33 Things I've Learned At 33.

I’m gonna be 34 years old on August 28th of this year. I’ve done a lot, seen a lot, fucked up a lot, while also somehow becoming a better person. Here’s 33 things I’ve learned at 33.

1. I can’t control everything.

2. I’m too old to settle for nonsense.

3. Being unnecessarily mean isn’t cute.

4. There are still things in the world that can make me smile.

5. Being quiet and intelligent is much better than being loud and wrong.

6. Pets really do become your family. Sometimes, better than family.

7. Change can be good.

8. Generational trauma is not your fault.

9. I am STILL way too critical of myself.

10. My accomplishments are valid no matter how much I try to downplay them.

11. You should care what people say about you - constructive criticism should be looked at it for what it is and handled accordingly.

12. I am not broken, I am a work in progress.

13. I fucking love concerts.

14. It’s okay if I’m not knowledgeable about a certain topic, as long as I’m willing to listen and learn more about it.

15. It’s okay if things don’t go exactly as planned. Getting to your destination is still awesome.

16. Basic human rights shouldn’t be up for debate.

17. Cherishing the people I love and care about is something I need to do on a regular basis.

18. I’m not letting negativity come into my life and ruin things.

19. I am still socially anxious. I’ve gotten better at dealing with it, but I still need to work on coping with it.

20. Worrying about my actual weight (as a number) isn’t needed - how I feel, how much energy I have, and my overall wellness is what matters.

21. It’s okay to stop being friends with someone you’ve grown close to. The good experiences you’ve had with them are still valid, but you’re just not meant to be in each other’s lives.

22. I’m too old for Instagram.

23. It’s okay to love someone, but not like them.

24. My inner child is REALLY loud sometimes and nostalgia makes me feel good.

25. Maybe New York isn’t the best place for me to settle down and start my family. Maybe not even the United States.

26. Talking things out is the move.

27. Your zodiac sign is not an excuse to be an asshole unwilling to change for the better.

28. American history is much more complex than I thought it was.

29. My mental illnesses do not make me any less deserving of love and compassion.

30. Just because I have high standards/expectations does not mean I’m “stuck up”. It means I know my worth and I refuse to settle.

31. It takes a lot of time, maturity, and genuine emotional work to become a better person.

32. I’m awesome and that’s never gonna change.

33. Beat me black and blue, every wound will shape me, every scar will build my throne.