22 Things I Learned Being 22 in 2022

 

Hi Friends! Welcome to my first official blog post!

I feel like 2022 was really the year the world got back to a state of normality after Covid. It was finally a year we could do all of our normal things. No restrictions on the distance we could travel away from the house, no worries about the lie you were going to tell the police on why you had left the house 3 times that day and no queuing outside of the bars (most important obvs). Safe to say 2022 was a great year for most people, having that sense of freedom back and there generally being a bit more positivity in the air again. 

Anyone who knows me personally knows that a LOT happened for me in 2022. Both good and not so good (not so good being an absolute understatement). I never thought that writing a blog post about the complete chaos I experienced would be something I would do but the more I thought about it the more I realised there is so much that I took away from 2022. A LOT of tears, so much laughter, new core memories and most importantly lessons. This isn't supposed to be one of those 'I've had a spiritual awakening and now I know it all' type of things. It's just a little insight into some of the things I learned, mistakes I made and things that will hopefully give you a laugh too because amongst all the really bad stuff that happened, 2022 was a year that I truly enjoyed and allowed me to experience so much. 

So, here are 22 things I learned being 22 in 2022.

1. If my friends jumped into a fire, so would I. 

Controversial to a lot of the things my mummy told me growing up but it's true. We're joint at the hip and if you see one of us, sure as God the rest of us aren't far behind. 

2. Corporate jobs do not define success.

And you don't need to rush into one straight after University. I really thought I was all biz going into my 'big girl job' as a paralegal a couple of months after I graduated but I soon realised that my happiness was worth a lot more than a salary and a fancy job title. 

3. Always double check the contact lens solution bottle. 

This one may be a bit of a niche but after pouring my facial toner instead of contact lens solution into my lens case, sitting in A&E for 6 hours, getting my eyes numbed and washed out with saline solution via IV bags; double checking which bottle I'm pouring into my case is something I quickly learned to do. 

4. Break-ups are the worst. 

Boys are the worst. There is no pain like a heart break. Need I say anymore?

5. Break-ups are the best. 

Contradictory but it's true. Although I have truly never felt pain like a heartbreak, going through that break-up let me get closer to my friends and gave me such a new appreciation for just how amazing they are. Also, it was great for character development I suppose?

6. 'Money comes and goes but as long as your card doesn't decline - who cares?'

I give full credit to Laura for this one but she's right! I will have the least responsibilities in my 20's and I may as well take full advantage of that!

7. Take all the photo's you can.

Pictures are the best plus I'm so nosey and I love seeing everyone's photo dumps on instagram. Photo dumps are definitely the best trend to come out of 2022 and I'm pretty sure we can all agree on that one? Of course I want to see all the random pictures you've accumulated in your photo album the last month? 

8. Don't ignore the noises in your car. 

Anyone that knows me knows that Polly the Polo and I have a somewhat complicated and rocky relationship (completely her fault). I have the worst luck with cars especially when it involves the combination of the M1 and awful hangovers. Safe to say I will be going straight to the mechanic if hear a slight unusual noise in my car. 

9. Parent's know a lot, but not everything!

Which isn't a bad thing! My mummy is truly the best woman ever and I honestly don't know how she does it all and puts up with me at the same time! But, one massive thing I learned in 2022 was that it was my mummy's first time 'doing' life too. I sometimes forget that things I'm experiencing for the first time are also things that she's experiencing for the first time and it's new for the both of us!

10. Treat yourself. 

This isn't something I specifically learned in 2022 but something I definitely done a lot more of and will definitely not be stopping anytime soon. As they say, if you don't treat yourself, who will?

11. Get a therapist!

I never thought I would be one of those people who have a therapist but getting a therapist is one of the best investments I've made and I can't emphasise it enough. To be honest, she probably dreads seeing me coming as my life is full of surprises and she doesn't know if it will be tears or a smile coming through her door. 

12. Your thoughts aren't facts. 

A bit of a deep one but it is so easy to convince yourself that what you are thinking is true and most of the time it's not! It's so easy to get carried away and over analyse situations or problems in your head but once you learn that every thought that you have isn't fact, things become a lot less overwhelming. 

13. Brunch is the best thing about a Sunday. 

My instagram really turned into a food page in 2022. 

14. Sunsets are the key to happiness. 

I don't know what the happy hormones are but whatever they are, watching sunsets release all of them. 

15. Check your boobs!

This is so important!! 

16. Your Mummy is your best friend.

She is and always will be <3

17. Try to look at everything positively. 

I usually hate clichés and they make me cringe but trying (trying being the key word here) to view every situation in a more positive light genuinely makes things that bit more bearable. 

18. Self-care is the best care. 

Super cheesy and something you would definitely see printed on a mug in home bargains but there is no better feeling than a full body exfoliation, a fresh layer of fake tan (bBold obvs) and getting into fresh bed sheets. That's my idea of self-care anyways!

19. You can relate Taylor Swift songs to every life event

I would say that a massive coping mechanism for the girls and I is going out in the car and singing Taylor swift songs. It really is the small things? No matter what happens in life you bet that we have a Taylor Swift song to quote and relate it to. 

20. Healing takes time. 

Another cliché but time really is the biggest healer! No matter what the situation is healing is such a long process but as long as you have great people around you, the healing process will be fine. (omg soppy I know)

21. Trains are the WORST form of public transport. 

I know this will be a controversial one considering all we ever do in Ireland is complain about our non-existing rail network. However, my experiences with trains have been nothing short of traumatic between missing trains in Dublin, being lost in Munich's underground for hours and eventually being fined €60 for apparently having the wrong train ticket. I think we can all agree I'm allowed to have this opinion. 

22. You're allowed to be proud of yourself!

No matter what it is, big or small, academic, career or personal wise it is so important to be proud of yourself. I am definitely someone who tends to brush off my accomplishments. 2022 really taught me that I'm capable of so much and I'm super proud of that every day!

Well that was a super long-winded post but 2022 truly taught me so much and I'm so beyond proud of myself for getting through what was one of the toughest years ever! 

I hope you all enjoyed and thanks so much for reading! 

Emily x