Being 27-years-old by no means makes me old and wise... well, some might say it doesn't make me wise; however, I like to believe it makes me aware.

I've been through a lot in my life, who hasn't? Experience gives us perspective. While in those moments I would beg the question, "why me?" a lot of the time it felt as if the response back to me was, "why not you?" Valid. Each lesson allows us the beautiful opportunity to grow, as long as we allow it to.

Here are 27 things I have learned in my 27 years... so far:

andy dwyer i have no idea what im doing GIFGiphy

1. It's okay to ask for help.

2. Vulnerability is not a weakness, it's actually how we have true, genuine connections with people.

3. A lot of what set's us off or makes us angry, is coming from the shame we feel inside about that particular topic.

4. Acknowledge what you can control and stop driving yourself crazy about the rest.

5. Your shit is not my shit.

6. Slippers make me happy.

7. I am stronger than I think.

8. I am weaker than I think.

9. Your body is your oldest friend, take care of it.

10. The only person you're hurting by not forgiving and letting go is yourself.

11. Chocolate milk will never not be delicious.

12. They say people can't change and I say bullshit.

13. Learning a lesson is not failure; not trying is.

14. The greatest gift you can give yourself is letting go of the idea that you can please everyone.

15. It’s okay to say 'no' and set boundaries, it doesn't make you a bad person.

16. Octopus are nature's creepiest critters.

17. You can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to it.

18. Healing is your responsibility.

19. You're who you spend all your time with, treat yourself with love.

20. Having a true best friend is rare in life, and sometimes it's a four-legged friend.

21. Life can be hard, hangout with people that don't make it harder.

22. Groceries are expensive.

23. Your parents are human beings too.

24. What didn't work out for you, actually ended up really working out for you.

25. Your partner can't read your mind... cOmMUniCaTe.

26. You don't grow where you're comfortable.

27. I'm not where I thought I'd be in life at 27-years-old, and that's okay.

Thanks for caring about what I have to say. Catch me in another 27 years... God willing.