There’s about a month left of this current decade. How are you going to spend it?
I don’t mean how are you going to spend it as in you need to book a flight to Europe, but more so as in are you going to look back and think of everything that you didn’t get to do or everything that went wrong? Or are you going to spend this last month looking back on everything you’ve accomplished and experienced?
A lot happens in one year, let alone ten years. You lose loved ones, gain new loved ones; you face difficult obstacles that you feel like you can’t overcome but somehow manage to come out stronger; maybe you moved away from your home to experience life on your own; perhaps you traveled endless amounts; you decided college wasn’t for you or you graduated college; friendships came to an end or new friendships formed; you quit more jobs than you’d like to admit or found the right job for you in this point in time.
I think this is the perfect time for reflection. I want you to really think about the questions listed below to the fullest. Who knows, it might put things into perspective for you. And hopefully set yourself up to start the next decade with a clear mind, ready to take whatever life throws at you.
+ When you think of this decade, how would you describe it? + The biggest lesson you learned? + What dreams did you accomplish? + What is something you’re going try to let go of that you felt held you back? + Name three things that you’re most proud of? + What are your dreams and goals for the next decade?
+ When I think of this decade, I’d describe it as a decade of growth. Half of this decade I spent being in high school so it seems guaranteed that people grow once they leave high school. Not only growing in the sense of education but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Once I left my hometown and experienced life on my own, there was so much I learned about myself, and in turn, I grew and developed into my own individual.
+ The biggest lesson I learned was to stop living for other people – stop living life based on how people will perceive you. Living your life on your own terms is one of the most liberating things you can do for yourself. Another big lesson I learned is that is all comes back around.
+ One of my dreams I accomplished was graduating college! Another one of my dreams was moving out of state. Though, I do believe I partially moved out of state because “it was the cool thing to do.” Again, going back to that second question- I wanted to look “cool” because I wanted people to care that I moved out of state (living life based on how people perceive you).
+ Something I am going to let go of is self-criticism and my lack of self-confidence because those two things only bring me down. I also struggle with focusing on everything I don’t have rather than everything I do have. I’ll never have enough if I can’t be appreciative for what I currently have.
+ Three things I’m most proud of: Number 1 being that I made the decision to become a vegetarian, because I didn’t do it for myself. I did it for the animals and the Earth. Number 2 being that I started my blog. My blog has brought this new meaning to my life because it’s taught me so much. There are books I would have never read if I hadn’t started my blog. I wouldn’t have found my love for skincare & wellness. & I wouldn’t have known what it means to create things that add value to people’s lives, which then gives me meaning. My blog has also taught me things about myself that I need to work on, like my procrastination, where my priorities lie, and accountability. Lastly, number 3 is how much I’ve grown to cherish my wellbeing- I’m taking care of my mind, body, & soul. I’m caring for myself better than I ever have before, which has overall made a more peaceful and happy person.
+ A major goal of mine is turning my blog into my career- living life on my own terms. I want to continue to have my own voice, stand up for what I believe in, question things in order to continue to learn, & being open to different perspectives. I’d also probably die of relief if I could pay off my student loans by the time I’m 30!! & I want to continue to make memories, whether big or small, with my family and friends that I can cherish forever.
Let me know below how you’re going to spend the last month of this decade!
If you liked this post, check out this one when I reflected on being 23.
xx, Aubrianna
This is awesome.
Thank you so much, mom!
1. I would describe this decade for me as a decade of maturity & life lessons without anyone to tell you it’s no big deal. 2010 – Graduated, 2011-2015 went through transition of going from a high schooler to a grown adult by the time I graduated. Post-2015, tossed into the real world to get a “real job” & we moved across the country where we had to learn to really be each other’s support system, without hindering eachother’s independence & making you dependent on me & vice versa. Takes a lot of maturity & ability to see beyond ourselves in order to not nosedive that concept & accidentally destroy each other’s growth in that process.
2. Biggest life lesson I learned: money doesn’t grow on trees/life can be a roller coaster & that’s okay IF you can learn to make the best out of the ride & see beyond the downward loops and not forget the peak’s when they’re behind you. We learned to save money with some of the best of them while still enjoying life year-to-year. Additionally as important, money isn’t everything. While I can’t that having it can relieve some stressful aspects of being an adult & that not having it can add additional stress, being able to recognize the non-monetary aspects of life (like knowing I’d be coming home to ju every day) makes the not having money aspect less important when it’s relevant.
3. What dreams did I accomplish? I FINALLY GOT INTO THE JOB ROLE/PATH I’VE BEEN HOPING & WORKING TOWARDS SINCE 2015 AT THE END OF 2019. LETS FUGGGINNNN GOOOOOOO!!!! 😀
4. something I’ll let go of that I’ve held back? not letting gaming have such a hold on my freetime is my side-objective over the next year. that’d prolly be beneficial.
5. 3 things I’m most proud of: (1)the absolute hustler you’ve grown to be. (2) the career & life progress i’ve been able to accomplish over the past couple years (it hits me right in the feels whenever i’m capable of looking back at it) (3) the fact we’ve been able to make it independently halfway across the country. It’s actually pretty impressive when you step back & think about it.
6. Dreams & goals for next decade: keep trucking along the career path I’ve got visualized in my head while continuing to be the support system that helps both you & schmade grow into the people I know you’re both capable of being.
Much love,
Z
Really insightful post! I’m definitely incorporating these questions into my journal even though it’s a month later. Thanks Aubs!!! 🙂