And for my next 25 years…

I did not want a big party or anything extravagant for my 25th birthday even though I absolutely ADORE presents and attention.  I greatly dislike birthdays because there is always a tremendous amount of pressure for them to be wonderful and when one little thing goes wrong that would normally be a hiccup any other day, becomes a travesty.

I am in a transition phase of life.  Where I’m leaving a huge part of my life behind and moving on to be more “adult-like” UGH.  Seemingly terrible at times, I’m actually enjoying this move towards adulthood, most of the time.

While I do not like the idea of getting older, I’m actually fully embracing this new journey of “growing up” that I’ve been on.  “Growing up” is such an ugly phrase, I prefer to think of it as taking more responsibility for my own happiness and my life.  Every day I become more conscious of me.

I’m currently working towards having more deep rooted moments of happiness, fun and feelings of success.  Before I used to think that by living for the moment you constantly had to be having fun.  But I’ve recently realized that living for the moment can mean that you’re living in the moment by preparing for the future.  Working hard and whole heartedly at moments of happiness, fun and success leave longer lasting good feelings then all the instant gratification fixes I’ve spent much of the first 25 years of my life craving.

So for my 25th, I decided to take a few moments pause to reflect.

25 things I have learned…

1. A LOT can change in a year.
2. While a lot can change, a lot stays the same.
3. Practice more self control, especially when eating candy and pizza.
4. I don’t want to own a restaurant.
5. Strawberries contain more vitamin C then any other fruit.
6. I can run a half marathon.
7. I learned to be more confident.
8. I’m no longer my parents priority.
9. Less is so. much. MORE.
10. I’m a pretty decent cook.
11. My grandfather is my biggest fan.
12. It’s best not to have attachments to things.
13. I like the taste of frogs legs.
14. It’s best to fully COMMIT to a day of laziness.
15. Movies like “Pretty Woman” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” will almost always make me feel better.
16. There is little an ice cream cone and/or pizza can’t make at least a little tiny bit better.
17. It’s better to have tirelessly tried then to never have tried and never know.
18. It is more rewarding to watch something you wholly believe in succeed in the smallest way then to watch something you don’t believe in succeed in the biggest way.
19. It’s important to take time for yourself, but being self-absorbed is not an attractive quality.
20. I too easily let the little things upset me.
21. Not every day will be perfect.
22. There’s a special feeling that comes with the first warm day that you can only feel after enduring a New England winter.
23. Having some one believe in you makes ALL the difference.
24. There’s no use in obsessing over the things one cannot control.
25. It’s best not to put too much pressure on any one person, moment or event.

25 things I want to work on…

1. Not making things more complicated then they really are.
2. Floss more.
3. Drink more tea.
4. Be more confident.
5. Make my bed and match my sox more often.
6. Try more wine.
7. Go out dancing more.
8. Eat more fish.
9. Communicating more clearly.
10. Dwell less speak more.
11. Not sweating the small stuff.
12. Watch all those classic movies I’ve been saying I would.
13. Be more genuine.
14. Practice more random acts of kindness, including paying someone else’s toll and over tipping.
15. Call and/or write to my grandmother more.
16. Take more time for myself.
17. Do the things I like to do.
18. Listen to what I really want.
19. Read more books.
20. Slow down.
21. Eat slower.
22. Take less pictures.  One good one is better then a hundred okay ones.
23. Start to learn Italian.
24. Hold less expectations.
25. Waiting to calm down before speaking.