Senior year has truly felt like a blur and a constant countdown to the next big step. College applications, last shows, senior prom…everything is happening all at once and soon enough, it’ll be over. I remember walking into high school four years ago, terrified and hopeful at the same time. I thought growing up meant needing to have all the answers, knowing exactly who I was and where I was going. Now, as I literally stand at the edge of graduation, I realize that growing up isn’t necessarily about knowing everything, it’s about learning to navigate in the unknown. 

Over the past 17 years, I’ve learned a lot about life, about myself, and about the people around me. Some lessons came easily, others smacked me down before I could get back up. But each one of them shaped me into the person I am today at the edge of a new journey. 

Here are 17 things I’ve learned in 17 years. 

• People change (and that’s not always a bad thing) 

Friendships shift, people grow apart, and sometimes you’ll turn around and realize you’re not the same person you were a year ago and neither are they. These words are pretty ironic coming out of my mouth because I used to hate change. Even the slightest of things would send me into a spiral, but I’ve learned that change isn’t always a loss. Sometimes it’s just making room for something new. 

• Not everyone is meant to stay, but some people will surprise you. 

There are people I thought would be in my life forever and they’re not. But then there are others who showed up when I least expected it and stayed through it all. The ones who surprise you with their loyalty are the ones worth holding onto. 

• Failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s actually part of it.

Failing a test, missing a deadline (even a lot of them lol), or being rejected used to feel like the end of the world. But every failure taught me how to work harder and how to keep going even when things feel impossible. 

• Forgiveness is more for you than for them. 

If you’re in the middle of a hurt -especially a bad one- you’re gonna have to trust me on this one. Holding onto anger and hurt feels like you’re in control, but really it’s just weighing you down. Forgiveness doesn’t mean the other person gets away without consequences (if you’re a Christian, check out Romans 12:19 “vengeance is of the lord..”) it just means deciding that you deserve peace more than you deserve being right. 

• There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. 

I used to think needing help made me seem weak and that I should be capable of figuring things out on my own. But strength isn’t found in your ability to do things by yourself, true stretch and wisdom is about knowing when to lean on others. 

• Love isn’t always loud, sometimes it’s quiet and steady.

It’s easy to confuse love with grand gestures (or who is reporting you on their stories…or who’s inviting you to hangout…), but I’ve learned that it’s often found in the little things. A friend remembering your coffee order, someone coming to just sit with you in silence, your mom leaving the light on when you’re out late. Those are the things that count. 

• Sleep matters (like actually lol)

I know we’ve ALL done it. Pulling an all-nighter for a project that we procrastinate on or staying up late scrolling through my phone (I’m SO guilty) always seemed harmless until I realized how much better I feel when I get rest. I know we’ve all heard it but it’s true. Your brain works better, your heart feels lighter, and everything feels a little less overwhelming when you’re not exhausted and hanging on by a thread. 

• Comparison steals your joy.

It’s so easy to look at someone else’s life and feel like you’re behind, especially during college announcement season(#rebelbound). But no one posts the hard parts, and you never know what someone else is carrying. Your path is your own and that’s enough. Be proud of it. 

• Growth is uncomfortable, but that’s how you know it’s working.

There were so many moments where I felt stuck, confused, or in too deep. But those were the moments that forced me to stretch, to figure things out, and to become the person I am now. 

• Family isn’t just about blood. 

I’ve learned that family is about who shows up. It’s about the people who make you feel safe, seen, and understood, even when you do dumb stuff. Blood ties are not the only bonds that matter. 

• Boundaries aren’t mean, they’re necessary. 

Learning to say “no” was one of the hardest things I’ve had to learn how to do. But setting boundaries isn’t selfish (or rude), they protect your peace. The right people will respect them. 

• Celebrate the small wins. 

It’s easy to wait for the big moments (the award, the graduation, the major milestones). But sometimes the smallest victories like getting through a rough day, finishing an essay, or making your loved one’s day are just as important. 

• Your voice matters and you should use it. 

For a long time, I thought my opinions or ideas didn’t matter. But speaking up, even if you do it with a shaky voice, is powerful. Your perspective is unique, and the world needs to hear it. 

• Let yourself feel when you need to. 

As a professional crybaby (I cry over any and everything lol) let me tell you that crying isn’t a weakness, it’s a release. Holding everything in doesn’t make you strong, it just makes you tired and can cause way more issues. Let the tears fall, have your moment, and then get back up. 

• Being alone doesn’t mean you’re lonely. 

Being by myself used to make me super anxious. I would make myself extremely busy so that I could be surrounded by people. But I’ve learned to enjoy my own company, to sit with my own thoughts (still kinda weird), to breathe, and to find comfort in the quiet.

• Faith doesn’t always make sense, but believe anyway. 

There were times (there still are) when things didn’t make sense. Prayers went unanswered and life felt really unfair. But choosing to believe anway, to trust that there’s a bigger plan gave me the strength I needed to push through even when I couldn’t see the plan. 

• You’re already enough just the way you are. 

You don’t have to earn love or success or happiness. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, You are enough just as you are, right now. And that’s more than enough. 

In less than a month, everything will change. I’ll leave behind the familiar halls of my high school, the faces I’ve come to love, and the routines I found comfort in. I’m a little nervous for the future but I know that these lessons will follow me through the next journey. 

Growing up isn’t about having everything figured out…it’s about learning as you go. Maybe that’s the biggest lesson of all.