It has been a good six or so months since I turned 23, but I really wanted to take on this challenge of writing 23 life lessons learned from 23 years. But seriously, I think that I might just be a little bit of a slow learner, because this took me ages! But I hope that you can have a good chuckle at some of these!
But *drumroll* please! Here is my take on 23 lessons in 23 years!
23 Life Lessons Learned in 23 Years
1. Never be afraid to let out your laughter
Even if you have the shrillest laugh, don’t be afraid to bleat it out. You were created to express your joy!
2. Your daddy was wrong… you’re not the absolute best
There will always be other girls prettier than you, smarter than you and all-around ‘better’ than you… and even though you’re never going to be ‘enough’, through Him you are enough. Just thank God that He made you the unique beauty that He did!
3. NEVER get a fringe just ‘cos
IT’S A BAD IDEA. Baaaaaaaad.
4. People won’t always like you
It hurts. But no amount of perfect can ever get everyone to love you. Jesus was the literal definition of perfect and yet he had people who absolutely hated his guts! So always be kind, but forget about trying to please the world and live for the one who created you!
5. Words do hurt, but bring them to the cross
Whoever said that sticks and stones can break my bones but names will never hurt me clearly lives on an entirely different planet to me. Words do hurt. But bring them to the foot of the cross – whatever was said to you wasn’t ever meant to be your burden to carry.
6. Life will ALWAYS have a funny way of working itself out
Are you a lil’ bit of a stress muffin? Life ALWAYS has a way of working itself out – and even if you’re not laughing about it now, I betcha that you will in the future.
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7. Gilbert Blythe will and forever will be the BEST
If you know him, you’ll fall in love with him. It doesn’t matter if you were twelve back then and you are in your twenties now, you’re probably still going to love him. It’s just a fact of life.
8. Your parents aren’t always right, but you should always hear them out
Your parents are human. They make mistakes. Big whoop. But they are so much older than you and have so much more life experience under their belt. So even as uncool as you think they are, they were twenty-three once too! And we are called to honour our parents 🙂
9. Hard times build faith, but good times test faith
Your faith might be built and strengthened through tough times, but it is in the good seasons that your faith is going to be tested. This is because it can be so easy to forget to remember how important your faith is to you when all is well and good. So, when you are in the midst of a good season, give your thanks to God and keep leaning in on Him!
10. Even though the world is hard, it is okay to be soft
Don’t stop being a softy in the world just because everything else around you is hard. And if anyone tells you that you’re a sap, just own it! Don’t harden up your heart just because people think you should be a certain way!
11. You will never regret listening to Him, even when it is hard, but you will regret ignoring Him
When He is pulling your ear and trying to grab your attention – just listen and do it! Even if it is hard, you won’t regret it. BUT if He is saying a little somethin’ somethin’ to ya and you flat out ignore it? Be ready to face some pretty huge regrets!
13. Give your old Facebook posts and photos and good sweep out – they might just come back to haunt you
Remember that old “like for a like” posts back in 2011? Or one of those old awkward photos back when you were 14? Maybe it is time to give that timeline a good sweep out!
14. Don’t try to fit square pegs into round holes
Not everything is going to work out the way that you want it to. So don’t go around jamming square pegs into a clearrrrrly round hole! Just go and find yourself that round peg God is setting aside for you! God’s got this. Trust God to write your story.
15. Jesus didn’t die for you so that you’d be ashamed of Him
Feelin’ ashamed about saying the gospelor even breathing the word Jesus in a conversation? Don’t just express your faith with a silver cross necklace and a WWJD wristband! He didn’t die on the cross for you so that you would be embarrassed talking about Him!
16. You’re only as embarrassing or ridiculous as you’re willing to let yourself feel
People rarely think or feel that you are as embarrassing or ridiculous as you think that you are. So, truly, you are only what you feel and don’t let those negative thoughts dictate you!
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18. Don’t ever say yes to someone because you’re scared of saying no
It is okay not to please everyone. You weren’t built to carry the burden of pleasing the world. Don’t let yourself be filled with regrets because you said yes to someone when you should have said no.
19. Don’t ever say no to someone because you’re scared of saying yes
Don’t cripple yourself from living your life to the fullest by being afraid of saying yes to someone. BE BOLD. BE BRAVE and chase after the unknown when you know it is right, even if you feel scared!
20. NOBODY can play the role as your best friend better than Jesus
When you have the worst day in the world, don’t go running to your girlfriends straightaway. Instead, find a place that inspires you and just start chatting with Jesus!
21. Talk to the strangers at the bus stop
E.V.E.R.Y S.I.N.G.L.E person has a beautiful and unique story. And more often than not, every person that you come across has a checkered past, a broken heart and soul that is hurting deeply – despite what they try and show you. Knowing this, don’t be afraid of talking to the strangers at the bus stop because you think that it’ll be weird or awkward. More often than not, these strangers end up being a friend!
22. Take a step back
It is okay to slow down! You don’t have to go about trying to set goals and achieve things all the time. Take a step back, take a deep breath, and just appreciate the little moments that God has created for you to enjoy!
23. Don’t ever ask “God, why don’t You do something?”Because He’ll say, “I did, yeah, I created you”
Yep! I just quoted Matthew West again! Seriously, if you haven’t heard his songs, you’ve got to! But taking that point aside, don’t wait around for change, you were created to be the change! Don’t hesitate and listen to God’s calling on your life.
I hope you enjoyed these 23 lessons from my 23 years of life. Drop a comment in the comment section below and tell me, what is the greatest life lesson that have you ever learned? 🙂
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23 Hilarious Life Lessons Learned From 23 Spirit-Led Years
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Just your 26 year old girl next door, writer and creator of Truthfully, Michelle & Girls After Truth. I love creating relevant faith-based content for modern, twenty-something girls written from an honest, down-to-earth and biblically grounded point of view.
Hahaha that is still pretty awesome! It is always so nice to have a creative outlet eh? x Even if it is private! Have you ever considered making it public? 🙂
Happy to be part of the community here! I am a passionate Christian storyteller so these personal nuggets of inspiration are so appreciated. Thanks Michelle!
I love tea, all shades of pastel and watching the sunset. I hope that you will relish in the beauty of every moment and find joy in the smallest of things. I pray that you will be able to find true satisfaction in Christ alone and that you will be able to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord whatever season of life you are in.
You're so welcome here sweet friend! I love how you're here reading this blurb right now! It brings such a smile to my face:) I hope you enjoy taking a browse through my blog... a collection of my musings, heartfelt cries to God and my deep desire that you too will get to know how loved you truly are and dance through life each day to the beat of His holy drum!
MEET THE BLOGGER
Before you get any further... Hey! I'm Michelle!
I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE.
Thank you for taking the time to check out my site! I am so excited to share more with you about this passion that the Lord has placed upon my heart and get to know a little more about who the Lord lovingly made you to be!
Cinnamon spiced lattes, puppies with bows and watercolour paintings are just some of my favourite things. However, above all, I’m just a lover of Jesus and people. So let’s live with joy that set-apart life that God has created us purposefully for together. For He is the One who calls you by name and has loved you from the beginning of time! ❤️
hey girl!
Hey,
I'm MichellE.
I love tea, all shades of pastel and watching the sunset. I hope that you will relish in the beauty of every moment and find joy in the smallest of things. I pray that you will be able to find true satisfaction in Christ alone and that you will be able to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord whatever season of life you are in.
In the mean time, I hope you enjoy taking a browse through my blog... a collection of my musings and my hope that you too will dance through life each day with a bright smile on your face because of how loved you are!
Encouraging the modern twenty-something girl to boldly spark His beacon of light in this oft-dark world and inspiring them to A. seek biblical truth through scripture and B. stand for biblical truth in the midst of a culture-driven world.
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Statement of Faith
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MY FAVOURITE: AREN'T THESE WHITE FLOWERS SO LOVELY?!
We believe in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
We believe that we are all sinners and all sins need to be paid
We believe that Jesus died to pay for our sins
We believe that it is only by grace through faith that we're saved
Hi my name is Kiara. Just found your blog and I like it. ♥️
HEY Kiara! I am so glad that you like the blog! Do you have a blog yourself? 🙂
x Michelle
Yes I do but it is private
Hahaha that is still pretty awesome! It is always so nice to have a creative outlet eh? x Even if it is private! Have you ever considered making it public? 🙂
Yes I have. I just have to figure it out!♥️
Beautiful lessons. I love them💗
These are amazing lessons! Thanks for sharing. Many blessings to you!
Hahaha thank you Boma! Wishing you all the best too! 💛💫
I love this. Thank you for sharing such experiences and these very much needed and useful tips 🙂 Love it , keep at it sis <3
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Happy to be part of the community here! I am a passionate Christian storyteller so these personal nuggets of inspiration are so appreciated. Thanks Michelle!
Thank you Salonica! I love that you are a passionate storyteller of Christ. It’s so good having you here too! 🙂
This was absolutely awesome. I love the wisdom others share so thank you!!!