Hey. 23 years ago at exactly 14:30 on the 27th of January Saturday afternoon I came into this world. Being over 20 always seemed so far away and yet here I am living it and it’s nothing and everything I have ever imagined it would be. I still know pretty much nothing but last year has been very relevant for me.
I learned that a lot can change in a year and it’s both positive and negative fact.
Here are some mistakes I made and the life lessons I learned in my 23 short years:
- People are different – the fact that you’re telling the truth and being honest doesn’t mean other people are doing the same. Not everyone has the same values and morals as you do and you can’t count on people being just as responsible as you are. Everyone is different and you can’t expect them to behave as you do. Or you’ll end up pretty disappointed
- Lover your expectations – sad but keeping my head low is very hard for me as I like to dream big, plan big and I’m ending left down way too often
- Learn to let go – don’t try to preserve old habits, old friendships at every cost. “People change, friends leave and life doesn’t stop for anybody”. Letting go of toxic situations or people is so vital.
You’re in no hurry to do stuff or go places – don’t push relationships only because that’s what society expects from you. Take your own time.
- People are too busy living their life they don’t really care that much about yours – take it easy and stop worrying about what other people might think, that’s not really important.
- Excercise is way too important.
- Finding people to count on in your life is so important and yet so hard. You’ll make so many bad choices but you’ll be stronger with every person who screws you over.
- Keep developing your talents – you’re so lucky to be able to do what you do best. You have no idea how special that is so keep drawing, keep writing, keep creating.
- Don’t feel guilty about your decisions – from small ones like staying in on Friday night, not drinking in a group of drinkers, or quitting school that was making you miserable
- Things that make you feel miserable are not worth doing
Keep making beautiful things even when nobody cares. Keep taking those photographs even when you’re never going to show it to anybody. Keep writing even when nobody reads it… keep the beauty alive for yourself only.
- The right perfume can make a huge difference
- You’re all you really need – take care of yourself – buy that cake, get that bath, get that tooth fixed even if it cost more than you can afford, buy the shoes, drink water, take your medicine… Care for yourself – God knows everybody else does.
- Investing in Netflix or iTunes is worth it.
- Just like you, people will do their mistakes and no matter what you say or do can convince them from doing that mistake.
- Your parents are not the enemy – they truly want the best for you and they are the only people you can really trust.
Do no harm but take no shit – know your worth and add the tax.
- You can’t force people to like you – that’s when you try to apply that “letting go” you’re so bad at
- You have survived everything you thought would destroy you so far, this time it’s no different – you got this
- Your stubbornness is both a good and bad features. It’s great you’re so fierce in not giving up but honey something is not worth holding onto.
- People will disagree with you and you can’t spend all your energy explaining why they’re wrong. Again let go.
You don’t know it all. Ask for help. Ask for advice. Do your research and make your opinions based on facts.
- Breakfast is very important.
- Sleeping at a reasonable hour is good.
- Alcohol is no fun no matter what people say.
- What a treacherous thing it is to believe that a person is more than a person.
- Working with people is complicated.
Things happen unexpectedly and it’s all about how you handle plan B
- Always have plan B, C, D…
- Don’t count on people. Try to depend on yourself only.
- Don’t get too comfortable once things are going too well.
Clean your face and use dermatological tested cosmetic
- Don’t bite your nails when you’re 23
- Life goes on no matter what happens but God forbid you to go on with the same people who let you down.
Empathy is vital but the fact you understand why people behave a certain way doesn’t justify their actions
And then there were moments in my 23 years of life when it just hit me so hard how awesome my life is and how incredibly blessed I am despite all of those downs.
And isn’t it all about those few moments…:
- when you come home after 14 hours of ride and your dog sees you for the first time in months. His tail wiggles so much you actually think it might hurt and you are reminded of true honest selfless love. And then your mum hugs you and you’re home and you get to sleep in your own bed with freshly washed sheets…
- when you step into a new country and you get that rush of excitement through your veins. It’s a mix of fear of the unknown, relief of safe travel, and thrill of the unknown…
when you watch the sunset over New York from 70 floors and the sky is pink and then black and you can see 8milion city from up high and it’s so peaceful
- when you go swimming in the sea in the middle of the night and all is dark and all is calm. You lie back and watch the stars and everything feels just right (careful very dangerous never go alone)
- when you leave a place behind. Move away to start again – starting again with full possibilities and so many dreams and expectations to fulfill
when you create something – when you actually materialize your thoughts and ideas and you can point at an object, whether it’s painting, sculpture, poem, cake or whatever, and say “I made that” it’s just such a wonderful fulfilling moment
- when you meet with a friend after a long while because life got in a way and it’s like no time has ever passed since you last saw each other
- when you get that first bite of food you’ve been craving for a long time
- when you enter a tunnel and all of the noise stops, colors change and you feel like you just entered a different dimension
Life is an incredible rollercoaster and I’m pretty sure my 24th year will be no different. 23 truly was a rollercoaster.
So here is to all the good and all the bad that awaits for me in the upcoming year of my life. Bring it on. Cheers to my 23 birthday.
Thank you all for sticking by my side, reading and commenting on my writings. Just as my blog keeps growing with me and your support means the world to me.
Thank you all for your attention
Love you
xo NATALIA
Happy birthday!!
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Do no harm but take no shit – know your worth and add the tax. I love all the points that you brought up because, for the most part, they are so true. But this one stood out!!!
Happy 23rd. Birthday!!!! Hell, enjoy being young, and continue to keep learning life lessons.
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Happy Birthday!!!
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Happy Birthday Nat. Keep up the good work!
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Happy Birthday! Seems as though you are enjoying the journey and taking notes. I am a 45 year old male from Cincinnati, Ohio and you have some wise perspectives about this here universal trip called life.
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Nice
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This is an outstanding post. I’m 23, as of last November, and everything you mentioned in this pertained to what I’ve recently gone / going through. This is the first time I’ve actually wanted to openly speak out on the excellence of a post, as I don’t spend much time on here, but I’m glad I open that email from WordPress. Great post 😎
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Thank you so much
Happy birthday. Good insight. 🙂
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Happy Name day!!! (I like to Honour birthday’s ‘Game of Thrones’ style!) The world loves You for keeping it real. Keep Writing, the world needs Your thoughts and Dreams. Love and Blessings!
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Thank you:)
Happy birthday!
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Happy birthday! You are wise beyond your years young lady! Blessings and prosperity to you.
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I’m 64, there’s so much pain coming in your young life, sorry, but the good outweighs the bad by so much, its not only worth it,it’s necessary.
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Happy Birthday!
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You’re welcome.
You and Mozart share a birthday!
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I didn’t know that! That’s awesome:)
Wise words. Happy Birthday Nat. And many more. Allan
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Happy Birthday!
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You are welcome.
Happy birthday Natalia. Wishing you a great 24th year. And there are people you can count on, it’s just a matter of finding them.
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Happy Birthday sweetie! 🙂
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Happy birthday cutie… You look gorgeous and stunning.. Keep smiling.. Keep shining ❤😀
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Happy Birthday.
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Happy Birthday!
“keep writing even when nobody reads it…”
We all read everyone! So much wisdom at such a young age. You are way ahead in the game of life.
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Happy Birthday
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I wish you a Happy Birthday and a wonderful year ahead!
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Happy birthday Nat🖤
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Wish you a very very happy birthday.. 🎊🎉🎂
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Happy Birthday. At 87, I hardly remember anything about my 23rd birthday. Must have been great though!
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Happy birthday! 🎂🎂🎁
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Many many happy returns of the day!
Lots of blessings and good luck!
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Many many happy returns of the day.
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Happy Birthday!!! 🎉
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You’re welcome! 🙂✨
You have had an incredible life, full of so many different levels and experiences already, in “only” 23 years. It shows in your mature attitude and shows how you are learning from what happens – not everyone does that, no matter their age.
Good luck with the next however many years, Natalia, but for now, Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day, no matter how much or how little you do, and here’s to a great personal year to follow. 🙂
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Happy Existance day!
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Happy Birthday Natalia ! May success attend you all the time !
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I’m bad at giving advice, so I won’t. Sounds like you’ve got a lot of important stuff figured out anyway. I wish I’d been half as wise at your age. I’m still learning a lot of the stuff you outlined at my age! Rock on, Nat. Rock on.
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Most of us spend a lifetime learning these. Happy birthday
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Many more happy returns of the day
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Hi Natalie
Wishing you a very happy birthday. At 23 you’ve seen a lot and done a lot and your insightful comments are amazing. Well done. Keep doing the things you love and leave toxic people and relationships behind. Don’t let miserable people bring you down – sometimes they’re just jealous of the joy that’s in your heart – so don’t let them sap your energies. I want to hear from you in 23 more years – what will your list be like then!! All good wishes for a very happy birthday. Pauline
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You are just wonderful for 23 years Natalia
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Happy birthday Natalia! You are well on your way to developing a wise and experienced soul and strong heart. I enjoyed your list and hope for you that those wonderful things you experience in the future will grow too numerous to write down.
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Happy Birthday, Natalia. You’ve learned many valuable lessons so far, yet think of all the things to learn still to come.
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Happy Birthday to you and god bless you always🤗🤗😘🌻🌻🌻
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Charlee: “Happy birthday!”
Chaplin: “Sorry we are a little late!”
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Happy Birthday, and wishing you more birthdays to come!
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AH – TO BE 23 AGAIN! – HAPPY BIRTHDAY
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Reblogged this on PENSIERI LIBERI and commented:
As I read this beautiful piece this morning, I’m reminded of my own recent writing on one of the best resolutions I’ve made and its rewards. I’m reminded that forgiveness and above all letting go is the key to self satisfaction. Here’s what you’ve gotta learn from life!
Letting go is by far my favorite resolution and your posts says it’s the best decision we’ve all gotta make at one point in this life. Thanks for the beautiful piece and happy birthday Nat.
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Happy Birthday Natalia, it would seem that you have already learned many of life’s lessons!
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Happy Birthday!!
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You’re very welcome.
Another year of observing and learning ahead. Congratulations, enjoy.
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Belated Happy Birthday greetings, Natalia!
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Happy birthday!
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Great post! So many life lessons at such a tender age! Happiest of happiest to you and have a great one!
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there are two types of mistakes…….recoverable and non- recoverable. You will make many thousand recoverable mistakes but only one non- recoverable.
The person who makes the most mistakes (and learns from them) will become wise. Wisdom is earned through blood sweat and tears.
You are well on your way.
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Happy Birthday Natalia!
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you’re totally welcome Natalia, did you enjoy your ‘special’ day?
Happy Birthday! You seem incredibly mature for 23. After 25 years of drinking and drugging I’m only realizing some of those things now. Take care.
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happy happy birthday, Natalia!!! I loved reading this <3
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Congrats on surviving another year 🙂
Trust that this one goes a bit better than the previous…
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Glad you’re here. Hope you’re having a wonderful birthday and week. 🙂
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Happy belated birthday.
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😊
Happy Birthday! Many happy returns.
Good stuff. At 73, it’s not much different. Embrace it.
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Belated Happy Birthday firstly and thanks for sharing your life lessons 😊
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Happy New Birthday Year!! I stopped in to thank you for your encouragement on my website and see here, would it be okay if I gave you 3 reminders that meant so much in my walk to better and better??
One is to remember that every breakup/loss/change is the chance to fall in love again! You’re quite intuitive. Prepare to be great!
Happy Birthday. Nice reflections and observations on life.
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Hey, NATALIA.
Happy belated Birthday. I too, had my birthday January 30th.
Thank you for stopping by a few times to like my poems. Glad you spend it well on your Birthday.
So your Aquarius right?
Hey, you share a birthday with Mozart – and also a rather famous fellow blogger, I understand 🙂 Happy happy, and many more!! I loved your list(s). Having lived at least twice as long as you now, I think I can safely say that the perfume line resonated with me the most. Because I don’t wear any. Maybe that’s why I have no friends…. Oh wait! “Keep making beautiful things even when nobody cares” is also important, and might be the one single thing that brings you the most fulfillment year after year. Other than a dog and a good human soulmate, that is. All the best!
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Happy birthday! That is a lot to have learned in just 23 years! 🙂
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I’m impressed with how centered you seem. Keep up the good work.
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HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY Natalia!
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You are wise beyond your years. Happy Birthday
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Happy belated Birthday! This is a good post.
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You have a lovely complexion. Look after it!
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Many Happy Returns 🙂
Hope to see more visits from you on my blog and share my travels 🙂
https://etravelersclub.wordpress.com
Sai
I like your hair 😊😊
Have a great 24th year!
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Solid stuff here. Lots of life lessons and insights. Happy (belated?) birthday and thanks! Have an awesome year of affirmations, discoveries and reaffirmations.
Great read, points noted. Happy Birthday in Arrears 🍹
Many pieces of wisdom here. I wish I had learned so much by the time I was 23! I especially like “know your worth and add the tax”!
Joan Senio
My Best Friend Adeline
https://kindness-compassion-and-coaching.com
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What a great list. You are wise beyond your years. I’ve done a lot on your list, including taking in NYC from high above. The Empire State Building to be exact.
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Thank you, The empire state building must have been nice
Yes! It provides as wonderful a view as you could want.
Great advice to live by!
Happy Birthday!