Day 171: Thirty-three things I've learned in 33 years of life

1. You can direct your own mood at any time (it isn't dependent on an external situation or person)

2. We are each solely responsible for our own happiness (no one else is responsible for this)

3. The things we gravitate towards most often are the things we like (even if we don't understand why or realize that we like them)

4. Self-awareness changes everything

5. Feelings aren't as scary as we are led to believe

6. It is okay - and important - to want things

7. The things we are intimidated by are often what we want the most

8. Judgments of others and situations are excuses to not see ourselves / feel what we really think or believe

9. If It makes You Happy - do it

10. The purpose of life is not to be 'productive' (this is still very much a work in progress for me)

11. Observation is the gateway to peace and calm

12. Insecurity and fear is no match for curiosity

13. You are so much more amazing than you can even see

14. 9.5 out of 10 times it's not about you - we're all just living in our own worlds without realizing it

15. You don't cause anyone else's feelings - and you're not responsible for them either

16. If you're interested in something - explore that interest

17. There is nothing wrong with you (outside of how you view yourself)

18. Take the time to understand your 'why' for everything

19. Don't 'should' on yourself

20. Get clear on your own definitions for everything

21. Nothing is easy / comes naturally when you're first getting started

22. Learn from everything - present, past, distant past and even future goals / ambitions

23. You are getting better and more amazing with age

24. Authenticity is best friends with confidence

25. We are all on our own timeline (meaning we will have experiences in our own time - not necessarily when society tells us they should happen)

26. You can't 'fix' anyone, take away their pain, or learn life lessons for them

27. Dairy makes you break out (no, just me?)

28. Listen to your body

29. If the thought crosses to your mind, don't ignore it (even if nothing comes from it. This is how you start strengthening intuition)

30. Dismantle society's life benchmarks and what they really mean and look like for you (ex- getting married, having kids, dating, etc.)

31. There are different types of friendship - and all are valuable, even if they don't last forever

32. Trust yourself

33. You are complete all on your own