Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Lifestyle

36 Life Lessons 2019 Taught Me About Being My Best Self

It was a memorable year, but I'm ready to move on from it.

Abby Johnson

Dec 28, 2019

Longwood

257

36 Life Lessons 2019 Taught Me About Being My Best Self

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Buying bigger clothes to fit my changing body is hard at first, but so, so freeing at the end.

I had to do this this year, and wearing clothes that properly fit is so much more comfortable then wearing clothes that don't fit quite as well.

You don't have to stay uncomfortable, do everything you can to make yourself comfortable (relationships, pillows, underwear.... anything!)

Kind of along with the first lesson, buying new underwear is the best thing!

Unfollow people on social media who make you feel bad about yourself.

Or people who clutter your feed.

Talk about your feelings with your friends. You weren't made to go through things alone.

Be vulnerable and be honest.

Trust that everyone is inherently good, until they prove you wrong.

Not everyone is out to get you; some people are just plain nice.

Stick up for yourself; you are your biggest advocate!

Don't do things you don't want to, even if others are persuading you to join in on the "fun."

There is a right and a wrong way to apologize. Learn the difference.

My English class taught me this lesson this year through the book, "On Apology." What a great read!

It's okay to date multiple people because it helps you figure out what you like and what you don't like.

Because how else are you going to figure it out?

Always use protection... no ifs, ands or buts.

!!!!!!!!!

Trust your gut because it's almost always right.

Don't ignore it.

Don't let your head get ahead of your heart.

You'll get yourself into trouble here.

Jesus saves us from more than we recognize.

You just need to reflect to learn what he has saved your from.

Heartbreak does not last forever. You will be okay again.

You will be okay. Not now. But soon.

Say yes to spontaneous adventures with friends!

You never know how much fun you'll have.

Find your people, and love them fiercely.

Don't take anyone for granted.

You don't have to like someone, but you do have to love them.

I learned this from our pastor's wife, and it is one of the greatest lessons I learned this year.

Accomplish at least one thing everyday- even if it's as simple as making your bed.

Just the littlest thing can turn your bad day into a good day.

Don't take money for granted, but don't be overly stingy.

Also, don't judge others for how they choose to use their money.

Let the little things go. Ask yourself if it will matter in two weeks. Odds are, probably not.

It's just not worth the worry.

When in doubt, PRAY!

Jesus saves, ALWAYS.

Cooking is such a fun hobby when you live alone.

Pinterest is my favorite place to get inspiration!

Get active when you are in a bad mood.

Going to the gym or walking outside are such mood-boosters.

Don't be afraid to do things by yourself.

I went on a solo-tour in Copenhagen over the summer, and met some of the best people!

Reach out when you need human interaction.

You have to do the reaching out though. Trust that others will help you.

Buying a new comforter and new pillows are life-changing.

And it makes falling asleep at night that much easier.

Love where you are in your journey.

My pediatrician always tells me when I worry about my health. Just embrace where you are in your journey.

The only thing holding you back from confidence is YOU!

Just do it! Just be confident!

New pens are so, so fun!

And so fun to write with!!

Invest in good-smelling candles.

These are great after a long day of school and all you want to do is relax.

Don't let technology interfere with you being present.

And don't be on your friend when you are out with people. This is one of my biggest pet peeves.

Gossip gets you nowhere.

So don't do it! Don't start it, don't engage in it, don't be any part of it!

Just be KIND!

This will get you so far in life!

Be happy for other people's accomplishments, and don't doubt your own in the process.

Once again, embrace your own journey!

Read a book before you go to sleep at night.

This helps you get away from your cell phone and get your brain ready for sleep.

It's okay to say no. It's also okay to ask for help.

This is another big lesson I've actually implemented this year!!

God has a plan for you and it is GREAT!!

I could scream this from the rooftops till the end of my days. Trust in Him!!

Overall, this year taught me to rely on God more than myself, and I couldn't be more grateful for all the things this one lesson has taught me.

I can't wait to see what 2020 brings!

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

Syllabus Week As Told By Kourtney Kardashian

Feeling Lost During Syllabus Week? You're Not Alone!

University of Iowa

386

Winter break is over, we're all back at our respective colleges, and the first week of classes is underway. This is a little bit how that week tends to go.

The professor starts to go over something more than the syllabus

Kuwtk Keeping Up With The Kardashians GIFfrom Kuwtk GIFs

You get homework assigned on the first day of class

There are multiple group projects on the syllabus

Kardashian GIFfrom Kardashian GIFs

You learn attendance is mandatory and will be taken every class

Professor starts chatting about their personal life and what inspired them to teach this class

Participation is mandatory and you have to play "icebreaker games"

Everybody is going out because its 'syllabus week' but you're laying in bed watching Grey's Anatomy

Looking outside anytime past 8 PM every night of this week

Nobody actually has any idea what's happening this entire week

Kourtney Kardashian Keeping Up With The Kardashians GIFfrom Kourtney Kardashian GIFs

Syllabus week is over and you realize you actually have to try now...or not

Whatever GIFfrom Meh GIFs

Now it's time to get back into the REAL swing of things. Second semester is really here and we all have to deal with it.

syllabus week

Lifestyle

Signs You Worked At Panera Bread In High School

Chips, apple or bread?

Ithaca College

230

Whether you specialized in ringing people up or preparing the food, if you worked at Panera Bread it holds a special place in your heart. Here are some signs that you worked at Panera in high school.

1. You own so many pairs of khaki pants you don’t even know what to do with them

Definitely the worst part about working at Panera was the uniform and having someone cute come in. Please don’t look at me in my hat.

Keep Reading...Show less

panera bread

Politics and Activism

7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

Making the world safer through language.

University of Pittsburgh

3603

7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

With more people becoming aware of transgender and non-binary people, there have been a lot of questions circulating online and elsewhere about how to be more inclusive. Language is very important in making a space safer for trans and non-binary individuals. With language, there is an established and built-in measure of whether a place could be safe or unsafe. If the wrong language is used, the place is unsafe and shows a lack of education on trans and non-binary issues. With the right language and education, there can be more safe spaces for trans and non-binary people to exist without feeling the need to hide their identities or feel threatened for merely existing.

Keep Reading...Show less

transgender

Recommended for you

36 Life Lessons 2019 Taught Me About Being My Best Self

It was a memorable year, but I'm ready to move on from it.

In This Article:

Buying bigger clothes to fit my changing body is hard at first, but so, so freeing at the end.

You don't have to stay uncomfortable, do everything you can to make yourself comfortable (relationships, pillows, underwear.... anything!)

Unfollow people on social media who make you feel bad about yourself.

Talk about your feelings with your friends. You weren't made to go through things alone.

Trust that everyone is inherently good, until they prove you wrong.

Stick up for yourself; you are your biggest advocate!

There is a right and a wrong way to apologize. Learn the difference.

It's okay to date multiple people because it helps you figure out what you like and what you don't like.

Always use protection... no ifs, ands or buts.

Trust your gut because it's almost always right.

Don't let your head get ahead of your heart.

Jesus saves us from more than we recognize.

Heartbreak does not last forever. You will be okay again.

Say yes to spontaneous adventures with friends!

Find your people, and love them fiercely.

You don't have to like someone, but you do have to love them.

Accomplish at least one thing everyday- even if it's as simple as making your bed.

Don't take money for granted, but don't be overly stingy.

Let the little things go. Ask yourself if it will matter in two weeks. Odds are, probably not.

When in doubt, PRAY!

Cooking is such a fun hobby when you live alone.

Get active when you are in a bad mood.

Don't be afraid to do things by yourself.

Reach out when you need human interaction.

Buying a new comforter and new pillows are life-changing.

Love where you are in your journey.

The only thing holding you back from confidence is YOU!

New pens are so, so fun!

Invest in good-smelling candles.

Don't let technology interfere with you being present.

Gossip gets you nowhere.

Just be KIND!

Be happy for other people's accomplishments, and don't doubt your own in the process.

Read a book before you go to sleep at night.

It's okay to say no. It's also okay to ask for help.

God has a plan for you and it is GREAT!!

Subscribe to our Newsletter

It's happening.

Excitement

Relief

Excitement (again)

Sadness

Feeling Lost During Syllabus Week? You're Not Alone!

The professor starts to go over something more than the syllabus

You get homework assigned on the first day of class

There are multiple group projects on the syllabus

You learn attendance is mandatory and will be taken every class

Professor starts chatting about their personal life and what inspired them to teach this class

Participation is mandatory and you have to play "icebreaker games"

Everybody is going out because its 'syllabus week' but you're laying in bed watching Grey's Anatomy

Looking outside anytime past 8 PM every night of this week

Nobody actually has any idea what's happening this entire week

Syllabus week is over and you realize you actually have to try now...or not

Chips, apple or bread?

1. You own so many pairs of khaki pants you don’t even know what to do with them

2. Chips, apple or bread is probably your most repeated phrase

3. Taking bakery items with you out to parties was a must

4. Taking bakery items home to your parents was also a must (if you wanted to live)

5. Your friends expected you to give them free stuff

6. Being put on dishes made you question humanity

7. You saw everyone and their mother (especially their mothers)

8. Working the opening shift was actually the worst thing to ever happen to you

9. Being able to predict what people would order

10. Making coffee was your least favorite thing to do

11.Being put on the dining room was the absolute WORST

12. Secretly putting in your Panera card number when other people didn’t have them or want them.

13. You would still come in on days you weren’t working to take advantage of your discount

It's Been a Long Winter Break

Making the world safer through language.

1. Use singular they for people whose pronouns you don't know, people who use those pronouns, and stop using him/her.

2. Stop using the words "opposite sex" or "both sexes" or "opposite gender" or "both genders".

3. Ask people's pronouns when you meet them.

4. Use the word cisgender.

5. Stop saying "born a boy/girl" about a transgender or non-binary person.

6. Stop using the term 'preferred pronouns'.

7. Stop using a transgender or non-binary person's dead name.

Subscribe to our
Newsletter