22 Reasons I'm THANKFUL for MY 22 Years

I have always been a birthday person. I love to celebrate birthdays. Being born is a BIG deal! Why else would you celebrate it every single year? This is the day God decided to let you venture off into the great unknown, with a sure plan for exactly who you were to become. Each year as you celebrate, you are getting closer and closer to who He has designed you to be. Another year of life is supposed to be exciting and a gift worth rejoicing over. You know all the good stuff people say about birthdays and getting older....yeah, 22 was thought as NONE OF THAT for me!

I didn't want to celebrate it, I was not excited about it, and I could care less about another year. This was just one birthday I was not going to get hype about. How do you follow up the 21st year of life where you get to legally drink with...double digits? BLAH! Even as I typed this, the night before, I was not excited (probably because my students drained me of any excitement possible). I looked at twenty-two as the age where you are probably working your first real job, paying all types of bill you didn't even know existed, and maybe in a relationship that could lead to marriage...talk about STRESS! I am only dealing with one of those scenarios and I am still very stressed. My birthday was the last thing on my mind. But that's not fair, no fun, and not the way I wanted to think.

As cliche as the birthday sayings are, they are also very true. There are so many people who did not make it to see this age. There are so many people who would be glad to have the life that I am so stressed and complaining about. And there are so many reasons why I need to be thankful to see twenty-two years of age, instead of dreading it like I had been. My negative attitude and urge to change it lead me to writing this post. Initially this post was going to be 22 wishes that I have for myself (and by initially, I mean like 30 seconds before I started typing), but as I sat devleoping my list Psalms 100, verse 4 was running through my head:

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name", 

I didn't need to enter this new year of life with wishes and wants. I needed to enter this new year of life with thanksgiving and praise for all that God has already given, shown, and done for me. I needed to reflect on the positive aspects of becoming a 22 year old. So my 22 wishes for 22 years has became '22 Reasons I'm THANKFUL for My 22 Years' of life!

1. I am ALIVE!- This reason alone is enough to be happy about. I have breath in my body and a purpose for my presence here on earth. Everyone says that for their birthday, but as of lately it is beginning to actually take meaning for me.
2. Having a big girl job, with abig girl check, in the career path I chose!- Plenty of people my age can't say this, but I can. Even though there are bad days, I am still thankful that they are my bad days and they have purpose.
3. NO children!- I salute all young mom, because I don't think for one second that I am ready to be someones mother. I'm going through a selfish phase really bad right now.
4. My taste buds have matured past McDonalds- McDonalds use to be life, but I have finally decided that I am no longer lovin' it. This is a big deal for me. HUGE! Very thankful for this growth
5. I have learned/am still learning what I want out of life!- This is such a big deal! There are people twice my age who can't say this. It's refreshing to have somewhat of an idea where I would like my life to go and how to get there.
6. Learned to reject what God says to reject!- This one is hard and is definitely a working progress, but I am no longer adamant about fighting His plans, just because they don't match my own.
7. NO man drama!- I salute all young couples, because I don't think for one second that I am ready to be someones girlfriend. I'm going through a selfish phase really bad right now. (Yes, I repeated that entire sentence. Whateva! Men are the equivalent of children sometimes anyway!) But seriously, there are plenty people in relationships that mean them no good because they feel the need to be, but I am not one of them.
8. I have learned to enjoy my own company!- At 22, there is no one I enjoy spending more time with than myself. I never thought this would happen.
9. The urge to party is dying down!- Call me a grandma, but I would be okay if I only "partied" one or twice every 2 months. Keep reading and you'll see what my new favorite way of turning up is. (#18)
10. Crop tops no longer make me feel sexy!- I never thought I would say this, but I actually start to feel uncomfortable when I show a lot of skin. Who knew that would happen at 22!
11. My mommy still allows me to feel like I am her baby when I need to!- Because I am only 22, my mommy is still everything she was to me when I was 12 whenever big girl world is swallowing me up! Especially since I can live at home for a while.
12. I can always pull the "I'm an adult" card when I need to!- My mother has started to use the "You're an adult Brandi, these are your decisions" line on me! It gives me a weird sense of power that I like! I am an adult and no one can take that away from me!
13. One year closer to being 25!- I don't know why, but I am growing to be obsessed with turning 25! I already have such big plans for my life that year, it's ridiculous. It just seems like such a sexy and fearless age!
14. Social media no longer controls my life!- This is not typical for people at 22, which is why I am thankful Social media can be a killer if taken too seriously, so for me this was a necessity. It's all fun and games until you're checking someones page daily! I have learned to LET GO!
15. The less I listen to what other people think, the more I can hear my own thoughts!- So so so so thankful that the opinion of others is not as huge a concern in my life as it use to be. Nor the need to compare myself to them. Only with true growth does this happen.
16. Being able to afford the things I see in magazines!- It's so weird to not just window shop. Sometimes I forget that I can buy the things I want instead of just wanting them.
17. Material things are beginning to hold a lot less value in my life!- Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for all the wonderful things I have, but if I were to lose them all I wouldn't want to die. I could not have said that 2-3 years ago.
18. Naps have become one of my favorite hobbies!- The older I get, the more precious naps are for me. I definitely didn't appreciate the joys of a nap at age 17 compared to now. You have to learn to love the simple joys of life.
19. I can feel myself growing up!- I have these weird moments when I think "Good job Brandi, that was a very mature decision to make. I'm proud of you!" I live for those moments.
20. My thirst for life has NOT been quenched!- I am still hungry for more adventure, still thirsty for more knowledge, and still curious about this world and the people in it.
21. There is still SO much that I must still learn!- I have gained a wealth of knowledge in these 22 years and I am thankful for that and that I still have so much more to gain. Knowledge is power and the older I get, the more power I possess.
22. Still have time to mess it all up and fix it back the way it should be!- Even if my life were to come crumbling down tomorrow, I am young enough to repair all the damage and rebuild it stronger than ever. But also believe that no one is ever too old to start fresh, so this one will probably be on all my birthday lists to come.

This list has helped me to have a refreshed outlook on my upcoming year of life! No, it may not have a well known celebratory ritual like driving at 16, partying at 18, or drinking at 21...but being thankful at 22 is perfect for me. Thankful for the growth I've had, the life I have, and the unknown year of life ahead of me. Twenty two is a great age to be confused, lost, and scared (all of which I feel at times), so that later on you can feel enlightened, accomplished, and fearless! I am 22 and PROUD!

Indulge in being whatever age you are and thankful for it!

xo,

BLT