22 things about being 22

I’m closing one of the best years of my life at the end of the week. I have learned a lot of things and this is probably more for me than for anyone else. My goal is to simply put the things I have learned and the beauty I have seen in one year.

  1. GRADUATION REALITY
    I graduated college this year and more than ever I realized I don’t know everything…. or even a lot for that matter.
  2. SAY “I’M SORRY”
    Saying you are sorry doesn’t fix everything but it’s a beautiful start to reconciliation. This year I made a great decision in apologizing for soo deeply hurting (breaking up with) the man I will soon marry.
  3. BE A STUDENT
    I read 23 books this year and proudly learned all of the books in the world combined have less wisdom than the bible.
  4. CREATE SOMETHING
    I started making jewelry…. creating things, no matter what it is, helps you to appreciate life more.
  5. DO WHAT YOU LOVE
    I started “doing photography” and learned to let the things you love energize you to do the things you have to do.
  6. YOUR PLANS MAY LOOK DIFFERENT
    I tried to plan the next 5 years of my life and in 2 months it all changed. All plans are subject to change. Planning is healthy, right, and good… but just know it’s ok if things look differently than you plan.
  7. TIME IS PRECIOUS
    we don’t have a lot of time so make the time count. If you need to work over… DO it. But if you don’t need to work, leave the office in peace.
  8. DYI & PINTREST
    I completed 3 DIYs from pintrest, it’s NOT as easy as it looks.
  9. EVERYONE IS UNIQUE
    after taking hundreds of test I have learned that there are some things that cannot be measured. So much of the beauty in people is that we are all different.
  10. TRY NEW THINGS
    I learned to try new things; black coffee and kale is not that bad!
  11. DRINKING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SINFUL
    Most of my life I have been afraid to drink because I have really only seen it abused, this year I learned that its possible and normal for people to drink every once in a while… enjoy it and fellowship… and NO ONE gets drunk.
  12. I AM NOT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE EXPECT
    This year I was a part of upper and middle leadership during a VERY hard season at the ministry I am so grateful to work for. I learned that age (22) and status (in school/ almost graduating) doesn’t define success or capability. I can do more than what society says.
  13. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
    Let’s talk about family, I have always wanted to “grow up and go out” and be independent. This year I have realized how much I love and need my family and how they are always there.
  14. BE SELFLESS
    I started dating that guy (Tim) that I apologized to and learned how much it means to be loved by someone and to love someone…. Being selfless is hard but so rewarding.
  15. MARRIAGES DOESN'T HAVE TO FAIL
    I also got engaged this year, in that I also learned I am the most selfish and prideful woman and that all marriages don’t & won’t fail.
  16. RACISM CAN BE OVERCOME
    Maybe you didn't know but racism is still a thing. A thing I used to think it would alienate me from my family but this year I saw love triumph over all those petty things.
  17. WEAKNESS IS A GOOD THING
    It helps you to lean on others, in that becoming so much stronger. It also helps you realize that no matter how hard you try you weren’t meant to do life alone.
  18. “TOO BUSY” ISN’T A GOOD THING
    I realized that business is the enemy of love. you aren’t too busy for people or for life…. If you are… You’re doing something wrong.
  19. LOVE IS NOT A FEELING
    People that fall in an out of love, I fear, have never experience love as it was created to be. Love is constant and endures through much suffering and thrives through much joy. love is the most beautiful gift that holds everything together.
  20. PLANNING A WEDDING DOESN’T HAVE TO BE STRESSFUL
    That’s right, I said it. I am having so much fun. It’s planning a party to bless all the people you love and celebrate something much bigger than one day. Stick to your budget, ask for help, and make decisions of things you like.
  21. REST IS A GOOD THING
    It’s not a waste of a day to stay in your PJs.... All day long. Resting is so frowned upon in our culture because we are in pursuit of money and success. Some of the most beautiful moments in life are weaved into simple minutes and found when your clock and iphone aren't near.
  22. STARTING NEW AT 22
    it’s never too late to do what you want to do, it’s never too early to start anew.

This year has been a busy one; graduating college, getting engaged, planning a wedding, SO MUCH at work…. I have faced more fears than I thought possible. This year has been one of my favorites. It’s been a whirlwind of learnings and failures, of brokenness and beauty. I am expectant looking forwards to a new year, a new season…. But I have found such joy and loveliness in this past year.

Take time, breathe in and out, take a walk in the grass, have your coffee “for here”, seek to be humble, have a great year.

Beth MichiemoComment