Twenty-Five Thoughts at 25

Chicago, IL; USA

I believe we all reach a state of “I do not know what the f!#*” am I doing with my life”. The answer to that question is simple, at least according to my parents it is. On our occasional life update phone calls they always ask “are you happy”? Most of the time responding in non-concrete terms to a fairly straight forward inquiry. Yeah. Sorta. Not Really. When you really stop to think the complexity of this question lies within its simplicity. Amid my “quarter-life crisis” that seems never-ending and while happiness remains an enigma, I took it upon myself to compile this list of things I do know.

Twenty-Five Things I’ve Learned in 25 Years

25. Sometimes the best memories are born out of crappy circumstances

24. There is no shame in feeling too much

23. You don’t have to be everyone’s friend (not everyone will like you and that’s okay)

22. Go with your gut - 9/10 times it is better that way

21. Give yourself some credit

20. Accept help, you proud stubborn kid!

19. You are not always right and even if you are- be humble

18. Mistakes will happen many, many times and it might take a while to learn from them

17. Patience is TRULY a virtue

16. Self-inflicted harm will NEVER help (physical, verbal, mental)

15. Comparison is natural, but it doesn’t have to be damaging or handicapping

14. Small acts will leave a huge impact

13. There’s a balance between capturing and experiencing

12. Money will come and go… understand that

11. Not having a core group of friends does not make you inferior

10. Some friends are only for a season

9. Love unconditionally the best you can

8. Laugh boldly and deeply from the soul

7. Things really do get better (even if they may not wash out or go away)

6. Setting certain expectations low gives opportunities the chance to be amazing

5. Grudges keep you from having a clear/transparent mind

4. No one has a typical life experience – i.e. high school, drinking, etc.

3. Learn, ask, and wonder constantly

2. Be firm, be respectful and be your own advocate

1. Being alone does not necessarily mean you are lonely