23 things I've learned at 23.

For the past two years, after my birthday, I've put together a list of things I learned throughout the previous year of my life. I just turned 23, so I'm back with another list.
​ In no specific order, here's 23 things I've learned at 23:

1. College is the best, and it flies by at top speed. Don’t blink.
2. Dunkin’ has better iced coffee, and Starbucks has better hot coffee (I’m aware that makes no sense. But I’m standing by it).
3. Eat dinner around one table with your family. Something that you complained about as a kid, is something you should cherish now.
4. The Lord’s plan sometimes makes no sense from our point of view. Instead of being worried by that, we should rest in it and excitedly wait for the days that it starts to make sense. It is finished. So, you can breathe easy.
5. If you ever find yourself crying on your porch because of a bad day, and your friends show up at 10pm with ice cream and huge hugs, don’t let go. Those are the real ones.
6. When God puts you somewhere, he won’t leave you stranded. Like when you find yourself in college for an unexpected extra year, know your presence is purposeful; look for his reasoning every day, and give thanks for it.
7. Friday Night Lights is STILL the best TV show ever.
8. You can boil pasta in a microwave (game changer).
9. The older you get, the more a hug from your dad and a phone call with your mom is going to mean.
10. This world is broken. But so are we. Forgive, admit your mistakes, grow and change. Be there for your neighbor.
11. Raising a puppy is a lot of work.
12. Getting lost in a good book is so worth it.
13. Wake up early and get things done.
14.  Get in the car with your best friend, drive for miles and sing at the top of your lungs. Even if you don’t have a destination.
15. Olive Garden unlimited breadsticks, soup and salad is heaven to a group of college kids.
16. Third wheel with your couple friends. Singleness is a lot more fun than the world makes it out to be when you're completely content in it. Learn about yourself, learn from others and don’t waste it longing for the next thing.
17. I still haven’t ever finished a full tube of Chapstick.
18. Your 20s is a bunch of dreaming, trying, failing and trying something else new. But that’s what they're supposed to be. So, run after that.
19. Long distance friendships work, and they’re worth it.
20. When you don’t know what to say, just listen. The best friend you can be is the one who doesn’t judge and doesn’t feel like they always have to weigh in or talk.
21. Document your life. Write letters. Keep a journal, even if it’s just jumbled notes on your phone. Take one second of video every day.
22. Everyone’s path is going to look different. Focus on your own unique one.
23. Sometimes, your family knows you better than you know you. Sometimes, they tell you for years that you’re going to be an author, and you say no every time. But then you go through college and realize that being an author is your dream job. So, you reluctantly tell them they’re right. Then you dive in.

And you start writing a book.
(p.s. if anyone has an advice or resources on writing books, I’m all ears. This is already one of the craziest adventures I've ever been on.)

23 is already exciting. I'm pumped to see everything that it has in store.