23 things i’ve learned in 2023

The year 2023 has been the most turbulent, fullfilling, and heart-breaking year of my life. I think that’s how getting older works though — you become incrementally more conscious of every experience, relationship and of yourself as you navigate these aspects of life.

I’m a senior this year, which means my life is changing and morphing into something myself one year ago wouldn’t be able to discern at all. I’ve gone through a breakup with a long-term boyfriend, navigated relationships forming and falling apart, loved, laughed, cried, and screamed song lyrics out car windows with my friends, and learned with the heartbreaks I’ve endured and the happiness I’ve felt.

With less than two weeks left of 2023, here is everything I have learned this year.

☆ Rejection is Redirection ☆

☆ Whatever is meant for you, will find you ☆

☆ Becoming your own best friend is the key to finding peace ☆

☆ achievments / success don’t equal fullfillment ☆

☆ don’t base your self-worth on external validation ☆

☆ people are projections of how they view themselves — don’t take things personally ☆

☆ people don’t need to be permenant in your life to be significant ☆

☆ it’s okay to not have everything figured out RIGHT NOW ☆

☆ a positive mindset is more important than you think ☆

☆ having perspective on those around you allows you to be more grateful for what you do have — practice gratitude ☆

☆ going to the gym / moving your body is SO important ☆

☆ clean your room every morning. literally makes your day so much better, and you’re mind will be organized after you wake up ☆

☆ not everyone is going to like you and that’s okay ☆

☆ you are going to make mistakes. you are going to hurt people. your response is what defines you — not the action itself ☆

☆ hapiness comes with struggle. there is beauty in this. ☆

☆ discipline > motivation ☆

☆ bad experiences are lessons learned ☆

☆ focus on how you feel around various people — this is very telling ☆

☆ things usually work themselves out in the end ☆

☆ you never know what somebody else is going through and you’ll never regret being kind ☆

☆ using journaling as an outlet to write down your feelings is so helpful ☆

☆ never settle for somebody that makes you feel less than what you’re worth ☆

☆ grades do not define you ☆