Life Lessons I’ve Learned By Age 26

Inspired by The Minimalist Vegan, I’ve decided to get personal and share some real life thoughts. I recently, not so recently, turned 26 in March. While I’m told that’s young, I’ve never felt so old. Aging is scary to me. I wanted to share some life lessons I’ve learned along the way. Maybe you’ll also learn more about me as a person, I don’t usually share content like this, however it’s important for me to start. I want my readers to understand who I am and give all of you someone to relate to. I’m more than recipes, even though I love sharing those too.

Today I’m branching out of my comfort zone. These are all the things I wish I could share and discuss with my peers but I keep to myself, be it because I’m still working through my own insecurities or I don’t value my own words to hold meaning to others, I genuinely don’t care anymore. Why express myself quietly and hide my thoughts? Living in fear isn’t living, it’s denying yourself the opportunity to grow. So today I’m sharing something I wrote a few months ago, in hopes it will shed some light on who I am and what I’ve learned in my life thus far. I hope you enjoy this style of content. As always I appreciate each and every one of you that takes the time to read my posts. Admitting I like validation from my peers seems childish, but don’t we all just want to feel accepted and appreciated for who we are and what we think?

[bctt tweet=”Living in fear isn’t living, it’s denying yourself the opportunity to grow.” username=”plantstrongveg”]

Time Goes On
Despite my thoughts as a teenager, time has the opposite affect nowadays. It does not stand still for me. I must move at a comfortable pace or I’m doomed to question why there aren’t enough hours in the day. I find it discouraging some days and others days I’m scared. What will happen tomorrow? Despite my best intentions to make the most of each moment, I’m always reminded that tomorrow is a new day and I have the opportunity to do as I please with it. Eventually my time will end and I want to be able to look back on it knowing I made a difference inspiring others.

You Are Your Own Happiness
In my early twenties I met my husband and put so much of my heart into our relationship. We’re two different people, but we love unconditionally. I always took it personally when my good intentions weren’t reciprocated. As the years have gone by I’ve come to terms that be it my husband, my parents or my friends, they aren’t the source of my happiness. I create my happiness and everything else is a bonus. Focusing on you and what makes you happy is a challenge, especially when you want to spend all your time pleasing others. Remember that you come first. That’s not being selfish, it’s self-love.

[bctt tweet=”Remember that you come first. That’s not being selfish, it’s self-love.” username=”plantstrongveg”]

Negativity Is A Downward Spiral
It’s easy to get caught up in hurt feelings. Putting yourself online means you’re subjecting yourself to the good and the bad. Not everyone will like you, what you have to say or what you stand for. The greatest piece of advice I have for anyone that receives mean comments on posts, surrounds their self with conflicting peers or is their own worst critic – you have the ability to look at any given situation as a blessing. What you decide to do with it is on you, don’t give anyone (including the voice inside your head) the satisfaction of bringing you down. Don’t acknowledge negativity, unless you’re spreading positivity in return. Remind yourself that anyone that takes the time to project unhappy thoughts on to others, is probably a person that’s hurting and they want to make others hurt to lift their spirits.

Fuel Your Passion
It took me a few years to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. We go to school, some of us continue education in college and we’re asked “what do you want to be when you’re older”? It’s okay not knowing right this moment. You have time to figure it out. Starting with what inspires you and genuinely gets you excited is a great place to begin. Life’s too short to follow in someone else’s footsteps. Follow your own dreams and if it’s meant to be, it will happen for you. Just keep fighting for it.

[bctt tweet=”Follow your own dreams and if it’s meant to be, it will happen for you. Keep fighting for it.” username=”plantstrongveg”]

Growing Up Is Hard
It’s easy to take for granted living at home and having food provided to you. Having to struggle to pay bills, feed your family and/or make due is not something I would wish upon anyone. But it’s a reality many of us have to face. Not everyone is financially stable. Getting older means taking on more responsibilities and supporting yourself. Despite being ready for it or not.

Health Is Freedom
Living a vegan lifestyle has provided me with the ability to heal faster. I’m not able to afford healthcare, I invest my money into vibrant foods and take care of myself to the best of my abilities. I’ve reversed my medical conditions and stand by the fact that eating to live is 100% true.

Trust Your Gut
Something I’ve always been an advocate for, but didn’t actually stand behind until I got older. If you have a bad feeling about something, odds are it’s not right. Don’t follow through with anything you’re not completely confident in. I’ve wasted so much time and money on things I was convinced to believe in. As a teenager, I would go against that internal red flag. I put myself in a lot of dangerous situations and I wish I had had the courage to realize I was being foolish. Never second-guess that gut instinct. I may be overly paranoid, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. No matter how cliche that phrase may be. I stand by it.

Don’t Believe Everything You See
We live in a world that’s heavily dictated by the media. I was naive to assume so many celebrities/people truly endorsed different things with a clear conscience. The fact of the matter is, people sell out and it’s easy to be swayed when someone you admire supports something. Use your best judgement to see what’s real and what’s fake. Which goes along perfectly with “trust your gut”.

Feed Your Soul
Whether it be through a creative outlet of choice, find something that brings you peace. For me that would have to be a collaborative tie between cooking with my family and being outside/camping. I love to give myself time to do what makes me happy. It only makes me a happier person, seems like an easy enough concept, right?

Love Unconditionally
I didn’t know true love until I met my husband. I love my family, of course, but love with a partner is completely different. My heart has grown so much in my twenties. I lost my grandpa, rescued two cats and married my soulmate. All of which have changed my heart in the deepest ways possible. Once you find love, your perception of life shifts. Caring for someone or something unconditionally makes you susceptible to pure joy or devastating heartache. Both of which are inevitable feelings.

Make It Count
Each day is an opportunity for you to do something meaningful. Most of us live mundane lives, working office jobs. I’m thankful to work from home, but I’m challenged daily to stay focused and use my time wisely. It’s easy to get lost in time and forget that our days are numbered, I hate to say that but it’s very true. I now wake up and ask myself “what will I do today?”. There’s a difference between can and will. I can do whatever I set my mind to. I will accomplish everything I push myself to work towards.

[bctt tweet=”I will accomplish everything I push myself to work towards.” username=”plantstrongveg”]

Meditate Daily
I didn’t implement meditation into my lifestyle until this year. It was a concept I didn’t quite understand and being the perfectionist I am, I thought I was doing it “wrong”. The beauty of meditation is there isn’t a right or wrong way of doing it. Finding a quiet place to clear your mind for 10-15 minutes a day can ground you and open your mind to positive thinking and living. You develop a routine with it and slowly relax more and more with each session. I’ve found that taking this time to myself has helped me find peace within myself, confidence in my choices and respect for my body.

Family Is Everything
Growing up I kept a distance between myself and my parents. I fought with my siblings and didn’t think much of family gatherings. Over the span of my twenties and more recently this past year, I’ve realized just how important it is to have a family to confide in. I’m very fortunate to have a family that I’m truly connected to, I understand not everyone is privileged with this. I consider my parents and siblings to be some of my very best friends in life, I’m not sure what I would do without them. Right now I feel it’s vital to let them know how much they mean to me, I have no shame in expressing my gratitude towards them. Breaking down that emotional barrier has made me a stronger person in the long run. Life’s too short not to tell someone just how much you truly love them.

If you could share a vital life lesson you’ve learned thus far, what would it be? I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. You’re never too old to continue learning and further advancing your wellbeing.