Things I Learned At 25.

January 5, 2025

And so, the new year has come! New year means new goals, new beginnings and new dreams. I’ve never really liked the “new year new me” term. I just feel like my past has helped me become who I am today, mistakes and all I have learned from them. The other day I heard on a podcast the term “new year, a better me” and I fell in love with the meaning of it and decided that I would try to live up to that “motto”. At the end of the day aren’t we trying to become a better version of ourselves? On December 31st I turned 26, what’s more perfect then celebrating the new year with a new age? Here are a few things I learned at 25…

Make Yourself a Priority

My husband taught me that the best thing you can do for someone you love is to take care of yourself first, then everyone else around you. I’m not saying I am good at this. I always tend to take care of myself last. I used to think that putting myself first was selfish and in reality, taking care of yourself first is the best way you can help those around you because you’ll have more to offer without letting go of yourself along the way. My goal is to keep working on this throughout this year to the point where I won’t feel guilty to do what is best for me so I can be best for those around me.

Tomorrow is Not Promised

2024 threw a lot of curveballs at my husband and I. In November of 2024 we lost our dog, Khloe. I always thought that Khloe would have been with us through our first home and first child like she was there the first year we got married. After unexpectedly having to put her down I learned to say I love you more, appreciate who is still with us (people and pets) because you never think that the last time is the last time. You think there will be more. You think you have forever, but you actually don’t.

Grief and Gratitude

The summer of 2024 we found out my father in law was diagnosed with cancer and passed away 3 months later. This is where I learned that death is real and it terrified me. You can overcome the fear of dying by living life to the fullest. Sadly, for many it takes a life to learn how to live. As much as I miss him and wish he was still with us, I learned to have gratitude for all the moments I had with my father in law and everything he showed me.

“The highest tribute to the dead is not grief, but gratitude.”- Thornton Wilder

Peace over Chaos

The last and most FAVORITE thing I learned before turning 26. I always told myself that I thrive through chaos, but after experiencing a little bit of simplicity and peace I will choose that over anything. Jake and I were honeymooning in Miami Florida and stayed for a night in Naples. Naples was our favorite part about our honeymoon. We did the simplest things and stayed with the most pure hearted family. She taught me that it’s not about the things in a home it’s about the people. Simplicity is key. Then I realized how happy I was while we were on our honeymoon. It wasn’t because of where we were on vacation (although the view and weather was amazing) it was because it was a time where nothing else mattered other than spending time as husband and wife. Everything else could wait. Coming back from vacation and going into the new year I want to keep reminding myself as we begin new adventures together that at the end of the day it is peace over pleasure. It’s not about the nicest house, nicest cars etc. It’s about the simplest things that make us the happiest. I will try to find peace in the chaos.