Cheers to 28!
What I’d tell 18 year old me now… I’ve thought about this a bit since I turned 28, so here are some of the things I would go back to tell my younger self:
- Try to stop overthinking and take time to get to know what you like.
- Eat what you want to, you are not overweight.
- Get back into the hobbies that made you excited as a kid. Crocheting, roller skating, and so much more!
- It’s okay to outgrow friendships.
- High school was not the vibe, but you’ll love college and get into grad school too.
- Social media (aka BookTok) is going to help rediscover your love for reading.
- It’s okay to pursue teaching and not choose a career for the money.
- Don’t cut your hair short, you won’t like it.
- You will always be an artist.
- Success isn’t determined by how much art you sell.
- You can be happy and live differently from others.
- Don’t worry, you’ll move out of Ohio! But you’ll end up moving back for family.
- Most importantly, it’s okay to set boundaries 🤍
It's funny how turning another year older makes you look back and reflect. When I reached 28, one of the biggest lessons I wished I could tell my 18-year-old self was about body image. That simple phrase, 'Eat what you want to, you are not overweight,' sounds so straightforward now, but it was a journey of self-discovery spanning years. For so long, I let numbers dictate how I felt about myself – the scale, the size of my clothes, even comparing my body to others, sometimes influenced by what I saw on social media. The constant pressure to achieve a certain 'ideal' weight or a 'healthy' BMI, as defined by external sources, was exhausting. I remember days when I'd shy away from wearing a cute pink crop top or even striped shorts because I felt 'too big.' Now, looking back, I realize how much joy I missed out on, how many beautiful moments in green foliage or surrounded by pink flowers I didn't fully appreciate because I was too busy criticizing myself. It took a long time to understand that health isn't just a number; it's about how you feel physically and mentally. It's about nourishing your body and mind, not punishing them. Embracing intuitive eating and letting go of restrictive diets was a game-changer. It wasn't about giving up on health, but redefining what health meant for *me*. This journey of self-acceptance, especially concerning my body, truly opened doors to other areas of my life. It was like once I stopped fixating on what I 'should' look like, I had more energy to rediscover what truly made me happy. That's when I picked up my old roller skates again, just like I used to as a kid! And getting back into crocheting? Pure joy. It’s amazing how much mental space chasing a 'perfect' figure consumes, space that could be used for creativity and fun. I distinctly recall one sunny glow moment, thinking about my younger self who might have been trying on a red dress for a school dance, but inwardly worried about every curve. Now, I celebrate those curves. I celebrate the strength and resilience my body has. It’s about finding confidence from within, rather than seeking validation from external sources or a BMI chart. This deeper self-worth also empowered me to set boundaries. Realizing it's okay to outgrow friendships, or to pursue a career like teaching that brings passion rather than just a big paycheck – these decisions feel so much clearer when you're grounded in self-acceptance. It’s about recognizing your worth and protecting your peace, whether it’s saying 'no' to something that drains you or choosing to live differently from others. My journey to 28 has been a continuous lesson in self-love, and understanding that true beauty and happiness are far more dynamic and personal than any single measurement could ever define.
