27 Things I Learned in the Last Year
You've heard a lot of them before.
One of the last things my grandmother said to me before she passed away a few weeks ago at age 96 was that you learn to accept the age that you are. She told me this during what I feel was the perfect time in my life for me to hear this. I’ve gone back and forth with this sentiment — part of me is very content with my age and my life and my success so far, and another part of me curses the pandemic for taking precious years from my early 20s, making me feel like I went from being a young college kid to almost 30. When I attended my last in-person class of college, I didn’t know it would be my last in-person class of college. Part of me forgets that I even graduated, as if there’s some semblance of my youth and my schooling that won’t ever feel final.
Yesterday, July 13, was my 27th birthday. Sevens and threes have always been significant in my life, and I feel that 27 will be a very special age for me. I was born on 7/13/1997, which was the first night my parents moved into their new house at an address ending in 007. When they divorced 7 years later, my mom moved into a house down the street at an address ending in 003. I’ve only ever lived on the 3rd floor of college dorms and apartments in New York, and I currently live in apartment 7 on the 3rd floor of my building. The first three digits of my phone number end in 3, and the last four digits end in 7. None of this really matters, but I do feel protected by these numbers. The number 7 has significance in almost every major religion, and it is often said that good things come in 3s. I love the date of my birthday because 7 is a lucky number, whereas 13 is considered an unlucky number, but they both feel lucky to me. Many of my friends joke that I have “Lucky Girl Syndrome” — good things are constantly happening to me — but I think I really just have 7/13 Syndrome.
Reflecting on the last year of my life, I went back to my posts from a year ago around this time. I had expressed that I wanted to write a children’s book, and this is something I’m currently working on !!!!! Last week, I had my first 3-hour Children’s Book Writing class and it was so special and it felt like therapy and I cried twice because children’s writing is so special and I texted all my best friends after and was absolutely reeling. Never stop learning.
During my 27th birthday week, I also hit 3K subscribers on here. Subscribers truly do not matter and these posts are more for me than they are for anyone else, but I want to express my gratitude for my readers and your comments and DMs which always always always make me smile and sometimes make me cry. Thank you thank you thank you. So much. :)
27 things I learned in the last year :)
Your long hair WILL grow back. And bangs are usually not worth it.
Never EVER settle. In any area of life.
Your online perception of someone is almost never their reality.
Pilates is the best workout.
Nothing is actually that serious.
Blocking is the best medicine. Out of sight, out of mind. (Elise, you told me this 2 years ago and I finally learned it this year.)
It’s okay to say “no” to things. You need to be able to say “no” to invites and not feel guilty about it. You do not need to give an explanation for why you can’t make it. FOMO is made-up. I’ve learned to embrace the Joy of Missing Out.
Losing a grandparent hurts worse in your 20s than it does when you’re a kid.
Oh, I actually can cook.
House parties are still the best. They always will be the best. And you do not need a reason to throw a house party.
You are what you eat.
Not everything is urgent — both at work and in your social life.
It’s kind of easy to get on the list…
If you can read, you can write!
Not all New York City landlords are evil.
When people do things alone, it does not mean they are lonely.
You can’t force feelings!!!!!!
Grand gestures go a long way. More grand gestures!
Once you’ve lost respect for someone, it’s hard to get it back.
Walking is the best form of transportation.
Suburbia isn’t so bad. Don’t discredit where you came from.
Not all friendships are meant to be sustained. Some are best preserved by relishing in the memories of the past and accepting that both parties have evolved. The best thing you can do is always want the best for each other.
It’s hard to change a parent’s mind about something they grew up believing in, but believe that they are almost always trying their best.
Taking pictures of your friends and of yourself is not annoying. Take more pictures. You’ll want them later.
Birthday texts mean a lot to people. Reaching out in general means a lot to people. If you’re thinking of someone, let them know. (Do not take this as a sign to text your toxic ex — that is NOT what I’m saying.)
I wholeheartedly believe that you can do anything you want to do. :) Anything.
You learn to accept the age that you are.
Bonus Content
Below is an excerpt from a children’s writing exercise from my class on Tuesday. The first sentence was given to us. The prompt was that Casey is an 11 year old in a children’s cooking competition, and she wants to win. We were given 5 minutes to write.
Casey watched as Sally chopped herbs on the next cutting board over, her knife slamming into the wood with the same rhythmic determination of a woodpecker.
She didn’t even sharpen her knife before this like I did, thinks Casey in her head. How is it possible that she’s chopped more than me?
Casey thinks for a moment. “I got this. I’m going to win this,” she says to herself.
She pivots from her cutting board to grab more ingredients from the refrigerator. Mom always says that it’s best to eat colorfully, so Casey thinks about what would make her plate look the prettiest and, more importantly, what would make her win.
As she peers into the expansive fridge, she notices an abundance of watermelon radishes in the bottom drawer. Bingo.
Casey decides she’s going to chop the vibrant, pink radishes and create a dish that represents the flowers in her mom’s garden. The judges will eat this up. Literally.
When Casey turns back to her cutting board, she notices that Sally has cut her finger from all her vigorous chopping. Casey ponders what would be the right thing to do—
I have a lot of chopping to do myself, but should I help Sally? she thinks. The clock is ticking and her radishes won’t chop themselves.
“Are you okay, Sally?” Casey asks.
Through tears, Sally whimpers, “I want to go home. I can’t do this anymore, Casey.”
Casey glances at her own board—now piled high with watermelon radishes—and at Sally’s board, which has organized piles of chopped basil and mint. As Sally’s tears continue, Casey thinks, and she quickly comes up with an idea. Every flower needs a stem, right?
Casey moves her cutting board next to Sally’s and starts chopping the radishes, one by one, and arranging them on a plate with Sally’s basil and mint.
“What are you doing?” asks Sally, wiping away her tears.
“You want to win too, don’t you?” asks Casey.
“Well, yes, but I–” stammers Sally.
“Two is better than one,” says Casey, “and besides, Mom always says that watering each other’s gardens is the best way to grow.”
thank you for reading<3 hope everyone is having a great summer it’s so hot lol
I also adore the number seven and as someone who is feeling very positive about turning 27 later this year i loved this list and energy
Every shoutout feels like a kiss. I love you more than you know <3