22 things I've learned at 22
To keep the tradition going, in no particular order, here's 22 things I've learned at 22:
Life is funny, full of surprises and “I never thought this would happen,” moments. But sometimes, those are the best moments.
I never thought something could make the 10-year-old Jordan jump up and down in my 20s. But then the Jonas Brothers came back. Re-living my childhood in college. Epic.
If God has every one of our days written in his book, every day is important. And we should look at every day as such.
There is literally nothing that compares to the camaraderie and understanding you share with a sibling.
You never know who will turn into a best friend. Pro tip: if they come over just to kill a fly for you, let you sleep on their couch before they’re even fully moved into their new apartment, sit in a Publix parking lot and cry with you or go to a park with you so you can swing on the swings like a five year old, you might’ve found your besties. I think I found mine. (Bjori, Ricardo and Sarah: here’s the blog shout out you asked for. You too Millie, even though you didn’t ask for one, you showed up at my door with Chick-Fil-A at 8:45am. So, I think you need a shout out.)
Comparison can strip joy from anything and is usually pointless. Fight it.
Being a good listener can take you a long way. Don’t feel like you always have to say something.
The best Disney Day = when nobody is there, right before a hurricane is coming.
A lot can happen in one summer.
More and more convinced that a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and/or petting a dog can make anything better.
Life isn’t meant to be done alone. Ask for help. Be honest. And then actually let people help you.
Laugh at yourself more.
Still convinced Friday Night Lights is the best TV show, and Eric and Tami Taylor are the GOATs.
Also convinced very few people have finished a full tube of Chapstick. Honestly, that’s one of my top goals for 22.
At the beginning of 21, I told myself to use my very single singleness as a time to get to know Jesus better, focus on that relationship instead of what the world and everyone else was telling me I needed to focus on. To be happy with life currently, even if the future scares me. And I can honestly say, I’ve never felt more secure in my faith and life in Gainesville. Cherish and focus on the relationships and life you already have instead of looking for the next one.
“Home” can be more than one place.
Expectations are okay to have. Just don’t let your focus on what you want to happen, ruin what’s happening. Because it might be even better.
Cancelled flights aren’t the end of the world. And crying in the middle of an airport is okay. And being nice to crabby airport people will get you farther.
Emotions can be confusing. Let yourself feel them fully first, and then try to figure them out. Also be honest with people about how you actually feel, even if it’s really hard.
Read more books, make your bed every morning, write to-do lists, exercise and drink coffee. Lots of coffee.
Saying negative stuff to yourself, about yourself long enough, will make you start to believe it. Whether you realize you do or not.
Work hard, but don’t be so hard on yourself. Things take time. And the fraction of things you actually control, is very small. Do what you can, and rest in that. It’s actually going to be okay.