10 things I wish I knew at 19
Today is my 29th Birthday
I’ve just turned 29.
It’s wild to look back and wonder where all the time went; yet, a lot of life events have happened. (This is my first Substack post. I’ve made a commitment to myself to start sharing).
10 years ago, I just graduated high school and would be entering my freshman year of college.
What would I tell my 19 year old self?
1. Be your true self
It’s easy to do things in order to fit in. But staying true to yourself is the only one you want to impress. Not others. This also means tell yourself the truth. If you are truthful to yourself you will be truthful to others. It is a difficult road, but you will grow from that.
2. Don’t take it so seriously
Yes, work hard. But don’t sweat it. I look back at all the energy I put into worrying about tests when I don’t even put my GPA on my resume. Was all that worrying worth the energy?
3. Be Grateful
Perspective is everything. “I have to go study and I don’t want to.” vs “I get to go study! I am so fortunate to be at a wonderful university and have this opportunity”
Sure, there will be times where it is hard to be grateful, but I now recognize the importance of gratitude. So I try and take everything with a grain of gratitude.
4. Connect with others
You never know who you will end up becoming friends with, or roommates with, or study partners with, or maybe even become your coworker.
Don’t make connections just for the sole intent to benefit from it, make real connections with others, and the reward with reveal itself later in ways you wouldn’t have guessed.
5. Start Journaling
Inward self reflection is my own therapy. I feel myself improving with each line I write. Introspection is key.
6. Drop a bad habit
The sooner the better
7. Make a healthy habit
Go for a run. Work out daily. Improve yourself.
8. Make time for fun
It’s easy to be busy. Busyness is an avoidance technique. Get the priorities cleared first, but make time for the fun stuff.
9. Do a hobby every day
Pick a hobby you want to cultivate, and make time for it each day. You have no limits on where you could be in 10 years.
10. Be kind
Kind is the new cool. We are all people. We all have our own stories. Above all, be kind. It won’t hurt you.