everything I knew about life at 21
TLDR: feeling 22 and reflective
In her memoir Everything I Know About Love, Dolly Alderton begins each chapter with a list of things she understood about love at that stage of her life. I find this particularly beautiful because, while our understanding of love and age evolves with age and experience, those insights remain true to the moments they represent.
On December 7, I turned 22. I may not know everything about life or love (yet). But I’ve learned a few things along the way.
So…21 things I’ve learned about life at 21:
Just ask.
Show kindness always. (Karma)
Friendships even best friendships ebb and flow and that’s ok.
There is nothing more powerful than being yourself.
To be yourself you have to take the time to know yourself.
Being on time is a fundamental show of respect.
First dates should be activities. Then you’ll never waste your time.
Freedom is being disliked by other people.
Surround yourself with people who ride for you.
Bring a digital camera to any event worth remembering.
Loving someone is celebrating their accomplishments as if they’re your own.
Honesty is a gift. Hold it for those who really matter.
Few things in life beat persistence.
The best opportunities are the ones you create.
You can have everything you want. Just not all at once.
Every event is better with a party bus.
Planning and prioritizing solves 90% of problems.
Dress to impress. You never know who you will run into.
Leave the jacket at home. You’ll probably lose it.
Above rule does not apply to flights. Airplanes are always cold.
Yes and.
What will 22 bring? Taylor Swift seems to think it will be “happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time.” We’ll let next year’s Substack test that theory.
For now, it’s the holidays—let’s keep it short and sweet.
Happy New Year! 🎉
—DG