Goodbye Jordan Year

23. . . . I cannot thank you enough. You taught me a lot, you pushed me and I cannot wait to see what 24 brings.

Here are 5 affirmations I learned as a 23-year-old:

1. I am capable. For the longest time, I would say that I wanted to do something passively and never commit. Committing to your goals, and achieving something that you didn't have to do is extremely rewarding. Completing my first 5k, doing the Rugged Maniac and Warrior Dash, and relearning how to top-spin jump serve were once unthinkable. 

I cannot wait to set more goals, and feel even more like Wonder Woman. 

2. I am brave. I would not wish the experience I had of quitting my steady job and moving back home on anyone. But it taught me a lesson that I couldn't have learned through a classroom or reading a book. I put myself first, and that was incredible. 

3. I am strong. Physically, I am stronger now than I was last year, but I have become more emotionally strong. I can see the bright side in rejection. I can stay tough through times that seem uncertain. And being strong has been worth it. 

4. I am growing. Growing up, I had a completely different idea of the person that I would be at 24-years-old than the person I have become today. I guess I figured that I would already "be an adult" and know all there is to know about being a grown up. Thankfully, I was wrong. I couldn't imagine a life where I wouldn't be continuing to learn and grow. I have made huge mistakes, and put my foot in my mouth. And because of those humbling experiences, I had important conversations and felt human. The life I imagined as a child would have been boring. Growing and learning make life interesting. 

5. I am a work-in-progress. The "after" pictures I have used in my journey will soon be my "before" pictures. The accomplishments I have today will soon be stepping stones to where I am meant to be. 

In my 23rd year, I worked a lot to improve myself and stay in more while I looked inward. For my 24th year, I have decided my mantra is adventure is out there. This weekend, I went on many walks and realized that I find energy in discovering new places and meeting new people. I am looking forward to getting to know myself more and taking the time to explore more. 

But in the meantime, I will enjoy my last few days as a 23-year-old.