Hello Twenty-Two

Twenty-one was a big year for me as far as personal growth goes. There were a lot of obstacles that came in my path. I haven't overcome all of them but I'm working on it. I think that I'm the happiest I've been in my life. 

Twenty-one was a lifeboat for me. I felt like I was drowning and twenty-one saved me. I learned so much. I'd like to share some things I learned. So here are twenty-one things I learned while being twenty-one.

1. Sex is not passive, it is very powerful.

2. Family is the most important thing, always. 

3. You are never too old to dance in the rain.

4. If you let people walk over you, they will.

5. Being a woman doesn't mean you can't use power tools.

6. Loving yourself first is most important.

7. Sing loud and sing proud.

8. Never let anyone make you small.

9. Compromise makes everyone happier in the long run.

10. Feeling hurt is better than not feeling at all.

11. A little bit of dark chocolate helps a migraine.

12. Hug more.

13. There is time; don't rush to get where you want to be, trust the process.

14. You will break down and you will build yourself back up.

15. Asking for help is not weak.

16. Crying is not weak.

17. Some people are temporary in your life and that is okay.

18. Being happy is a choice.

19. Take time to pamper yourself; look good, feel good.

20. Never apologize for feeling what you feel and never let anyone invalidate your feelings.

21. Laughing always helps.

I can't wait to see what twenty-two has to offer.

22.

"I don't know about you but I'm feeling twenty-two"- Taylor Swift

I really thought by twenty-two I'd have my shit together, ya know?

When I took the mandatory civic/career class in tenth grade, our teacher made us do this silly exercise of writing a letter to our future, twenty-two year old selves. The idea behind it is that if we entered a four year university undergraduate, by twenty-two we should be graduating. 

You best believe I kept this silly letter. 

Here we go.

"Dear future Katelyn,

Twenty two will be a big year for you. Graduating with your undergrad in psych from Algoma will be HUGE! Congrats future me. After graduation I'm sure *insert douchey ex-bfs name here* will be planning to propose. Don't freak out, just say yes. 

The two of you will move to Ottawa together while you do your masters of psych. Of course Courtney will be only 3 hours away in Toronto studying musical theatre which will be perfect for weekend visits! 

Twenty-two will bring you new adventures with old people- the best combination for happiness and love! You'll do great, just be fearless.

Xo, Katelyn at 16

Ps. Don't ever get fat, stay healthy."

1. Douchey ex-bf and I broke up before I even graduated high school.

2. Courtney developed brain cancer and passed away in June of 2013. 

3. I didn't graduate my undergrad.

4. I am no where close to where I wanted to be.

It would be so easy for me to look at that letter and feel like my life is a joke. I have truly accomplished nothing that I hoped to. 

Turns out God had a better plan for me than I had for myself. 

At the moment, I am on my third (and hopefully final) college program. I really love the business program and I can certainly foresee a career for myself in the business world. 

I already lived in Ottawa and it was an amazing and terrifying and beautiful experience. I met some people in Ottawa that I'm sure will be a fixture in my life long into the future. The memories I made in Ottawa are some of my favourite. I loved learning photography, but more so I loved learning that I can do anything on my own. I can budget, cook, clean, grocery shop, pay bills, fix leaky taps, change light bulbs... I can live on my own. Knowing that you don't need anyone lets you cherish the people in your life so much more. Once you learn that you don't need anyone, you realize that the people in your life are there because you want them.

Obviously my ex and I aren't together, but I have a man who loves me. He is kind and gentle and handsome (and way too good for me). It's still new- only a few months -but it's good. He is good.

I miss Courtney every single day.

My life isn't what I wanted but it's even better. I am happy. Really, truly, and honestly happy. I'm looking forward to this next year. Bring it on twenty-two!

All New to Me | Drugstore Haul

"Happiness is new cosmetics...Many of them."

Okay, so not 100% true in the title because I have used these three products for years. They're ones I repurchase every time I run out of them without fail. I would highly recommend all these products to anyone!  

I needed a new eyeliner since my NYX liquid eyeliner pen just ran out. I didn't absolutely love the NYX liner so trying something new seems like a good idea. I picked up both these e.l.f. liners and plan to compare them to (hopefully) find a new go-to. I've been really loving e.l.f. as a brand lately so I have a good feeling about these liquid liners! 

Of course I've tried the Bioré nose strips before and they work amazingly! I've never tried the face strips though. I'm hoping they hope to reduce the whiteheads and blackheads I have on my chin and forehead. 

Everyone seems to rave about Micellar waters lately so I thought I'd give it a go. I've been using (and loving) a few Garnier skin products lately which made the Garnier brand Micellar water my first choice. 

I'm excited to try all the new products I've picked up! I'll post again in a few weeks with an update on all the products! If you have any more product recommendations please do let me know.