Making Mistakes

Growing up is hard to do. As we get older and begin to look back on our lives we realize how much of adulthood is nothing like it was in high school or college. It is harder to meet people, make friends, make a living, and keep your sanity, for that matter... I see many of my friends getting engaged and married, starting their careers, and some even starting families! I can't help but feel a little behind since I'm still trying to figure my life out.

When I was in middle school, I had it all planned out. I was going to finish college, start working, get married soon after, and have a couple of kids before I turned 30. Now, that seems like an utterly ridiculous time frame... Things may not have gone exactly to plan--I've changed my career path, I have had a number of rocky relationships, and it is definitely hard-times financially--but I still think I can manage a really awesome and even better future than the one I dreamed of in middle school.

I have found that the biggest part of growing up is making mistakes. It's that feeling of, "I MUST be an adult because I have gotten myself into a big mess and now I need to get myself out of it!" There is no one there to hold my hand anymore. It's all on me. I realize now that life is challenging us all with obstacle after obstacle. Struggling is expected. We all make mistakes, and, yes, sometimes we even fail, but no matter how bad things seem to get, it is important to remember that we can persevere.

We must never stop trying. It is very rare that we get things right the first time we try, but it's also important to not repeat your mistakes. If you are committing the same mistake over and over again then you are doing something wrong. Best to revise your attitude, reevaluate your strategy, and follow your heart. Each mistake we do not repeat makes us stronger, and that is an essential part of growing up.

Being a grown-up is tough, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun! Through the stressful times of being busy at work, doing a massive load of laundry, or paying bills, I just remind myself to be proud of how far I have come, all that I have accomplished, and all the wonderful experiences yet to be had. I'm living la pura vida :)