Friday, March 8, 2013

Twenty-Five

Twenty-five.

 Before graduating high school, I honestly thought by the time I reached this day, my 25th birthday, I would be starting my career, happily married, and have a little one on the way. At that time twenty-five seemed so old. By twenty-five I was supposed to have my life figured out. Period.

Well, here I am on my big day and none of the above is even close to being a little bit true.

Surprisingly, however, I feel okay about where I am at in life. A year ago, while celebrating my 24th birthday, I doubted I would survive to see my 25th year. But here I am, stronger than ever. Rather than worrying about where I think I should be in life, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to start over. I have the rest of my life ahead of me; this is just the beginning.

Needless to say, I have learned a few things along the way.
Here are my top 25 lessons learned over the past quarter of a century:

1. Always surround myself with supportive, uplifting people
  2. Self acceptance is the first step towards finding happiness
3. Maybe my parents aren't so bad, after all
4. Low fat/fat free cheese is disgusting. It doesn't even melt, it just gets more rubbery
5. No matter what the number on the scale is, it will NEVER make me happy
6. Don’t drive over 40mph if the roads are just a little icy. I wish I would have learned that before totaling my first 3 cars...
7. No amount of time spent with grandparents is enough
8. Aluminum foil cannot be microwaved
 9. Feelings are just feelings- they will not hurt me, they will pass, and sometimes we need to feel pain in order to appreciate joy
10. Don’t wash black and white clothes together 
11. Be grateful for this moment, it’s all we have 
12. Soak up some sunshine whenever possible 
13. My journey is just that- my own. Comparing where I am at in life to my peers is pointless
14. Rock bottom is a foundation for building a new life 
15. Bad things do happen to good people 
16. Giving is a million times better than receiving… unless it’s shoes 
17. Taste buds change. I never, ever thought I would eat frozen meals, let alone enjoy them 
18. A change in perspective can change everything 
19. Fear will try to stop me, but I’m learning to be stronger than my fears 
20. Laughter really is the best medicine 
21. Baseball isn’t the only sport people care about 
22. Take time to notice something beautiful everyday 
23. If something is bothering me, speak up! Don’t stuff your feelings, express them 
24. Over thinking will destroy me
25. Making mistakes is the only way to grow


 

Twenty-five years old and, thanks to recovery, my life is just beginning.


Progress.

 

24 comments:

  1. Happy birthday first off! I hope your day is going wonderfully! This is how I thought too except about being 21. When I was younger I had this thing for being 21 and thought everything would be all flowers and butterflies when I got there and in some ways it is, but there's no age that you finally get to and have everything figured out. I don't think anyone has it all figured out. That's what life is for, to figure it out! Anyways, I love every one of this lessons, especially the low fat cheese haha!! Don't fear the fats! <3

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    1. You're right, Tayla, there is no "perfect" age when we are supposed to have things figured out. I guess the perfectionist in me put that silly idea in my head. Age really doesn't matter, does it?! Thanks for all of your support! <3

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  2. Happy Birthday!!!

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  3. It is enlightening to read this... you deserve the best birthday! i too feel like i had an "agenda" for how my life would be, but then i got ill and everything went abit lopsided! im still fighting through this recovery, but i hope that soon, i will learn to appreciate all those little things again too. Im sick or having this ED rule over all the fun that IS available if i choose it. Have a fantastic birthday and here's to 25 being a great year for you :)
    x

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    1. Thank you so much! It's not easy to have a positive attitude about it sometimes, but it sure beats being angry. Life isn't perfect... but that's okay. Best of luck to you! <3

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  4. You look the best now. When I was 25 years old, life was absolutely miserable. I came to the U.S believing in myself. Yes, I did. I already had my eating disorder, but it was not as bad as now. I just believed that my life would get better if I left Japan. I felt like, "Nothing to lose. I can always come back to Japan." When I look back now, I feel like, "How did I do such a huge change???? Didn't I have fear?" I love all of your 25 things, but 19 hits me. Yeah, I thought that by now, I would have had my family. Never thought that I would be single and professional in the U.S =) And, how did my life have changed? It changed for better, whether I believed it or not. Ed makes me believe that nothing got better, but the reality shows what it is. I feel not alone reading your blogs. I wish you a wonderful 25th year of your life! xoxo

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    1. Sounds like we have a lot of similarities. Number 19 is a hard one, I struggle with it a little bit still, too. Thanks for following and commenting! :)

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  5. Happy birthday sweet girl! You have officially made it 25 years! Here is to many, many more! Love you! <3
    xoxo
    KLM

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    1. Thanks so much, Miss Kenzie!! Can't wait to see you soon! <3

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  6. Happy birthday my beautiful fighter. <3

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  7. This perfect!I love this rules to live by<3

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  8. Happy Birthday Kelsi!
    I love your list. My favorite is #14, may I quote you sometime?

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    1. Thank you, Wendy! :)
      You may absolutely quote me anytime you want. I would be honored!

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  9. Happy birthday!! - and congratulations! x

    <3 Melissa
    http://wildflwrchild.blogspot.com

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  10. Kelsi - I know I am a bit late with this but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
    I hope that you had an absolutely fantastic day and really enjoyed yourself. I love reading your posts :) xxx

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  11. Yay! I know I am reading this 2 years later...but, it's HELPING SO MUCH. Recently turned 24, recovering from anorexia, reading this blog, and knowing I'm not alone. Much love, girl. <3

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    1. You're definitely not alone. Keep up the good work! :)

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