Hey there!

I'm officially 25! Every day I'm getting closer to 30 and further from 20 (which is a little weird, to be honest!) I know that I'm not completely where I want to be in life just yet, but I think I've gained a little bit of wisdom in my 25 years on this earth. So I thought I'd share 25 things I've learned in my 25 years...enjoy!

God is amazing. He offers such love, joy, peace, and hope that I can't ever get from anywhere (or anyone) else. My relationship with Him continues to grow each and every day, and I'm really beginning to realize how important my faith truly is.
Family is very important. I've always been really close to my family, but now that I live 2,500+ miles from them, I miss them so much. I miss goofing off with them, watching my siblings grow up, and just being able to see them any time I want to. Don't ever take family for granted.
You can't always plan out every aspect of your life (even though I desperately try to.) We can set goals and try to change certain situations, but we can't control every single part of our lives. The sooner we learn to let go of the control a little, the better. This goes back to my relationship with God. I know that I need to be more trusting in Him and allow Him to help guide me in every aspect of my life.
As soon as you stop caring so much what everyone thinks of you, you'll be much happier. Brene Brown quotes one of Theodore Roosevelt's speeches in her book Daring Greatly: "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." Don't let those around you whose opinions don't really matter get you down.
The one you end up marrying should be your best friend. (I think I've got this one covered!)
Joy is a state of being, not feeling. It goes beyond feeling happy; joy is a choice. You can decide, no matter what's going on around you, to live a life full of joy.
The most important things in life are not found on our phones. It's the face-to-face, real conversations, the splendor of nature, being present in each and every moment. We are killing ourselves with social media and technology instead of living abundant, present lives.
The days are long, but the years are short. This is a very cliche line, but I'm learning that it's totally true! Some days seem to take forever, but, as I look back over the past few years, I'm not sure when time has really gone.
Dogs should be prescribed for anxiety and depression. For real. Sadie always knows when I'm feeling down. She really lifts my spirits, and makes me feel SO much better!
It's never too late to become a better person. No matter your past, you always have the ability to change your future.
Having just a few really close friends is better than having a ton of not-so-great friends.
Water is very important. I never used to be a big water-drinker. Honestly, I didn't start drinking enough water until this past year. That's when I realized how dehydrated I had been my whole life. Drinking tons of water seriously makes you feel 10 times better.
Everyone has a story. We shouldn't judge others because we don't always know what they are (or have been) going through. That grocery store employee who was a little rude to you? She might have recently lost a loved one. Just smile at her, be polite, and go on about your day.
There's always something to be grateful for. Living a life of gratitude will make you a much happier person.
Experiences are usually better than material things. Forget the new pair of expensive shoes-go on the trip instead.
It's never too late to start learning something new. No, you don't need a degree first. Just pick up the pen, paintbrush, gardening tools, or spatula and experiment.
Gossip just hurts everyone in the long run. Be bigger than that.
A long walk outside can really help clear your mind and allow you to think and feel better (especially during a creative slump.)
Try to give people the benefit of the doubt before deciding you don't like them. A lot of the time, they'll surprise you.
Just because you're technically an "adult," it doesn't mean you have everything figured out. (I know this from personal experience.)
Spending time reading a book instead of on social media can be really rewarding and incredibly relaxing.
As I grow older, I realize how right my parents actually were about a lot of things.
Don't date someone who doesn't treat you with respect and love. You will eventually find someone who will be the exact person you need and deserve. Don't stay with someone who doesn't make you a priority.
Let your weird side out more often. The best people in life are a little weird.
You never stop learning. You may think you have life figured out, but, trust me, it'll throw some new knowledge in your face soon enough!