19 LESSONS FROM 2019
Updated: Feb 23, 2020
As 2019 draws to a close, I have to admit, I am kind of sad to see it go! This has been one of my favorite years to date, however, an ordinary onlooker may feel I have wasted the past 365 days. Did I enter cosmetology school? No. Did I move out of my parent’s house? No. Did I move to Utah? No. Did I go on any dates? No. Did I get married? No. To some, it may seem that little was accomplished in the year 2019, but I am here to tell those naysayers that they are WRONG. I learned so many valuable, life-altering lessons this year, ones I wouldn’t give up even for a date with my favorite German Soccer Player (that’s right y’all, I mean business).
So, to show my appreciation and gratitude to one of the best years of my life, here are:
19 LESSONS I LEARNED IN 2019
1. The Correct Way to Shampoo
My boss was not lying when she said this was an art form. Thanks to all of my guinea pigs, I think I’ve finally got it mastered!
2. I Like Yoga
2019 was the year I discovered my love of yoga. My mom begged me for years to do it with her, but I never believed it would relieve my stress as well as running. Boy, was I wrong! I now crave those quiet, peaceful, early-morning yoga sessions with Mamma Mia.
3. The Perfect Messy Bun
After years of longing, wishing, and jealousy, I have finally mastered a couple versions of my perfect messy bun. It was a long, hard battle, but it truly was one of my favorite accomplishments of this year. (and I may or may not overly rely on my messy bun, now 😉)
4. I Thrive on Routine
Honestly, I am kind of shocked that it took me twenty-four years to discover this one. This year I have been able to implement really good scripture study, exercising, and diet routines, and I definitely credit them for the success of 2019. A boring lesson, but one of my most cherished ones.
5. My Family is Pretty Cool
My family and I had lots of opportunities to bind this year, and those moments helped me to realize how cool they really are. They constantly make me laugh, they aren’t afraid to tell it like it is, they are always there, and most of them have finally accepted my perpetual singlehood. My family have seriously become my best friends, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
6. There Is Always Tomorrow
My mom constantly tried to teach me this as a child, but my perfectionistic tendencies would not have it.
“You have accomplish everything on your to do list for today”
“You have to do everything perfect the first time”
“Failure is a sign of weakness”
This year, I have learned that all of the above-mentioned statements are false. We always have tomorrow to try again, and that has brought me so much peace of mind.
7. It Doesn’t Matter What Others Think
This is a lesson I fear I will constantly be relearning, but one I achieved some progress in during 2019. Instead of focusing on my perception of other’s opinions, or the amazing successes of my peers, but instead on my own incredible accomplishments, everything changed. So, what if other’s think I am a failure? I know, and my Heavenly Father knows, that in my personal journey, I am doing just fine.
8. Service Makes Me Happy
I had lots of opportunities to serve this year, and each one followed a similar pattern. I would start out feeling stressed and overwhelmed, but by theme I was always surprsied by feelings of peace and happiness. Service is an anchor in this crazy world. Service helps us to step outside of ourselves and focus on others, which ironically, helps us to gain more clarity in our own lives.
9. I Love Reading
I blame college for having to relearn this lesson. I mean, how could reading page after page on chemical reactions not make you shy to reading. This year I was able to discover some incredible authors, who helped me to rediscover my love of reading, and for that, I am forever indebted to them.
10. I Can Do Gross Things
I have always been kind of squeamish when it comes to bugs, dirt, and nastiness. However, entering the work force taught me that gross things have to be done, and sometimes you are the only one available to do it. So, I am proud to say that I can now take hair out of a drain, pick up dog poop, kill bugs, stick my hand in the toilet, and clean out a garbage disposal, all on my own. See, so many accomplishments this yea!
11. Heavenly Father Hears and Answers Our Prayers
I am amazed every time I relearn this lesson. This year, the Creator-Of-All heard my pleas when I had a bad day, felt overwhelmed, or begged for Hershey Sue to make a full recovery. Heavenly Father constantly shows me that He hears me, He loves me, and He wants to help me in His perfect way. I have truly cherished our conversations this year, and am so grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow my relationship with Him.
12. I Am So Loved
I have felt such an immense, outpouring of love this year. Career advice, forgiveness, an amazing audience, and even an incredible painting from an aspiring artist are just some of the many gifts I have received. I am so humbled by the amount of undeserving love around me. You guys are awesome!
13. Positive Mindset is a Thing
I’d always thought the whole mind over matter, your attitude can change everything was a bunch of bologna. Pretending to be happy could never change the facts of a situation! However, this year I realized that it is not about pretending everything is fine, but about focusing on your blessings, and actively choosing not to wallow. What a game changer. I prayed long and hard to gain these habits, and seeing how happy they have made me, I hope to become a pro at them in 2020!
14. The Leaders of Our Church Are Connected to Heaven
When they announced the many changes in structure and curriculum that would occur during 2019, I was not very supportive, because I despise change. After no success dragging my feet, and some prompting from the Lord, I finally dove into the changes full force, and was amazed at the results. The leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are truly doing the Lord’s work upon the earth today. When they ask us to do something, it is just as if He were asking us himself.
15. I Can Be Brave
2019 was a year where I learned to step out of my comfort zone. I sent my blogs out to other sites, I posted about my love of hair, I even willingly shared my thoughts in Sunday School! The end result of being brave was never as bad as the image I had created in my head, it was usually kind of fun! However, I am still terrified to see the new ways I will have to be brave in 2020.
16. I Am Not Patient
If I Make a “What I Learned This Year” list every year, this lesson will always be there. There were so many times this year where I was quick to anger, and slow to be kind, all because of my impatience. However, instead of looking at that as a failure that can never be changed, I am going to implement Lesson 6 of this year, and try again tomorrow.
17. Defeating Challenges is So Impowering
2019 actually started out pretty rocky, as I faced a challenge I felt I would never be able to overcome. However, with the Lord’s help, I was able to conquer that mountain, and let me tell you, it felt so good! 365ish days later, I am so grateful for that challenge. It taught me I can do hard things, made me more compassionate, and helped me to create important habits for the future. Best part? I did it, and no one can ever take that feeling away from me.
18. The Lord Knows Best
This year I learned that He truly does know best. After receiving a “no” answer this year, I was pretty heartbroken and distraught. However, I decided to trust in Him instead of turn from Him, and I am so grateful I did. He showed me that what I believed I wanted, was really not anything I would ever want. He knows me so well and loves me so much, that I know I can always trust Him. He will lead me to he happiest places I could possibly imagine.
19. Time Goes By Too Fast
This year, as I chose to enjoy the now instead of pining for the future, I realized just how fast time flies. I have so many good memories from this year, and I cannot believe how quickly they came and went. I know this next year will come with many more wonderful memories, but I hope they pass by just a little bit slower.
See, I told you 2019 was not a waste! I am so grateful for all of the important lessons I learned this year, and although I am sad to say goodbye, I cannot wait to see what 2020 has in store for me. I hope you all have a wonderful year!