#TBT High School Graduation

#tbt High School Graduation | Hannah & Husband

Yep, that’s us! 11 years ago and a year into our relationship. How crazy is that?

As high school graduation time rolls around and all the related activities that go with it, I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I’ve learned since high school.

I was telling someone just the other day that this ten year span has been weird because it went a little something like this:

2004: Hannah graduates from high school and can’t believe how many classes there are to choose from in the freshman catalog. She’s going to learn everything! 

2005: 3 semesters and 14 majors later, Hannah settles on graphic design. She has found her true calling, and she will be an artist! 

2009: Hannah graduates from college. She is completely convinced that she does, in fact, know everything.

Fall, 2009: Hannah starts making her way in the real world; finds she was sorely mistaken. 

Which really brings us to present day, 2015: Below are a few things I’ve named when talking to young ladies and gents about their next steps. It borders on slightly sentimental & gets terrifyingly close to that “Dance like nobody’s watching” malarkey. Please let this slide for posterity’s sake.

Make the effort to be an active learner. This expands your worldview, but also really helps the way you approach encounters with others. Every person and situation can teach you something, but it helps to be actively looking for these moments.

Listen with discernment. Lots of people will tell you lots of things. It’s your job to discern what you actually take to heart. Kick the rest to the curb!

Be willing to say when you don’t know. With knowledge comes the discernment to know your limitations. This doesn’t mean you can’t learn it. It just means you’re being honest with yourself and respectful of the people asking something of you.

Be confident when do know. Yesterday, I posted this on Facebook:

Ladies (& ‪#‎notetoself‬): Stop preceding statements with “I feel like…” Just say your opinion with confidence and trust your own know-how. Then, stop talking.

It’s not that I think this is a exclusively female issue, but I do believe it’s a predominantly female issue. Why are we raising girls to feel the need to qualify every statement they make?! Be confident in your own abilities! Be proud of your gifts and recognize your achievements.

The people in my life that I believe are #killingitasagrownup (my lady Lish’s phraseology) make time for killer hobbies. Challenge yourself to try new things, stretch your brain, and blow off steam.

What’s one thing you wish you’d been told at 18?

 

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