22 things I learned in 2016, my 21st year of life

I’m not sure how to preface a post such as this. Let’s face it: The more time we spend on earth, the more we realize we don’t really know. Enjoy this sporadic list of things I didn’t know/know very well until this past year. I’m turning 22 in a few weeks, so I kept the list to 22 things. Enjoy! And comment below if you can relate or have wisdom to share.

You can’t put foil in the microwave.
You can choose to have joy even when life isn’t pure bliss. That doesn’t mean you are are okay with it.
It is possible to truly love a body that isn’t what society (or the running world) deems perfect.
When you “grow up,” your siblings become an incredible nuisance, your best friends or both 🙂
If you shut friends out when you are hurting, it denies you both one of the most beautiful aspects of friendship: Bonding through adversity.
You will rarely regret spending a few hours to read a book. You will, on the other hand, regret spending a few hours, watching mindless television on Netflix.
To be twenty-one and never have been kissed is not something to be embarrassed about. It is something my future husband will highly value.
Going off #7: I don’t need to find that dude! Seriously, I obsessed over that for so long. It was so distracting and anxiety provoking. Instead, I can make the decision to redirect my heart. I can cling to the Lord and enjoy this season of my life!
Going off #8: The aforementioned statement is not always easy. Actually, it can be really hard. And that’s okay. That’s human.
When running is stripped away: I do not crumble. This was such a difficult year for me with injuries, but each one drew me nearer to the Lord, further breaking the tie between running and my worth. With every injury, I found greater peace and contentment.
I am slightly allergic to cats.
I actually don’t hate cats. But I’ll never get one.
(I learned) How to change spark-plugs in a car.
Jennifer Aniston and Sandra Bullock are not the same person. That sounds incredibly stupid to say, but I had no clue.
I learned that an orange is called an orange because it’s orange. It makes sense now, but I never connected the two.
Being a semi-adult is stressful and expensive. But Jesus always provides.
Tracking the prophetical words/pictures the Lord gives, is a fantastic way to see His faithfulness over time. I started a Prophetical Journal this year! Woo!
You can always find a gift on Amazon.com. You might waste three hours looking for the perfect one, but it’s there.
(I learned) How to make my mom’s amazing vegetable soup! Now I’m kinda-sorta a cook.
Brokenness is not to be despised, but cherished. Jesus was broken for us, and through His brokenness came the redemption of humanity.
Going out to eat with friends is fun. After years of anorexia, it is still a bit scary, but it gets easier and more enjoyable every time. And it’s absolutely worth it.
The Lord has me right where I need to be.