18 Things I Learned in 2018

I’m late to the party but what’s new there? I’m late for everything, lol. Anyways, I’ve procrastinated this long enough. It’s time to reflect on how I’ve grown in 2018.

One: I love a good morning routine. Getting up and making the bed, then doing my morning skincare routine and brushing my teeth. Next is drinking water with apple cider vinegar & lemon, while making a cup of coffee. Finally, lighting a candle and then sitting at my table with my coffee & writing. The most peaceful way to utilize my mornings.

Two: 2018 was the year I really found one of my passions, which is skincare. Skincare is my shit. Having suffered from what I would consider to be bad acne most of 2018, skincare is more important to me than ever before. You have questions about skincare, I have answers. If I don’t have an immediate answer, I will find one until I do.

Three: I love giving people gifts and seeing their reactions, it brings me so much warmth and happiness! I also love writing hand written cards and sending them to people over the holidays or their birthdays.

Four: If I apply myself, I’m actually kind of smart. I struggled a lot in high school and college, & I thought it was because I was dumb or not a quick learner. But it turns out that I was probably not applying myself as much as I could have.

Five: My animals are my world. I already knew this but after losing two of my ferret boys in 2018, it really put into perspective how much love I have for every animal of mine. Each one of them has stolen a piece of heart. You can read about my two sweet boys here & here.

Six: Writing is really therapeutic. Whether it’s writing a blog post, writing in my planner, or doing my morning pages. Writing helps me clear my mind. It helps me to destress and relax. It takes me out of what I’m feeling to look at it from the outside & see it from a different perspective.

Seven: Music brings me to my happy place. I love music festivals to my core. Being in a crowd surrounded by people who love the same music I love, puts me at another level. Blaring the music in my car, can make my bad day turn into a good a day within one minute. It’s my escape and it’s so fucking freeing listening to music you love.

Eight: I am so damn good at saving money when I need to. I say this because I used to be really reckless with money, to a point where it was irresponsible. Luckily, that stage has come and gone by now.

Nine: There’s not much I crave more than a set of fuzzy pj’s that have matching socks to lounge around in on a lazy Sunday. 2018 = my love affair with fuzziness, specifically fuzzy socks.

Ten: In 2018 I learned that I don’t give up. When I put my mind to something, I fucking do it. Don’t get me wrong, I have moments when all I want to do is give up, but I always push through it. Resilience is key to a successful life.

Eleven: I never want to follow the crowd, I want to be my own person and be confident with who that person is. I want to live my life on my own terms and to live for myself, not for other people.

Twelve: Perspective is everything. You can either let some shit inspire & motivate you, or you can let it make you feel insecure and hateful. I remember watching the VS fashion show this year & feeling so empowered by the women walking on the runway, rather than feeling insecure or not good enough because I don’t look like them (which is something I used to do often)

Thirteen: Form your own opinions, educate yourself on topics you find important or interesting.

Fourteen: No matter how hard times get, never give up on the thing that sparks the fire inside of you. Your passion for something, whatever that may be, is what will you get you out of bed every morning.

Fifteen: Focus on putting your energy into something that matters. Too often I came across nasty comments from people on Instagram putting other people down. And I’d come across stories on Snapchat of people who were talking bad about someone else or just spewing some negative bullshit that no one else cared about because it made them feel better. I see no point in putting my energy into that. It makes you full of hate and ultimately drains you. Put your energy into something that matters, something that lifts you up.

Sixteen: Showing off and bragging does nothing for me. It makes my ego go through the roof, & I believe having an ego stops me from forming and developing into a better person overall. My ego needs to be dropped in order for me to be happy & have growth.

Seventeen: I don’t know why I ever thought I wanted to be done with college. I knew I was totally over taking exams and writing papers, but the real world isn’t any easier. I’ve only been working for a month and a half but I already feel as though it’s draining me. I am grateful to have a job, like so damn grateful. But there is no way I can spend the rest of my working life behind a desk.

Eighteen: Relationships are so important. Hold the ones you love close to you, whether it’s your significant other, your pets, your family, or your friends. Make every relationship a priority because you wouldn’t be where you are without them.

I hope 2019 is the year you grow & thrive the most!

xx, Aubrianna

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