18 Things I Learned in 2017

Hello there, peculiar treasures! It's me, Hannah, and today we're going to be diving into some deep stuff. Now, one thing you should know about me is that I love to make lists, and with the year 2017 coming to a close (as well as the year 2018 just around the corner!) I've decided to share with you a list of 18 Things I Learned in 2017--or rather, 18 Things That Would Be Good to Know for 2018. (Correction: I enjoy making lists, but I'm not the best at titling them! 😂) Without further ado:

18 Things I Learned in 2017 That Would Be Good to Know for 2018

1. There will be days when you feel pretty, and there will be days when you feel ugly. Savor the first, tolerate the second, but don't let the second make a home in you.
2. No one has it all together. I repeat, NO ONE.
3. Smiling really does make you feel better. & sometimes smiling is all you have. (P.S. A smile makes you look 10x friendlier & more beautiful.)
4. Don't be afraid to try new things. Try a new dish at that restaurant you always frequent. (On that note, try a new restaurant!) Try a new shade of lipstick. Try a new language. Try new things.
5. Forming small new healthy habits can improve your overall quality of life. I'm thinking of pushing my cuticles after every shower & getting a hair trim every 8 weeks, but it could also apply to emotional & spiritual health too.
6. Getting enough sleep really is important.
7. People are innately bad. I know you might be thinking, "Oh, poor child, who hurt you?" but the sooner you realize that everyone (including yourself) has an inborn sin nature, the sooner you can begin working toward accepting your flaws & improving yourself.
8. You can't manufacture the fruits of the Spirit within yourself--they all come from God, & only God. You can't produce them on your own, but you can exude them by focusing on being a reflection of God.
9. Never not embrace your quirks. They are what make you an individual--what make you you. And you are such an awesome, wonderful, fantastic thing. 😊
10. You can't change him. Period. Exclamation mark.
11. Honesty is the best policy, but likewise know your audience!
12. I know this sorta goes hand-in-hand(-in-hand) with 4 & 7, but this is important: "embrace who you really are,--likes, dislikes, talents, & flaws. It's only when you truly accept yourself--the good & the bad--that you can be at peace & enjoy the life you have been given . . . allow yourself to change. Growth often comes when you're willing to change. You must be open to new ideas & new experiences so you can learn & grow."*
13. Makeup itself is not inherently bad, but the dependence on makeup is unhealthy. This concept also applies to a lot of other things--food, money, people . . . as the Bible says: everything in moderation.
14. Drink your water. Just stop making excuses & do it already.
15. Question everything! Just because it's coming from a "good source" with "good intentions," doesn't mean it's good for you. Look at everything through a God-centered lens.
16. Take a chance. Step outside of your comfort zone. Let yourself change. So many regrets come from missed opportunities.
17. It's okay to be completely clueless about everything else in your life, but never not know what--& Who--you stand for.
18. Love. Always choose love. 💘

I know that was a lot of stuff to take in all at once, but don't feel overwhelmed! This isn't a test--in fact, I'm still learning a lot of these myself. Think of this list more like . . . food for thought. 🤔 Thanks for reading my ramblings! 😂 Until next time, much love, and God bless!

Hannah ♥

P.S. *The portion in quotation marks was adapted from the December 2017 issue of Brio magazine.