19 Things I've Learned in 19 years!!

1. Slowing down isn't always a bad thing.

I learned this during my breaks from school (specifically Christmas break & the first three weeks of summer break). During these times, I had absolutely no school work. With no academic deadlines to occupy my mind, I had to learn how to create my own fun. I learned the value of reaching out to my hometown friends & family, reading, writing, working out, and allowing myself to relax.

2. Notice your feelings, but don't let them control you.

I believe feelings are real, but they cannot always be trusted. The word of God, however, can always be trusted. The Bible says to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).

3. Don't run from discomfort; find comfort within it.

Unfortunately, life is full of experiences that make us uncomfortable. The quicker we can learn and implement skills to help us cope with the changes of life, the better. Some of my coping mechanisms include deep breathing, memorizing & meditating on scripture, talking it out, crying when necessary, exercising, praying, journaling, and laughing!

4. Find someone to look up to.

Who doesn't love a good role model? This can be someone in your own life or a positive influence online. Here are some of my current online role models and what I admire them for: Jeanine Amapola (maturity), Madi Prewett (confidence), Sadie Robertson (courage), Emma Mae Jenkins (devotion to the Lord), Georgia Brown (joy), Grace Valentine (authenticity), Cambria Joy (uplifting), Abbey Sharp (humor + intelligence), and so much more! Each of these individuals have some form of social media, so def check them out!

5. Start living your life now.

You don't have to wait for things to be "perfect" to start enjoying your life and living it to the fullest. Looking back, I definitely fell into this trap during high school. If no one has told you, allow me to the first. Don't wait for a relationship to come, an opportunity to present itself, or a milestone to pass to begin living a life you enjoy. You can start now!

6. Read the Bible. It's actually really interesting.

I have to admit, I'm not the best at this. However, a good devotional book always helps me out. I'm currently reading "Freedom Looks Good on You", and I just finished the Genesis Study from FortheGirl ministries. Highly recommended. Our God is so amazing. Imagine how much we could learn about Him if we actually committed to opening the Bible for just thirty minutes every day?!

7. Be intentional about your friendships. Good friends make gloomy days so much brighter!!

I feel like this should be emphasized more. During high school, it's pretty easy to have friends because you're with the same people everyday, but after high school, I have found that I have to be very intentional about spending time with my friends. A good coffee chat, phone call, or FaceTime is never a bad idea! I highly recommend looking up what author + speaker Jennie Allen has to say about community! Having GOOD & GODLY friends to turn to simply makes life so much better!

8. Learn to laugh about your mistakes.

This is a lot easier said than done. Chances are, you've done some pretty embarrassing things that you wish you could go back and undo. But the reality is, you can't! So, the best option is to laugh about it, learn from your mistakes, and use your experiences to help others! The good news is things are typically not as big of a deal as you think they are ;)

9. Keep a positive perspective.

My mom always says, "Positive attitudes bring positive results." (hi mommy, I know you're reading this :). As much as I hate to admit it, this is actually true. I have a plaque in my room that my aunt got me that says, " One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day." This is so so true.

10. Give yourself some grace.

I once heard on a podcast by Emma Mae Jenkins a quote that said "you're not better than anyone else, so it makes sense that you struggle too." This was revolutionary for me because I felt like I had somehow believed the lie that God held me to a higher standard than others. Of course, He despises all sin, but "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24). We should always keep in the forefront of our mind that God is in control, and no sin can undo His perfect plan. I'm so thankful for a sovereign God who I will get to spend eternity in Heaven with one day!

11. Life is so much more fun when it's not just about you!

We tend to get so caught up in our own lives that we forget that pretty much everyone else feels the same way. Take a break from worrying about yourself and get invested in other people's lives. Be someone others can count on for advice, some encouragement, or a visit on a hard day.

12. It's okay to say no.

Although this may seem to counter my previous point, life is all about balance. Yes, be there for your people, but also understand that you are only one person. You can't do everything. You're human. It's okay to say no sometimes and simply take a step back to focus on the opportunities God has put right in front of you. Your yes means nothing if you never say no.

13. Live in the now.

As a 6 on the Enneagram, I often find myself spending a lot of time imagining the worst possible scenario. Although it's okay to be prepared, the Bible tells us not to worry because God is ultimately in control. PRAYER is the best remedy for worry and leads us to a posture of faith.

13. God can turn around any situation and use it for good.

No matter how far gone you feel, all you have to do is turn in God's direction to feel His presence. God will never leave you, nor forsake you. I believe that when we get to Heaven, we'll see that no trial we could face on Earth will ever be too hard for God to redeem. God is the only one who can turn our darkest of times into our greatest testimonies.

14. Everything good in life takes work.

We often feel jealous of others and claim to want what they have. However, what social media doesn't show is the hours of study and sacrifice that person had to put in to earn that accomplishment, the late nights of hard conversations that couple has had to have a healthy relationship, the difficult process of applying for colleges and scholarships, or the work that has to be put in to have a healthy balance with food and exercise. Don't be jealous; be thankful for the life you have and work to be your best self every single day.

15. Be proud of who you are.

As a twin, I sometimes really struggle with this one. However, I know God made us both for a reason. We both have our own special gifts to offer the world, and so do you!!!!

16. Stop assuming the worst.

The truth is, life is full of ups and downs. With God, good things are always on the horizon! Expect good things to happen!!

17. It's okay for things to change.

Change is HARD. I absolutely hate big life changes because I feel like it takes me forever to get comfortable in a new routine and new surroundings. However, because I am aware of this characteristic of mine, I can tackle new challenges in life more equipped and reliant on God. Thank goodness He never changes!!

18. Don't wait for things to be perfect to be happy.

I'm sure you know this, but we live on this planet called Earth, and it's far from Heaven. Since Adam and Eve, nothing has even been perfect. That being said, our best option is to be good stewards of the resources and opportunities God provides us while looking forward to Heaven when we get to meet our King!

19. Every day on this earth is a gift!

Wake up and thank God for the gift of a new day. Each day is truly a miracle. Your beating heart, working lungs, and intelligent brain are all wonderful workings of your great God, so enjoy the day as much as you can!

God has taught me so much in the past 19 years, and I'm so thankful for where He has me right now. Cheers to chapter 19!!

Love,

Breanna