#16 on twenty
sharing 20 things I have learnt at 20.
Hi! I turned twenty today and took a moment to reflect on the eventful two decades I’ve spent on this earth. I am so grateful for the people I’ve met so far. Everyone has taught me some lesson, either good or bad, depending on how I look at it. This piece is also a reminder to myself that I am capable of healing, nurturing, caring for myself, and building the reality I want to live every day in the years to come.
I have always been doubtful, scared of forming opinions due to the fear of being judged, and my own biggest critic for most of my life. However, I never let go of that small voice in my head that kept saying that I had something valuable to share with the world. Even in times when I doubted myself the most, I always chased that feeling to figure out my place in this world. Today, I am so happy to see how i’ve navigated ambiguity, self-doubt, and confusion about the future to develop an unshakeable belief in myself. Not to forget, this has all happened because of the people who surround me. I have learned and am still learning how to live from them, and I think I love how it’s going so far.
I wanted to share twenty things that I have learned or thought about deeply in my life that have greatly influenced how I live right now. I call them the fundamental principles of my life.
get good at hearing stories & sharing them. “there isn't anyone you couldn't love once you've heard their story.”
become an autodidact. everything is learnable.
your parents are also people. try to forgive them for all the unintended hurt they’ve caused and appreciate how hard they try.
the work teaches you how to do it.
invest in the things that make you feel happy and make your life better.
“it’s not who are that holds you back, it’s who you think you are not.”
always be a dot collector. collect and connect as much as you can. be an expert in looking at the world as a work of art made by infinite dots.
practice self-surrender. give in to how you are and not give up yourself to become someone you want to be.
“what is to give light must endure burning.” whenever you’re in pain or feel discomfort, remember you’re growing and becoming more capable of love.
“man ka ho to accha, na ho to zada accha"
believe in yourself to the point of delusion.
every difficult conversation with someone deepens your relationship with them.
self-discipline is the strongest form of self-love.
take extreme ownership of your work and your emotions.
take space. allow others to feel your presence. show that you care. talk about how people have positively impacted you. allow yourself to feel loved.
“for whatever action that scares you, remember this surefire way to eliminate the fear: do it 100 times."
never do something that you don’t believe in.
the world only seems hateful because hatred is loud, and love is quiet.
remember how you’ve built yourself over the years. trust your ability to make it through tough times and ambiguous times.
i am young, and i am learning how to live.
I got to celebrate my 19th in London last year!!
References
1- Mary Lou Kownacki, 6- Jean-Michel Basquiat, 9- Victor Frankl, 10- Harivansh Rai Bacchan, 16- Julie Zhuo
Thank you for reading this piece! Love you.
Tanisha
Wonderful read. Happy birthday to you! You are wise beyond your years :)