Growing Up is Cool

March 6th 2019

It’s 12:30 AM on February 10th and I was about to fall asleep until I started thinking about life so now I’m here writing you a blog post.

Growing up is really cool because you’re always learning about yourself and life.

At age 4, I learned that proposing to a boy by offering him bologna for his hand in marriage isn’t the way to get shit done…although it should be.

At age 5, I learned what gullible meant…and that it wasn’t written on the ceiling like the boy in class said.

At age 6, I learned about being an independent learner when I got my tonsils taken out and I had to miss a few weeks of school. I’m still infinitely grateful for my first grade teacher who came to my house to tutor me so I wouldn’t fall behind.

At ages 7 or 8, I learned I would never be an artist after a few months of weekly art classes where I discovered that I didn’t have the patience that it takes to create art…at least not on paper.

At age 9, I learned that, despite being right handed, I hold my pens like a lefty and I smudge my writing with side of my palm if I’m not careful.

At age 10, I learned about social media…MySpace specifically. I wonder if I can count that as “knowledge of HTML” on resumes. MySpace also helped me discover my taste in music…which was shitty at the time.

At age 11, I learned that even the best of friends drift apart, but it is for the best. I also learned that sometimes your best friends are also your biggest bullies.

At age 12, I learned about YouTube which soon became my personal escape from reality. I liked Shoes, Muffins, Charlie the Unicorn, and other silly one-off videos before discovering bigger influencers like Shane Dawson and Fred.

At age 13, I learned that things that bothered most girls didn’t bother me. I didn’t care about getting a boyfriend at 13 but I also dated a guy for a month because I felt pressured to date (he turned out to be gay and I wasn’t even a little shocked).

At age 14, I learned that bullying wasn’t just pushing people into lockers or beating people up, it was posting nasty things online and leaving you out on purpose.

At age 15, I learned that people who will take someone else’s word over yours aren’t true friends. I also learned that sometimes the universe knows how to get you out of a sticky situation in a pinch. Someone’s backpack strap getting caught on the fire alarm not only spurred an impromptu fire drill, it also saved me from being bullied at my locker.

At age 16, I learned that it was better to spend time alone than spend it with people who treat you like garbage. I also learned that I “cared more about other people while everyone else cared about themselves” and that was apparently bad and because of that I’d “make friends in college.” I also learned how to drive which was pretty neat. This was also the year I took an interest in theatre. I also made a new friend online and she is still my friend today. That’s a neat lesson that distance doesn’t make or break a friendship.

At age 17, I learned that it is okay to outgrow your first “love”. I rediscovered Paramore was really cool (and still are). I got my driver’s license and, even though I thought it’d make people think I was cool, it didn’t.

At age 18, I learned about what real love felt like. I also learned about Spotify and made playlists for cool artists like Ellie Goulding, Hoodie Allen, Paramore, and Bastille. I started going to a lot of concerts and discovered my love for Betty Who. I also learned that sometimes you meet the most important people in life by accident.

At age 19, I learned I loved plush blankets and hated arugula. I also learned that sometimes the universe takes people away to help us grow, even though it hurts. I also learned that painting keeps me calm and my best friend is amazing.

At age 20, I learned that most of the friends you make during freshman year of college aren’t real friends. You all are just equally afraid of being alone so you band together until you all meet new groups and split off. It’s ok though. I also learned that friendships outside of college are just as important as the ones in college. I also discovered my love for yoga.

At age 21, I learned that I shouldn’t be allowed at bars and it is weird to get drunk and tear up because Mario Kart is hard while drunk. I also learned that sometimes you need to speak up for yourself even if it means losing someone in the process. Never ever sacrifice your mental well-being for someone else’s fragile ego.

At age 22, I learned that goodbyes can be hard but necessary. No one should ever make you feel like you’re the background player in your own life. I also fell so in love with yoga that I decided to teach it. I learned a lot about myself, life, and yoga in those 6 months.

At age 23, I learned that I’ve become a pickier eater as I’ve gotten older. I’ve learned that even the most painful things stop hurting as much eventually. I learned that life after college isn’t as cut and dry as it seems. I learned that the universe has it’s own plans, even if yours are different. I learned that relationships are investments and not all breakups need to end in a war. I learned that real bras are sort of ok, exercise is fun sometimes, blogging 4 times a week is hard, traveling is expensive, and now isn’t always the best time.

I have definitely learned a lot more, but this is what stuck out to me most. But the most important thing that I’ve learned is how to be my own best friend. And there is still so much more for me to learn at 24 and beyond.

Jess~