Reminiscing...

Novella

So, I am turning 21 this weekend, coming of age etc., and I've just been thinking lately about what I've done in the last 21 years to be proud of, what have been the best moments in my life, that kind of thing.

My grandad made me the most beautiful book. He began when I was born and has been working on it since. It has the very first photograph ever taken of me in it, a tiny pair of white socks I wore when I was one day old, my earliest attempts at writing... I could not have hoped for a better present.

When I look at my life now, I'm proud that I never settled for second best. I'm happy that I listen to my heart over my head. Dropping out of college caused a lot of upset, mainly with my parents but I'm glad I'm not now stuck with a degree I never really wanted, and just following what always seemed like an impossible dream, but may actually someday be a reality.

So, if you were to look back on your life, what are the moments that you'll always remember? What makes you proud? What's in your past but makes up a big part of who you are today?

Pyr0

That is a heart melting present right there !

It's something I never really thought about to be honest. When I think back now (bit rushed but how and ever) I can't really think of any standout situations or decisions I've made that have stood out to define my life up to this point.

One I can think of actually, making up with my now best mate years back. We didn't talk to each other over a girl we both went out with, it's a stupid thing to fight over thinking back, a total "What the **** were we thinking ?" but at the time it was the biggest problem IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE, as is always the case. Will never regret that decision !

Doing TY was a good one, great year in school ! Don't regret that at all.

Relationships are what define parts of my life to date if I'm to be honest about it. I've had 3 major relationships in my life, all three have shaped me as a person in different ways. I look back and think how I was and how I came out of them, each and everytime seeing myself now as an improvement to my previous self.

It can only go from there, then I'll be a perfect human being, flawless ! :pac:

Fago!

I'm happy that I listen to my heart over my head.

This is the thing I'm most proudest of. ^^^

What I'll always remember is my 1st day of college because I met a real good mate there. If I'd have never gone, I wouldn't be pursuing my dream career and I'd be in a boring 9-5 lacky desk job and would eventually HATE my life.

I'll always remember the day I signed up to this website, because I've met some great friends here and basically kept my sanity.

Fago's Sister wrote:

Y'know what mad? You can find anything 10 times funnier than anyone else possibly could, and you're never in a bad mood! Why can't I be like that!?

I'm proud of what people say about me, that I can make light of anything, and 99% of the time I'm upbeat and optimistic. ^^^






P.S. Happy Birthday Novella

princess-lala

I was the very same as you the week of my 21st

Im now 25 and have achieved alot with my life, I have never once settled for second best and never will. Im proud of myself for that.

Im not one for regrets but there are a couple of personal regrets I have over the last three years.

Three years ago I had a car crash I should have been killed in but oh no Im still here Thank god, That really made me look at my life and what I had achieved in 22 years.

I had always dreamed of opening a salon for my 40th but in 08 my parents helped me make that dream a reality 17 years earlier than expected

My grandad is one of the main men in my life along with my dad obviously but hes always there to put a smile on my face and give me advice

Nervous Wreck

Reminiscing is one thing we get infinitely better at with age.

When I was in 4th year, we had sailing every monday. One day in the locker room afterward, I was really mean to a guy in my class. I just ripped on him for no reason at all with unprompted sarcastic remarks and pretty much made a show of him in front of the whole class. He laughed along with everyone else but it wasn't funny. It was horrible. I reckon it was the worst thing I've ever done in my life. Treating someone like that is disgusting. I've learned my lesson but I'll never forget it and I feel like a horrible person every time it comes to mind. I hope he never thinks about it. I hope it doesn't even remain in his memory. But I also hope he thinks I'm a jerk. Bleugh.

rannerap

i think everyone starts reminiscing around their 21st:D around the time of mine i felt i hadnt achieved much,still feel like that slightly,but this year things have come together a bit more!im finally getting somewhere

banshee_bones

Congratulations Novella 21 is really an age where you start thinking about where you are how far you have come and how far you have yet to go.

Nothing stands out but I have had things happen in the course of my short life that have definitely shaped the way I think, the way I act and the way I see the world.

I agree with another poster here about the relationships shaping you but I like to think its my friends moreso. My friends play such a monumental role in my life mostly because I don't have siblings and I am not the closest with my family.
My friends are the family i have chosen for myself. My friends are definitely the ones who motivate me to do great things, to make sure I follow my path and to keep the end goal in sight. Not only do they motivate me they inspire me , inspire me to be a better person , a more laid back person, to be a better academic and to take all opportunities given to me.

From my friends, I have so much more to learn.

wha

Happy Birthday! I'm turning 21 next week too, and finishing college forever at the exact same time. It's all very scary and also very exciting. It's strange to think that this summer it's not "summer holidays" really.... it's just life!
My mother told about her 21st last week and how she was going out with my dad at the time (they're still together). That's a weird though. I can't imagine being with someone now and they're the last person I'm ever with.

Aridstarling

Happy birthday Novella.

I'm about a yeat younger than you but I guess its a similar enough situation. I've recently had reason to reevaluate and look at myself and I guess what I've been most proud of over the last while is, firstly, getting to know my grandparents. Really getting to know them as people and learning about their past and their families. I know I'd be devastated if I had lost them without knowing any of what I know now, and there's a lot more to find out!

Secondly, I guess I'm proud of letting heart lead head. Its not something I've ever been overly comfortable doing, I think too much, but in the last while, in an attempt to save a relationship and in its aftermath, I've tried to do what felt right, use my instinct a little more. That kind of relates back to the beginning of aforementioned relationship, it was a very odd one at the start but we made it work. That initial taking a chance, pursuing a great feeling, led to over two year of immense happiness and love and defines who I am today, at the other end of it.

rannerap

wha wrote: »

Happy Birthday! I'm turning 21 next week too, and finishing college forever at the exact same time. It's all very scary and also very exciting. It's strange to think that this summer it's not "summer holidays" really.... it's just life!
My mother told about her 21st last week and how she was going out with my dad at the time (they're still together). That's a weird though. I can't imagine being with someone now and they're the last person I'm ever with.

my mam was freaking me out last week about how she was with my dad and had a house and all at my age,i cant really imagine being with the person im going to be with forever at this moment either

MJOR

A big Happy Birthday!

I think that every single day shapes us someway, for me I am glad that I have always been independent. I have for all my 31 years kept that. I am now a married woman and when I was your age I swore I was never falling in love or getting married....... but I think I have softened out with age.

I lost my mother at your age and my dad a few years later and that was pretty monumental in shaping me for who I am today, it had made me the woman I am today for sure.

Falling in love for the first time at 28... wow that changed me forever it made me see a softer side that I really never thought I had.....

somebody very close to me was recently diagnosed with depression that has totally changed my whole life......I never ever thought about depression, if that makes sense... I now understand way more and am more empathetic to the situation. It knocked me for six.


I had the same feelings as you last year when i hit 30.........:D

I am a late starter!