Another year has passed and as of today, I am another year older. Yes, I have finally hit the ripe old age of 21, which means that it's time to start thinking about retirement funds, menopause, and getting those damn kids off my lawn.

*cue crying* 

Just kidding, I didn't cry (this year) because it has actually been the best 12 months of my life and I have grown a lot in such a brief period of time. In fact, upon reflection of my life up until this point, I think it is fair to say that I have acquired a great deal of knowledge and wisdom over the last 21 years. And truthfully, it seems only selfish to keep it all to myself when all two of you who read this blog are obviously so eager to hear about it.


21 life lessons in 21 years of life

1. It's 100% okay to say no
If you don't actually want to do something, don't. Same goes for partying. Same goes for hanging with a certain type of group, choosing a specific career pathway in life or being a person you don't want to be. The average life span is 82 years of age. Don't spend it doing shit you don't want to do.

2. But also don't be afraid to say yes
Say yes to new opportunities. Job opportunities that you're not sure whether you're qualified for or amazing life experiences you're not sure will be worth the time. Say yes to trying food you've never eaten, going out when you’ve spent too many Saturdays at home, hanging out with a new group of people and to travel to cities you've never seen. It's okay to say no, but, remember to also say yes.

3. Rock bottom is a good place to start
Sometimes, shit just goes bad. You get fired from your job. You fail. You lose someone you love. You fail again. You feel alone. Whatever rock bottom is or was for you, it only serves as a temporary foundation to build up from. Land. Cry a little. Stand up. Dust yourself off. Then get building.

4. In your world, the world really does revolve around you
It does. If your world doesn't revolve around you, then who the fuck does it revolve around? YOU need to be YOUR number one priority, and you have to do what you need to do to take care of yourself first.

5. You don't have to say I love you to say I love you.
But don't forget to say it when you can.

6. Grab the bull by the horns and enjoy the ride
Write your book. Start your online business. Apply for that job. Leave your old one. Travel. Sing. Run away to join the circus. Release the demo. Learn the trombone. Whatever it is that fills your heart with joy simply from the thought of doing it, that's what you need to be doing. Why waste your time doing something that doesn't make you happy? Your world is your fucking oyster. The possibilities for life are practically endless. Choose an option you love, run towards it headfirst with passion and don't look back.

7. Indecision is a decision within itself
You're going to have to make some tough decisions. Decisions that will make you feel anxious and that make you uncomfortable. Choosing to ignore the issue or question at hand because you "don't want to have to deal with it right now" is a decision in itself. You've chosen to remain irresolute, and thus, you will have to accept the repercussions. Don't gamble it and let chance take control of your life. Be a big kid and take control of it yourself, or else you're going to end up in a place you didn't wanna be in. 

8. You become that with which you surround yourself with
It's true when they say one rotten apple spoils the whole bunch. The same can be said for people. If you surround yourself with a group of people, or perhaps just one individual, that is negative, tears you down, or constantly makes you feel inferior or sad, you will become a product of them. If you notice this happening, take a step back, re-evaluate their importance in your life, and maybe start thinking about surrounding yourself with people that build you the fuck up instead. 

9. Recognise yourself as the great person you are, but always be a work-in-progress
Finding the balance of acknowledging what an accomplished and driven young person I am and also understanding that I have so far to go to be the ultimate version of myself keeps me motivated, happy and busy. I'm never going to attain perfection or be the best; I know I'm not. But that's just fine, because it's not about reaching the top, it’s about the chase to get there. And I absolutely love every second of it

10. Raise the bar a little
If you find yourself begging somebody for as little as respect, a response, clarity, or time together, move on. You may not realise it now, but what you're begging for and driving yourself crazy over is the bare minimum. It's ridiculous and beneath you.

11. Learn to get rejected
Whether it is by crushes, friends, jobs, family, goals, coaches, or random people who think it’s a good idea to give their opinion when it was never asked for, you are going to get rejected. Get good at it. Learn to take the rejection and run with it and move on to the next one, whatever it is.

12. Learn how to apply false lashes
It’s just important to learn. Okay?

13. Being great is never easy
If it were, you’d see a lot of successful people walking around. But you don’t. Instead, you see a lot of people making excuses. If you want to be great, stop making excuses and start making things happen.

14. Make the most of where you’re at
We are constantly looking forward to the future, forgetting that where we are now is a place we were once looking forward to. Have hopes and dreams for the future but make the most of the present and enjoy the moment.

15. Don't compare paths
Competing at the world championships a couple of times has pushed back my degree and my career, and sometimes it really bothers me that I won’t be at the same milestones as everybody else. But I’m not everybody else, and nobody else is living my life! Those things will eventually happen for me. Maybe not right now, but they will one day. I can have and be and do everything, but not all at once, and definitely not at 21. Focus on the path that you’re taking, and don’t worry about what everybody else’s looks like.

16. Listen to the way your “friends” talk about other people
Because chances are they’re talking about you the same way

17. Travel Travel Travel
My best memories are from riding on the back of motorcycles in Vietnam, moshing it in Disneyland at 12am, getting drenched on a boat tour in Niagara Falls, or scuba diving through the Great Barrier Reef. You won’t find these experiences in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Book a ticket, leave, and enjoy what the world has to offer.

18. You’re never too young to start thinking about skincare
Prevention is better than cure.

19. Being alone doesn’t mean you’re lonely
Being lonely has very little to do with how many people you’re surrounded by and more to do with who you’re surrounding yourself with. Find comfort in being alone, and learn to be happy with your own company.

20. If you stress before it happens, you're putting yourself through it twice
There’s no point stressing about something that hasn’t even happened yet. All we can do is focus on what we can control leading up to it and our attitudes once we get there.

21. It’s okay to have fears, but don’t let them hold you back
Anyone who knows me is well aware that I’m scared of a lot of shit. However, a lot of the things I’m scared of often coincide with goals that I have. And whilst I’m not chucking myself out of planes just yet, it doesn’t mean I never will. Allow yourself to feel fear (since it's a normal emotional response) but don’t let it stop you from doing what you want to do for the rest of your life. Enjoy the thrill of stepping out of your comfort zone.


I know what you’re thinking, “Lauren, how on earth do you manage to walk around with such a massive head full of so much goddamn wisdom?” Honestly, I have no idea.

    Loz

3 comments:

  1. So glad to see you back writing! Keep it up, love your work

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    1. I had been planning this post for a while, so as soon as my 21st came up I jumped on the opportunity and began writing! Thank you so much, it makes me so happy that you enjoy my posts :)

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