By GG Renee
Looking at the calendar and realizing that 2015 is halfway over got me thinking about how fast time seems to fly by now that I’m an adult. When I was a kid, a week felt like a month and a month felt like a year. Summer vacations seemed to last forever and being an adult felt like this faraway, almost mythical thing.
I was in such a rush to grow up and I wanted to know and do everything at once. I thought that adults had all the answers and all the fun. Before I knew it, I was 18. Then I was 21. And suddenly, time was flying past me. 25 came and went. 30 said hello and goodbye. Wait! Wasn’t I just 12 years old a minute ago?
Time doesn’t wait for us. But we can make the most of the time we have by appreciating every day, the people in our lives, the ups and downs that make up our life experience. Is your life going the way you planned? Maybe not. But maybe it’s time to release your old plans and surrender to where you are and where you want to go from here.
I have dreams and goals that I’m still working on, but I’m content with where I am. My focus has shifted from chasing specific outcomes to valuing my journey as it evolves. If I could give my 18 year old self some advice, it would go something like this:
Real, authentic living is not measured in years, or in physical assets or achievements. Real living, if it can be measured at all, is captured in those moments when you embrace your innermost self, or you finally stand up for yourself, or you take a huge risk in order to change your life.
Find your truth and cling to it. Lying to yourself and others to save face is unnecessary. Nobody cares about your credit report or how much your gift cost or how much money you make -- the people who matter only care about your friendship.
People will come and go from your life. Expect it and don't be afraid. When they go the memories will make you smile, cry, lust, or cringe -- but don't regret a thing. Let yourself live and learn, break rules and be reckless sometimes. Don't be afraid of ups and downs because you are stronger than you think. And the more you can say that you've done things that you thought you'd never do? The more you have lived.
Don't be intimidated by people you think are smarter than you. You're a genius in your own way. Discovering that genius and how to share it to make the world a better place -- that will be your life's work.
Don't worry about the years so much. Instead, take care of the moments. There will always be another quest, so get used to uncertainty. Let it make you stronger. Your perspective will change over time, but your hopeful spirit will stay constant.
Take a moment to reflect today on where you’ve been, where you are and where you want to go. Say thank you. Forgive. Believe in yourself and press on with gratitude.
What would you tell your 18 year old self?
GG Renee is an independent author, a creativity coach, a feeler and an overthinker. She writes for the crazy beautiful complex free creative inspired love drunk woman who relishes her quiet time and believes in miracles. Blog // Twitter // Instagram
Looking at the calendar and realizing that 2015 is halfway over got me thinking about how fast time seems to fly by now that I’m an adult. When I was a kid, a week felt like a month and a month felt like a year. Summer vacations seemed to last forever and being an adult felt like this faraway, almost mythical thing.
I was in such a rush to grow up and I wanted to know and do everything at once. I thought that adults had all the answers and all the fun. Before I knew it, I was 18. Then I was 21. And suddenly, time was flying past me. 25 came and went. 30 said hello and goodbye. Wait! Wasn’t I just 12 years old a minute ago?
Time doesn’t wait for us. But we can make the most of the time we have by appreciating every day, the people in our lives, the ups and downs that make up our life experience. Is your life going the way you planned? Maybe not. But maybe it’s time to release your old plans and surrender to where you are and where you want to go from here.
I have dreams and goals that I’m still working on, but I’m content with where I am. My focus has shifted from chasing specific outcomes to valuing my journey as it evolves. If I could give my 18 year old self some advice, it would go something like this:
Real, authentic living is not measured in years, or in physical assets or achievements. Real living, if it can be measured at all, is captured in those moments when you embrace your innermost self, or you finally stand up for yourself, or you take a huge risk in order to change your life.
Find your truth and cling to it. Lying to yourself and others to save face is unnecessary. Nobody cares about your credit report or how much your gift cost or how much money you make -- the people who matter only care about your friendship.
People will come and go from your life. Expect it and don't be afraid. When they go the memories will make you smile, cry, lust, or cringe -- but don't regret a thing. Let yourself live and learn, break rules and be reckless sometimes. Don't be afraid of ups and downs because you are stronger than you think. And the more you can say that you've done things that you thought you'd never do? The more you have lived.
Don't be intimidated by people you think are smarter than you. You're a genius in your own way. Discovering that genius and how to share it to make the world a better place -- that will be your life's work.
Don't worry about the years so much. Instead, take care of the moments. There will always be another quest, so get used to uncertainty. Let it make you stronger. Your perspective will change over time, but your hopeful spirit will stay constant.
Take a moment to reflect today on where you’ve been, where you are and where you want to go. Say thank you. Forgive. Believe in yourself and press on with gratitude.
What would you tell your 18 year old self?
GG Renee is an independent author, a creativity coach, a feeler and an overthinker. She writes for the crazy beautiful complex free creative inspired love drunk woman who relishes her quiet time and believes in miracles. Blog // Twitter // Instagram