
And I can’t get over your pic at 20 and 27. You both look exactly the same, without a aging a bit—-so unfair. Lol.
OMGoodness, this post is beautiful and amazing.
this was the perfect reminder today. thank you.
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