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.

50. Lessons Learned This Year | 52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge

This year has been so jam packed with change and new adventures. I really believe that I've grown up immensely with in the past year, from moving away to finding my passion in school and everything in between. I have learned some very valuable lessons within the past 50 weeks that I want to share with you all today.

1. Shame is a wasted emotion: at the end of the day feeling ashamed of yourself or what you love or anything else is such a waste. Be apologetically and authentically yourself always. People will judge no matter what but if you keep on doing what you love you take away their power. 

2. You will break down and you will build yourself back up: I've always been one to hold back my emotions and act as though I've got it all together when in reality I'm falling apart. I've learned that it's okay to call your mom in tears sometimes and it's okay to fall apart. The important thing is that you always put yourself back together. Don't stay down too long.

3. Family is always number one: whomever you consider your family, blood or otherwise, are the people that should always be your top priority. It's important to keep close ties with your family. I've learned the importance of having a great bond with family members.

4. Self love is never selfish: don't let anyone tell you that you are conceited or selfish for loving who you are. You are the most important person you will ever love.

5. Don't let people change you: it's easy to fall into the trap of social cliques. You become who you surround yourself with. Have enough faith in who you are and know every inch of yourself so you can remain steadfast to who you are. Always.

I hope you enjoyed reading through the lessons that I've learned this year. I feel like they are all lessons that everyone needs to learn and eventually do learn. They sound cliche, but that's because they're true!

If there are any valuable lessons you've learned please do share them in a comment!

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

Flashbacks of February | Goals & Favourites

Favourites

1. Netflix

I'm so late to the party here. I just got Netflix this month. I've been loving the series that Netflix has to offer as well as the wide selection of movies! It's so convenient and really affordable. Love it. 

2. Prison Break

One of the series I've been watching on Netflix is Prison Break... like binge watching haha. I just love this show! Basically it's about this guy Michael who's brother was wrongfully convicted of murder and is on death row for it. Michael gets himself put into jail to try and break his brother out. I'm almost finished season one already! It's so gripping; every episode leaves you needing to watch the next.

3. Pillow Talk by Zayn

When I first listened to and watched the video for this song I was not a fan. Like at all. I gave it another listen just for good measure (because I mean, it's Zayn haha) and I loved it! I find that whenever I listen to the song whilst watching the video I hate it. The video is awful. But I have been obsessed with this song!

4. Flannel/Plaid Shirts

I'm a country girl through and through so I think my love for plaid is in my DNA. I think they're so easy to wear. They go with any colour of jeans, they can be buttoned up or open over another shirt, tied around your waist etc. I think they're definitely making come back for sure.

5. Essie's Devil's Advocate

I really like the look of dark nails but I'm not a fan of going for a straight black. This nail polish is an extremely dark purple and looks stunning!

6. Red Pepper Flakes

Love me a bit of heat in my food! These red pepper flakes are so convenient- just shake them on to eggs, rice, meat, veggies, etc- and kick up any meal!

7. Folgers Instant Coffee

I know what you're thinking... GROSS! But hear me out. I don't have time to wait for coffee to percolate in the morning, but coffee is a must for me. I went on the hunt for a good instant coffee and came up with Folgers as a winner. It honestly tastes like brewed coffee! No comparison to French Press or anything, but hey, it'll do.

8. Old Churches

We were given an assignment to photograph interior architecture for our portfolio which struck this new love of mine. I really like the way old churches look and the sort of eery vibe they possess. 

9. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

I can't put this book down. I'm not one for staying up late but there have been quite a few nights that I've been up past midnight reading this novel. It's such an honest and raw book which I really love. I'm about three quarters finished- I'm at that stage where I want to keep reading but I don't at the same time because I don't want the book to end!

Reviewing My February Goals

1. Strengthen my faith: Question my beliefs and ask myself why

I definitely did this throughout February. I think I have really compounded what I believe and what I don't believe. I've focused a lot on the why this past month- why do I believe what I believe? I think I've made so much progress.

2. Love my body: Make time for yoga 3+ times per week

I failed. I did yoga maybe once per week and even that was hard to squeeze in. The teaches of my program revealed that February is the busiest and hardest month in the entirety of my program. I felt it.

3. Explore new creative mediums: Paint something abstract

Not so abstract, but I felt the inspiration and I went with it. I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

4. Find more joy: Stop hiding my true self from others

My friendships have grown so much from my honesty this month. I feel so much closer to the friends I have here and I'm so thankful that they are able to accept me for who I am instead of who I was trying to be.

5. Have an open heart: Accept and love myself

Coming from a small town filled with small minded people, I spent a lot of my life pretending to want the things that I thought I should want. By revealing my true self and receiving nothing but positivity I have found a lot of comfort in who I am. Accepting myself and what I want from life has allowed me to make the decision to complete the second year of my photography studies at the college back home. Ottawa is amazing but I know that my heart lies back home, that's where I belong and I'm very much looking forward to moving back in April.

Setting my March Goals

1. Strengthen my faith: explore spirituality

2. Love my body: don't weigh myself all month

3. Explore new creative mediums: make a sculpture with clay

4. Find more joy: wake up and immediately smile

5. Have an open heart: write mom a thank you letter

I hope you all had a wonderful February and I wish you all well for March! If you're in college or uni... 6 more weeks baby!! :D What have you been loving through February? Do let me know in a comment! Also, always looking for TV series and book suggestions!

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

20 Things I Learned Being 20 | Personal

So I turned twenty one two days ago. I'm officially legal drinking age across the entire globe... every birthday after this now is just aging haha. I had such a wonderful birthday! Relaxing, surrounded by the people I love. Yesterday my cousin invited me to go snow machining with him and his girlfriend and her dad on the trails around our city. During the four hours we were out sledding I had some time to really think and reflect on what being twenty taught me. I grew up a lot this past year with moving away and living on my own. I put together a list of the best lessons I've learned this past year; twenty things I learned whilst being twenty.

1. The healthy option is always the better option

2. You can never go wrong by humbling yourself

3. Overdressed isn't a real thing

4. Cooking isn't just a life skill

5. Loving yourself is more important than others loving you

6. Family is number one

7. Nothing beats speaking face to face

8. It's okay to break down

9. Self love is not selfish

10. Free is fabulous

11. Taking time for things you love is necessary

12. Mental health is everything

13. Planning your future isn't crazy

14. There is no such thing as "cool"

15. Live life with an open heart

16. People can surprise you if you let them

17. Be patient and stay the course

18. Your faith will be tested; remain steadfast in your beliefs

19. When you compare yourself to others you always lose

20. Life is beautiful

I'm so grateful to have learned these lessons over this year. I'm excited to see what this next year has in store for me! What is the greatest lesson you've ever learned? Please do let me know in a comment!

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