Things I Am Learning At 22

I am basically 2 months into being 22 and let me say it has been the weirdest two months of my life. I have never laughed, cried, and fought so hard in my life and I have some lessons that I will probably take with me for the rest of my life.

Things I have learned since turning 22:

• Find a reason to smile each day. I have this customer who is the biggest pain in the butt sometimes but in reality he is my favorite. No matter what he makes me laugh and smile on the worst days. He told me that you have to find a reason to smile each day and its stuck with me. There's always something good that happens even on a bad day.
• ALWAYS CALL HOME. Living out of state is so weird but Vermont is my home. I call my dad at LEAST 2 times a week sometimes more. He is my best friend and my biggest supporter even at 22 and I am forever grateful for his example and his love even when he makes fun of me.
• Life is awkward. I recently started going back on dates after really ending something that has taken me two months to finally decide that I can put myself back out there. I went on a date with a guy who spent the entire time talking about his ex girlfriend. I went on another date with a guy who I later found out works at the restaurant that my ex and i used to go to all the time but we never met until then. Yeah life is weird. Awkward stories down the road are pretty sweet sometimes
• Cut out toxic people. So I recently cut out my mother. I don't have any communication with her at all nor I don't think it is gonna happen. My life has been fantastic since then. It has been a long time coming and that is all I am going to say about that.
• Be Bold I thank a guy for this one. I met him probably a month a half ago and since then I have learned to be bold in my feelings and take chances. I am learning (still a work in progress) to be up front in what I want. I also am more bold with what I deserve. I have come to realize that I deserve to be treated with respect and to love and be loved in return.
• Don't Beg Anyone To Stay In Your Life. This one hurts. Between, losing people who I swore would be in my life forever to a breakup that honestly has opened my eyes and made me realize that it is a complete waste of time to beg people to stay in your life if they don't want to be. It does so good just to let go and move on even if it super hard.

22 is weird. I some days feel like I am constantly having a midlife crisis. I feel like sometimes I need another tattoo(i mean its true but adulting) or a piercing or to just go home and cuddle with my baby brother. As interesting as it has been, I am honestly excited for all the things 22 is gonna bring at me.