My Last Month Being 22

It's August 28th. On September 27th, I turn 23.

Getting older has honestly been bittersweet for me; every year, around my birthday, I feel inspired to awe at the growth and development that took place over the previous one. The friendships that grew, the outdoor adventures I got to go on, the goals I accomplished relating to physical, work, and personal goals, they all warm my heart as I reflect. Part of the reason I have the tendency to approach a new year like this is, I believe, because these years of my life are so extraordinary in terms of growth. Your 20s are such a prime time for learning and exploration, and this results in personal development even when you may be unaware of it's happenings. So, I'd like to share with you a bit of what my 22nd year looked like...

WHAT I DID:

• Started this blog!! :)

• Travelled to Puerto Rico with my college roommates (4 other girls) and explored all the beauty it had to offer.

• Moved into my first apartment post-graduation!

• Gave some love and care for a couple weeks to a cute little kitty named Fozzie for a friend.

• Saw Coldplay in concert at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI with a group of college friends!

• Ran two 10ks, one by myself in under an hour (which I was so proud of myself for given that it was my first race ever) and the second with my cousin at the stunning Devil's Lake in Wisconsin.

• GRADUATED. With my Bachelor's Degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a focus area in Food Systems as well as a minor in Photography.

• Went home to celebrate a dear friend of mine's 21st birthday in our hometown. Such a sweet weekend. <3

• made so many pancakes.

WHAT I LEARNED:

• Through my job working at a nonprofit, I've gained a deeper understanding in the connection between health and happiness. Happiness in my eyes includes success, and I would argue that most people value education and/or learning in general and its role in providing those steps forward to success. That can't be reached without good health, and that may seem like common sense but still so many of our fellow Americans don't have access to reaching good health. Oftentimes, this is through the food they have accessible to them; very frequently, this is a lack of nutritious food or calories altogether. How can we expect children to learn and dream and run and chase goals and adventures if their only focus is on getting something in their belly? It's not fair to them, and it isn't benefitting the future of our societies in any way, either. I feel so fortunate to be able to work at an organization that provides a way for these people to get the resources they need. The most beautiful thing is the results we see- the smiles on our members' faces when they tell us about the progress their making on this or that goal or dream.

• It's easy to focus on the negative. And it's easy to let it encompass our thoughts and feelings. But it's also easy to let the positive take over if we practice. In addition, stress doesn't help. As much as overthinking and overanalyzing may seem to be in our best interest, it isn't. For me, this relates to my health. When I've gone through sickness this past year, I often fell down a hole of feeling miserable and stressed and unable to do anything. The truth was that I let my sadness and frustration of not feeling 100% take me down completely instead of: doing what I could to feel better in that moment, understanding that I was trying my best, and finding ways to feel happy and productive in the best way I could. Now I know it isn't always as simple as that, but my point is that our days are what we make of them, and if we let all the little worries and hurt get us down, we're missing out. In fact, distracting the bad with the goodness around you is honestly so helpful. A personal example I have is calling a friend even when I'm feeling sad or sick; it lifts my spirits and alleviates the pain that I had been focusing on prior to the conversation.

WHAT I VALUE MOST RIGHT NOW:

• Time spent outside

  • Even when it's 10 degrees F in winter and the last thing I want to do is feel the cold air on my skin. Because you know what? The fresh air will feel nice, I just tend to forget. :) And my soul will thank me for the connection I gave it to Mother Nature. Being outside reminds me at least of how small my problems really are, how big the world really is. And it's a beautiful place truly; beauty affects my heart in the way that it fills it up.

• Plant-based eating

  • I've learned and continue to learn so much about this lifestyle and the more I know the more I develop a yearning for it, and not just for myself but for others, too. The benefit it has for the health of ourselves and the planet (including its ecosystems which includes the animals that make up those ecosystems) is such a wonderful opportunity we have right in front of most of us. The ability to choose foods and drinks that won't cause BTS damage is such a blessing. My goal this coming year of my life is to engage deeper in my practice of eating this way, especially with a focus on whole foods, and try to spread some awareness on it.

• Being intentional about what I'm consuming

  • This last year, I've tried to better align what I do, watch, read, and put my attention on with my values. For me, that meant: unfollowing certain pages on Instagram and following new ones that post on topics I care about, trying to say no to food and drinks that have ingredients I really don't want to be putting into my body, not consuming my phone right before bed every night, and more. And I can say, it feels good. My mind and body feel more at ease.

• Having real conversations

  • With my close friends. With family members. With coworkers. Going beyond Surface Level is refreshing and allows for more meaningful discussion where you or the other person could learn a thing or two. One of the easiest ways to learn is through conversation, so in my 22nd year, I developed a deeper gratitude for these types of talks.

That's all I have to share for today! Thank you for reading a bit about what made this year special for me. I hope it possibly inspired you to take a moment to reflect on your past chapter or year, or maybe it got you thinking about the fun moments you've gotten to experience recently, and how lucky you are to have those warm memories. :)

Talk soon!

xox, Kat