Growing Up - Life Lessons That I Have Learnt

Back when I was a teenager, I used to think I was so grown up and mature and, to be honest, compared to others my age, I probably was quite mature but I certainly didn't know as much as I thought I did. Likewise, I'm sure that in a year's time, I will look back on today and realise how much I didn't know. We are constantly growing up and constantly learning each day, each month, and each year.

I feel like I have learnt so many life lessons over the years so, today, I would like to share a few of them with you all.

The future matters. I know the importance of making the most of every day but it is just as important to think about the future. The future is exciting. I like knowing that everything that I do today is building a better and brighter tomorrow. A mortgage won't pay itself, a family won't build itself, and your dreams will not land in your lap. Live each day to the maximum but also know that tomorrow does come. Make the most of today but plan ahead too. We are the future so let's make it a bright one.

Letting go can sometimes be the best thing that you can do for yourself. Letting go can be painful, it can be difficult and uncomfortable but, at the same time, it can be exhilarating and refreshing. In the past year, I have let go of a a handful of people in my life who were once my confidantes. In some cases, we simply outgrew each other. As I've got older, I've realised that I don't have to settle for second best, I don't have to settle with being the fallback kid, and I don't have to settle for being unhappy. It's hard to let go but it's even harder to hold onto something that drains the light from your life.

A true friendship isn't hard work. A friendship is a two way street, you shouldn't have to constantly work for it. When two people get on with each other and want to spend time together, they will. I've spent a lot of my life being a bit of a doormat and letting others take advantage of my kind nature whilst tolerating them letting me down when I need them. Those aren't true friends, those are people who just want to use you. I've been that girl who will always send the first text and then have to wait days for a reply. I've been that girl who will always be the first to arrange meet-ups, only for the other person or people to tell me that they're busy every time. Those aren't true friends and, the chances are, they never were.

You can't help who you fall for. This is one of the biggest lessons I have learnt in the past year. I have fallen in and out of lust with guys who weren't right for me, or guys who would be perfect given another time and another place. Sometimes it hurts, but sometimes it gives something beautiful, even if just for a brief moment, and it is entirely worth it just for those moments. I have learnt to let my guard down in the last year and just let myself fall, because it is honestly one of the best feelings. Not everyone will get their happy ever after, and not everyone will find "the one" straight away. Also, not everyone will approve be it parents, exes or friends, but it is easy to underestimate your own mind. They are not you, follow your instincts and don't be afraid to go on dates and to get to know people. Holding back can mean missing out on something beautiful.

Health is our biggest asset. I feel like so many people take their health for granted because, well, it's just something that is there, right? It gets ignored until we are hit with an illness and it should never be that way. At the start of this year, I made a drastic change to my lifestyle, not because anything bad had happened, but because I want to be able to experience life at the fittest and healthiest state that I can be in. I love being active and I love taking care of my own body, it is the only one I have. You don't have to cut out cakes and you don't have to go for a run every day but get moving, eat well, nourish your body but treat it from time to time too. All too often I hear people saying that even the healthiest person can be hit with a dreadful sickness so what's the point? Well the point is, you're a lot more likely to be healthy if you consciously live that way. No one can tell you that you're guaranteed your health for life, but you can do things that you will thank yourself for in 5 or 10 years time. There are illnesses that many middle-aged people suffer from and they have cultivated that from their lifestyle habits as a youth. I want to grow old gracefully and still exude energy whilst I am doing it.

Growing up is exciting as we learn more about ourselves. Just when I'd hit 20, I thought to myself "oh gosh, I'm getting old!" and I would have done anything to rewind the years. Now? I'm still in my early twenties but I have a much more positive outlook on growing up and, dare I say it, I actually think that growing up is a little exciting. As the years have gone on, I have learnt to love myself more, to understand what it is I truly want from life, and to stop wasting time on the things that drag me down. My future is looking pretty bright at the moment and everything seems to be falling into place so I am definitely looking forward to the years ahead. Very few things are handed to you on a plate when you're an adult. It is up to ourselves to get out there and make the most of everything.....

I hope you have all had a beautiful weekend and I hope you enjoyed reading this post as I really enjoyed writing it. Please let me know your thoughts below and let me know what you have learnt from life.