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!

Turning Twenty-One | Personal + Review

I mentioned in my last post, 20 things I learned being 20, that my birthday just passed! With a birthday comes a party. I didn't do anything big- just a get together with the family. It was a really lovely time. 

 My cousin and his girlfriend invited me snow machining with them for the day before my family came around for dinner. We went for about four hours through the bush trails, stopping for lunch at this super cool snow machining hot spot. They serve amazing pub food and have every beer you could think of!

To have a party you obviously have to invite people! I came by Paperless Post earlier in the month and I knew I wanted to choose from the amazing selection of birthday invitations that they have to offer!

 Paperless Post has plenty of free templates to choose from. You then go in and customize the details of the party. You're able to choose your text, layout, etc. and totally make it your own!

Once you've designed your invitation the way you like it, all that's left is to invite people! The invitation goes directly to their e-mail inbox. This is so perfect! No paper waste and no chance of the invitation getting lost!

 The Paperless Post invitation comes to your inbox in a cute envelope. Once you click on it there is an animated opening of the envelope and removing of the invitation. It's such a cute way to receive an invitation! And the best part? When you receive the invitation you can automatically add it to your Google, Outlook, iCal, or Yahoo calendar!

My birthday was an absolutely lovely time surrounded by the people I love and all the things I love! My cakes were cinnamon sugar cakes with vanilla-cinnamon buttercream. All homemade of course by yours truly! I'm sure it's weird to some people that I made my own birthday cakes but I insisted as I LOVE to bake but don't get the opportunity now that I don't have an oven to use. 

I had the perfect birthday in my opinion- on the trails doing what I love, then in my home with the people I love. How would you spend your perfect birthday? Please do let me know in a comment- I'd love to know!

Thanks for reading & check back to see what KatieDidd, xo