22 Lessons From My 22 Years
Feelin’ 22.
T-minus 35 days till I walk across the stage, crossing over into a new, unwritten chapter of my life. Graduating college, moving to New York City, and pursuing a graduate degree at New York University seemed like a distant dream that I would only ever be able to imagine by vicariously living through my Pinterest boards.
But now, come August 2025, that dream will be a reality.
As I reflect on the work, time, and lessons from my nearly 22 years of living that brought me here, there are 22 pieces of advice that have helped make me ready and able to write this next chapter in my story:
Time is better spent doing literally anything else besides scrolling on Instagram and TikTok. But, take pictures. Make reels. Journal. Document everything.
You don’t have to remember what someone did, just how it made you feel.
Walking is one of the best forms of exercise.
Read, read, read.
Quality over quantity, for everything (friends, work, etc.).
Romanticize everyday things.
Get the sweet treat.
If you overwork yourself now, you won’t be able to do any work later. Pace yourself.
Shop sustainable – thrift!
Make vision boards at the start of every new year.
Consciously make decisions that align with the person you want to become. Think like that person.
Your intuition is never wrong. Your gut often knows who and what’s right for you before your brain does.
You will never find where you’re meant to be if you aren’t being yourself on the journey to get there.
A smile goes a long way. You never know what someone else is going through.
Instagram is a lie. A body with cellulite, acne, hair, and “imperfections” is perfectly normal.
Go to sleep early, wake up early. Get 8 hours of sleep.
Even the best-laid plans can change. Life can change in an instant.
Closure doesn’t exist.
Your partner should bring out the best in you, they should make you love yourself more. But they shouldn't make you love yourself to begin with.
My parents often knew best. But sometimes so did I.
Getting a dog in college was the most thoughtful, impulsive, brave, stressful, best, most worthwhile decision I ever made.
The only thing that defines you is your heart, your intentions, and what you love – not your grades, your weight, your followers, etc.
Take or leave these lessons, but at the very least, I hope this list inspires you to make your own and to always, just keep dancing like you’re 22.
