25 things I learned during 25
as I say good-bye to chapter 25 and hello to chapter 26, here are 25 things I learned from my doozy of a past year!!
Plans don’t always work out.
As someone who loves to plan and think about the future, I learned very abruptly that plans can get flipped upside down. Last summer, I went through a whirlwind of life events within the same month, including: moving out from living with my best friend and roommate of six years (who moved to a different state), going through a breakup, and grieving the sudden death of my dog. What I thought my life was going to look like this time last year was nothing like what it looks like right now. While that summer was incredibly hard, it forced me into radical acceptance that plans change, and I have those tough times to thank for learning almost everything on this list.
A commonplace book is “a book into which notable extracts from other works are copied for personal use” (Oxford Languages).
I first heard a commonplace book described as a place where people in the 1800s would write down all the random facts they learned. I set mine up with a few broad categories, and so far I’ve loved adding excerpts from the media I consume along with my own thoughts. I include mostly quotes from books but also random facts, notable social media posts, menu entries, etc. It’s my absolute new favorite habit from this year, and I feel more intentional and thoughtful because of it.
It’s okay to not finish books.
There’s simply too many amazing books to spend time reading ones I’m not interested in!
And it’s okay to unhaul books from my TBR.
I dramatically decreased my physical TBR this year, and a big part of that was simply unhauling books I was no longer interested in reading. I often feel bad doing this at first, but removing books that I bought three years ago makes me less overwhelmed and more excited to read the books that remain.
I actually have my own style!
Thanks to an Instagram reel that gave some really great and surprisingly realistic advice on how to curate your own style, Pinterest, and Nuuly (aka the clothing rental service I won’t shut up about), I discovered a unique style for myself that I really love! I’ve had a lot of fun trying new things and gaining confidence in my fashion sense.
When you go through a breakup, your brain experiences the same chemical withdrawals as it does when detoxing from heroine.
I did not fact check this, but my therapist said it so it must be true.
The glass you’re drinking out of can be just as important as what you’re drinking.
This started as a metaphor for little joys being just as important as the big joys, and I’m not quite sure what it evolved into, but I’m gonna stick with it.
A flâneuse is an “idler, a dawdling observer usually found in cities” (Macmillan Publishers).
“… proper flâneuse, which was one of her favorite words. It was such a romantic idea, meandering through the city, taking in new sights and sounds while people-watching, solo-dining, and bookstore-browsing with abandon.” (pg. 22, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams)
Not only did I learn what a flâneuse is from Tia Williams, but I have a new favorite way to describe how I like to spend my time (especially when I travel).
The Equal Rights Amendment is not codified in the U.S. Constitution.
Only you can make it “the right time.”
I don’t know how many times I’ve said, “It’s just not the right time.” The upside to my sudden life changes was I had more time to try new things. Life picked up pace again pretty quickly, but not before I got the taste of pushing myself to try new things. Being intentional about trying new skills, hobbies, and experiences a month (like trying a new craft or sport) has been so fulfilling. I don’t know what the future will hold, so I might as well make the time now.
Espresso soda is an excellent combination.
Supply Chain Planning is a much more data based and less flow based system than Order Management.
Last summer, I transitioned departments at work to learn the company’s newest product and work on the first implementation. While the back-end technology is the same, I’ve learned a lot about a new part of the supply chain, and it’s been so rewarding to learn from and contribute to my new team!
A hybrid work model is ideal for me.
If you had asked me this time last year, I would have said I would prefer a fully remote job. Well it turns out I actually enjoy going into office when I have a wonderful and dedicated team to collaborate with in person.
I can attend social events alone and *gasp* survive!
You can only score a point when your team is serving in pickleball.
I learned this along with every other basic rule to pickleball and few techniques that have helped me become a decent beginner pickleball player (even though it’s way outside my comfort zone!).
Even when my follower count stays stagnant for a few months, the creativity and community I find through Bookstagram is so fulfilling.
The point of a hobby is not necessary to be good at it.
I’m horrible at not sticking with something new when I’m not immediately good at it. One of my resolutions this year was to spend more time doing “arts and crafts,” so I’ve tried a handful of new things so far. Watercolor painting has been one of my favorites, and I’ve really enjoyed creating something purely for me. Embracing my mistakes and knowing I’m doing it just for me, not even for the finished product, is really freeing.
South Downtown Atlanta is being built back up by Atlanta start-up investors!
At the TEDxAtlanta Conference in February, Aly Merritt said, “Atlanta is going back to Atlanta,” and it’s so cool to hear stories of community coming to life.
I can light a candle with a match without burning myself.
Freediving is “per capita, one of the deadliest sports” (Deep, James Nestor).
Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves by James Nestor is the only nonfiction book I finished in the past year. I learned how deadly freediving can be as a sport but also how valuable it can be for certain cultures, individual spirituality, and scientific research. I highly recommend if you are a fan of the ocean and connecting more with the world around us.
Car candy (aka candy I buy at the gas station that is not allowed to leave my car) serves two purposes.
1) It improves my mood at the end of my in-office work days when I have to drive 30 minutes home, and 2) it encourages me to actually get gas before my tank is dangerously close to empty.
There are some pretty horrible people but also some pretty amazing people in the world.
The 2024 presidential election was scary. I realized that there are so many more people than I thought that are voting and acting with hate or fear over love or empathy. It’s easy to be optimistic when I have such open minded friends and family, but the past months have been shocking to say the least. I coped during election week by sharing my thoughts on bookstagram, and while it was disheartening to lose so many followers (not because they unfollowed me - good riddance! - but because there are people who genuinely think like that), I was also given hope that there are people who act with empathy and compassion (and yes, reading is political!!!).
Making friends is like taking pictures: you need to take (meet) hundreds to find a few amazing ones.
Anything can be made into homemade syrup with some sugar and water.
Over the past month, I have made syrup out of orange juice, strawberries, and blueberry black tea. Either rosemary or basil is next.
It’s okay to be uncomfortable in the uncertainty.
“I don’t know what the future holds and maybe I’m starting to be sort-of-kind-of be okay with the idea that for today I’m happy” (p. 333, Beg, Borrow, and Steal by Sarah Adams)
I’ve been more uncertain what the future holds for me than ever before, but I also don’t remember a time where I’ve been more present in my day-to-day life. Planning for a future while enjoying the moment is a balance, and I know I will continue to learn and grow.
Here’s to the end of chapter 25 and the beginning of chapter 26!
Cheers to your chapter 26! 🥂 this was such a lovely read!