Wow, a whole new decade gone by! Reflecting on this one has been a completely new experience for me, since it’s the first one that I feel like I was old enough to remember and look back on as a whole.
I was a junior in high school when the 2010s began–16 years old for only another month. You’d think ages of 16 to 26 would be some of the best times of your life, but if I’m being honest, I spent a lot of time in unhappiness and dissatisfaction. I didn’t often feel like I was being my best self and it certainly wasn’t my prime, but I still had some pretty great moments sprinkled in over the years nonetheless.
IN THE PAST DECADE, I…
Took my first international trip. This lit a fire in me to travel as often and see as much as I can in this life.
Left a piece of my heart in Europe.
Visited a total of six new countries.
Traveled to nine other states.
Went to England with one of my best friends and visited places we talked about seeing when we were 12 years old.
Napped on a public bench in London.
Road tripped in Ireland.
Celebrated birthdays in Vegas.
Took trips with my family, took trips with my boyfriend, and took trips with friends(my first solo trip will have to wait for the next decade).
IN THE PAST DECADE, I…
Broke up with my high school boyfriend.
Got into an unhealthy relationship that lasted three years.
Got engaged to him at age 18.
Was manipulated, cheated on, drained emotionally and financially, lied to, and isolated.
Learned not to ever put up with that shit from another man again.
Learned my limits, and to always trust your intuition.
Gained a supportive, loving, hardworking, and kind partner out of the blue when I was least expecting it.
Also gained a step son <3
IN THE PAST DECADE, I…
Ended up on my own sooner than I’d anticipated.
Lived in nine different places.
Lived with my dad, with a friend, in an apartment, in a house, in a trailer, in a duplex, with my mom, in another apartment, and in a townhome.
Worked at eight different places. Only two lasted less than a year.
Worked three jobs from ages 18-24.
Felt stuck at a job.
IN THE PAST DECADE, I…
Drifted apart from people I thought would always be there.
Willingly ended friendships with others.
Kept friendships from childhood.
Lost and reunited with old friends.
Met new and wonderful people.
Found a couple of great friends who really understand me.
Became more comfortable in solitude.
IN THE PAST DECADE, I…
Graduated High School.
Went to two different colleges.Graduated with a bachelor’s degree.
Found myself on a post-school path that wasn’t what I had envisioned for myself.
Missed being in school when it was over.
IN THE PAST DECADE, I…
Reached my lowest adult weight in an unhealthy way.
Let myself go and reached my highest ever weight.
Found boxing, which kept me more motivated to get healthy.
Lost 41 pounds from that highest weight (still a work in progress).
Ran two 5Ks.
IN THE PAST DECADE, I…
Saw my favorite band live…three times.
Lost all but one of my remaining grandparents 🙁
Had a new nephew born.
Gained some new fur babies.
Bought a new car.
Colored my hair for the first time.
Learned a lot about the things that I don’t want in life, but I’m still working on figuring out the things that I do.
Got the idea for this blog.
I’m sure there were many other things that happened in these last ten years that my brain couldn’t even process while writing this post, big and small.
Life will always have its ups and downs, and while this decade seemed to have more downs, I do think it was filled with valuable learning experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my days. The scales always have their way of balancing out, so I’m excited to see what’s in store in the years to come!
I especially can’t wait to begin this new chapter working on this blog. It’s something I’ve had in my head for a couple of years now and I’m finally brave enough to take the plunge.
Many of the events in this post will likely end up with posts of their own one day, but if you’ve read anything about my last decade that you find relatable or intriguing and want to hear more about it, shoot me a comment and I’ll be sure to make it happen! <3
Happy 2020s everyone!
5/15/20 Author’s note: My, what a strange year this is actually turning out to be.
