“I love the person I've become, because I fought to become her”

To this day, I can distinctly remember the ‘best year of my life’ conversation my colleagues and I had at my old job in Chicago. Being 23 and fresh out of college, I could not fathom any point in life possibly topping the four years I had just experienced. I remember politely smiling and replying, “really? Twenty five?” when one of the girls, then in her 30s, said that was hands-down her best year to date.

Replaying that conversation in my mind now is a little upsetting. I was 23 and had my whole life in front of me, yet I dismissed the thought that the most enjoyable years may actually be ahead of me, not behind. I thought I had said goodbye to the best years of my life… waving farewell to them from the shore as they sailed away from the ‘real world’ I was now a part of, whether I liked it or not.

That assumption led me to be complacent with what was presented to me instead of questioning if it was what I really wanted. Although this may sound selfish, I was by no means ungrateful for my situation… I was blessed with a lot of things many people take for granted and was thankful for them every single day. I had a job, a wonderful support system of family and friends, a loving boyfriend and high hopes for the life I had planned for myself.

I was living a happy life – it just wasn’t the right happy for me.

Thinking that I had already made all of the friendships I needed, experienced all of the love I wanted and lived in all of the cities I hoped to was a false assumption. One that I didn’t realize was wrong until I started questioning it. Until I started to fight for all of the “more” that I wanted in my life.

Celebrating living on my own
for the first time ever

More friendships.

More love. 

More cities. 

More experiences.

More spontaneity.

Looking ahead of my life now I see a blank canvas ready to be painted. It is laid out wide in front of me to fill as I wish – each inch waiting to be covered with bright colors and beautiful images inspired by experiences that have yet to come.

I’ve stumbled countless times and have certainly taken my fair share of spills, but I always get back up. I know that even though the road might be rocky, I am finally on the right path. And I’m going to keep going down this path to whatever is waiting for me at the end, welcoming any encounters I make along the way with open arms.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”
― Dr. Seuss

The number of “20 things to embrace in your 20s” articles that came across my newsfeed in the past month was a little ridiculous. Obviously, the first time I saw one I thought “Thank God, someone finally made a manual to navigate my life!” but then I read one seven and realized that the individuals writing these articles:

1. Could not have possibly passed English 1

2. Have some serious problems and are trying to justify their actions by blogging about them

For example: This post suggests that you should go one week without showering. Why? Because you can find comfort in the fact that “without showers, everyone is the same.” Number 4 in the same article suggests to “Have at least one night where you cry ridiculously and listen to Adele while drinking wine and chain smoking.”

It is articles like this that make me wish the First Amendment did not apply to certain individuals. 

So, for those of you looking for a good Friday read, and have had enough of the aforementioned GIF-filled posts, I am happy to steer you to some awesome blogs that I frequent. (Aside from mine, of course… which you should continue to read.)

Happy reading!

AG

Ring Finger Tan Line: This blog is absolutely amazing. After following a link posted by a friend on Facebook over a year ago, I am still a loyal reader. Laura is a hilarious writer who shares her post-divorce journey with her readers through stories of baking, writing and drinking. RFTL is currently sitting on my favorites toolbar and I check it on a daily basis for new articles to dive into. You probably should too.

Witty + Pretty: As a woman who loves to write, I think it’s awesome how uncensored and sarcastic Ashley, the author of Witty + Pretty, is. Although I have not reached the comfort level of discussing some of the topics she addresses (and am not sure I ever will), reading her blog will no doubt put you in a good mood and give you a large dose of women empowerment.

Betches Love This: Consider this a fair warning that this site is not for the faint of heart or anyone lacking a sense of humor. Although this website is crude, uncensored and wildly controversial, I cant. get. enough. of it. One of my favorite things about this blog is the Head Pro and his articles. He is raunchy, foul-mouthed, unnecessarily presumptuous, but unwaveringly honest. This site is a refreshing break from the censored articles posted by PC writers on topics 20-somethings are interested in reading about.

One thing I do support is dressing up for Halloween.
Multiple times in multiple costumes.
No matter how old you are.