Hello all,

I have to admit that I thought in my adulthood I would be able to blog more. I am, after all, the master of my time now. I bow to no college schedule and I have a stable job, therefore I should probably have more time to write for fun… I was quite wrong in this assumption friends. In fact, I write so much in my professional life that I’ve begun using text speak, “R U on ur way 2 coffee?”

Nevertheless, I have completed my 22nd trip around the sun and here are 26 of the things I have learned in my life up until this point.

1.) Break up with friends too. It’s okay. Even if it seems 10X more dramatic and sad than a normal breakup.

2.) Your car is going to break down. Likely at the worst possible time. I’m really, really sorry. Just don’t panic.

3.) Wow, living alone is tough, but you can totally do it.

4.) Be patient and kind until someone is only taking advantage of that patience and kindness.

5.) Give out good and remove bad.

6.) You’ll have to make things okay by yourself sometimes. It’s okay if you’re your own hero. That doesn’t make you lonely, it makes you strong.

7.) Shut up and listen.

8.) Do the thing you’re afraid of.

9.) It’s a take-a-penny, leave-a-penny kind of life.

10.) You are going to be selfish sometimes, you just are. That’s okay as long as you don’t do wrong by another person.

11.) Apologize like an adult: “I’m sorry I (X), and I understand it made you feel (X). If you forgive me, in the future I’m going to do (X) to make sure this doesn’t happen again because I value and respect your feelings.”

12.) Realize how great you really are. Write a list, make a post, take a photo, tell a friend. Whatever you need to do in the moment to remind yourself of that.

13.) Love on an equal amount of people who are like you and who are different than you. You’ll find em. Keep em close – they’ll round out your character.

14.) Listening and being understanding are key. You don’t always get to problem solve the way you want to. Sometimes to be a good friend or partner you will have to settle things their way.

15.) Be love. Be patience. Be respect. Do not be a doormat.

16.) Face it head-on. That scares some people, but not you.

17.) Don’t date anyone who doesn’t like your dog. I did that once and honestly what a psycho.

18.) Sometimes you don’t get closure. That’s fine. You’re good enough knowing you removed yourself from something that hurt you. That’s your closure. Go you.

19.) There’s a huge difference in being afraid and being a coward. Learn that difference.

20.) Start a new season of life and just run. Don’t go back for what you left. Run.

21.) A lion need not announce himself as such. A lioness need not announce herself as such.

22.) It’s so okay to be mad. It’s so not okay to be consumed by anger. Feel things and actively work through them!

23.) Handle terrible things how you want. People deal with things differently. There isn’t a black and white right/wrong way.

24.) You’re gonna make some weird, questionable choices.

25.) You’re going to have to redeem yourself after some weird, questionable choices.

26.) Without fail – as long as you’re not harming others – you’re 10X more bad ass than you are giving yourself credit for.

XOXO,

NBNealie