25 years.

25. Wow, that number seems so…strange. Unreal. Exciting? Scared? All of the above. I can’t believe i’m now 25. Mid-twenties feels like it was so far away, and just as everything in life, time is just flying by.

Every year, my birthday is always super exciting for me, something i look forward to, plan for, wait for. This year, it somewhat wasn’t the same? Mostly because in a few weeks, i have a big life event happening and all my effort and time has been spent focusing on that. But, birthdays are still important and special to me.

Mid-twenties is just a reminder that 30 is closer than i think (ah!). Sometimes the world seems simply too big for me. Other times it seems miniscule. I feel like I bump into the same people, go to the same places, can’t get myself out of a rut, and then suddenly, faster than I can blink, the world is huge again. The amount of things to do in such a short space of time feel overwhelming. And time is racing.

It’s all a matter of perspective.

Often we are quick to react. We get angry, upset or frustrated so much more easily than we are ever happy about a situation. But, I’ve found that the slower I take things, the more I enjoy life and the better I react to negative situations.

We’re always looking so far into the future for the next big thing that we forget to be present. Being present is something that scares me actually.

I don’t like the thought that I might miss an opportunity by not planning far enough ahead. I’m scared that life will run away with me if I stop for a moment. But I know that it won’t.  And, I know that if I just slow down everything will carry on the same way, and more likely, it will be even better because I’ll be present enough to enjoy myself.

So, on the occasion of my 25th birthday – i thought i’d share with you some of my thoughts and things i’ve learned and want to focus on…

You can only control what you can control…

This is probably the most important life lesson I’ve ever learned. There are so many things in life that I worry about and 90% of those are things that I have no control over. But i still worry about them. Why? Life happens and the only control that you have most of the time is how you react to situations. Slow down and allow change to happen.

There is no ‘timeline’ of life…

We all seem to be caught up in this panic that we must all have a stable career by 23, own a house by 25 and be on our way to 2.4 kids by 30. I want to stand on the rooftops and scream down that all of the above is a lie. Imagine how boring life would be if everyone did everything at the same pace? There is no timeline of these things! Go slow, take your time and everything will happen at the right time.

Look out for yourself…

Finally, slowing down for me has meant looking after myself. It’s making time to relax, getting enough fruit and veggies and sleeping for 8 hours a night. It’s not a myth. You can actually do all the things you want to do and still look after yourself!

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So, my hope for this next year of life for myself is to find happiness and peace in all aspects of my life. To keep my faith in God, focus on the present and reduce my stress.

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Until next time, XOX