10 Things in 1 Year

September 26th marked my one year in New York City. What a year it has been. The past thirteen months have been by far and away the craziest, challenging and most interesting year of my life. Through taking a break from writing here, I have been able to develop my voice and figure out what direction I want to take this good old blog. Additionally, writing is a skill that must always be practiced, and I don't want to have my degree go to waste. Here are ten things I have learned in the past year of working and living in NYC:

Learning | “The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart. And being thoughtful. And being generous. Everything else is crap! I promise you! It's just crap that people try to sell to you to make you feel like less. So don't buy it. Be smart, be thoughtful, and be generous.” I think about this Ashton Kutcher quote a lot from a few years back. Admittedly, living in a bubble at Bucknell and camp over the summer, I didn't pay a ton of attention to the news and what was going on. While it can be needed and relaxing, it's also always good to have a real answer when someone asks what you've been reading. Additionally, learn from every experience and person you meet- good, bad and ugly. 

Self Awareness | Since January 1st, I have been keeping a journal. While I wonder if I will eventually burn the whole thing, it's also something that I know will be invaluable some day in the future. My boyfriend Luc is very good at calling me out when I am making a mistake, and I do the same with him. Having a friend, parent or significant other to lean on prevents you from becoming a jerk. People will always remember how they felt around you, and adulthood is the time to think of others. 

Organization | Somewhere in the middle of college, I started to become a neater person, and over the past year, it has become essential. Making the bed, doing the dishes, the whole thing. 

Relationships + Friends | I have learned a lot about what it means to have important people in life. Family is everything and no matter how many times I may call my mom, she always answers and listens, and for that, I am truly grateful. Close friends from childhood and college are to be cherished, even when they are far away. Additionally, if you don't really care to know what your high school acquaintance is doing on an everyday basis, that's ok to unfollow them too. 

Growing Up | It's inevitable and I am learning more that it takes time to settle things after college. Everyone goes through the adulthood transition in their own way. No one is judging you for paying a mortgage for a windowless bedroom, so you shouldn't judge them either. 

Time | I wish I had as much free time as I did at Bucknell- or at least that someone would have properly warned me about that?

Money | It's easy to spend money in New York, but knowing that you have more than $20 in your bank account is a lot more satisfying. You probably didn't learn nearly enough about finance, so you're gonna have to do the work yourself. 

Kindness | In high school, one of my friend Olivia, who is still my pen pal today always said hi to everyone. I remember admiring that and tried to do that more. People who work at Starbucks taking coffee orders all day, co-workers and especially people in a lower job title deserve kindness and respect the most. 

Death | This year, I experienced the first real death in my family. My grandfather died in January, and with that came a lot of changes in our family. While it was sad and still sometimes gets to me, I am so grateful that I was able to live into my 20's with him actively in my life. It also serves as a reminder that most of the stuff we deal with everyday doesn't matter. A lot of crappy things may happen to you in a day, but you are alive and here. My grandfather loved nothing more than slathering on baby oil, turning on the radio and sitting in the sun to fry. This is not recommended, and he did not get any skin illness (thank god) but it's all about the little things in life. 

Integrity | Integrity is everything. Reputation is everything. Without it, we are nothing- may be dramatic, but it's truth. Working in an environment where many politicians (on both sides of the aisle) have compromised their integrity, I have seen firsthand the destruction. 

Ending the post on an upbeat note, but will be back very soon (promise) with more!