Life moves quickly. We as people are constantly evolving, looking to make a name for ourselves and cozy up to a future filled with the dreams and aspirations that we desire. Within these moments, we too move quickly. We act prematurely, comforting ourselves with the notion that things will work themselves out as they always do. But, what we forget is that we learn from each experience, and in conjunction we grow every day. When we take the time to reflect on all we have learned in our lives, we often recognize the fact that we wished we had known then all that we know now.

There was a time in my life where I was far harder on myself than I needed to be. I aimed for perfection in almost every area of my life because I found myself waist deep within the imperfections that were flooding my days. At times, absolutely nothing was going right, though the scariest part of this venture was that I was young. Rather, I was far too young to be pressuring myself in the ways that I was. I assumed it would be easier to avoid my challenges than to face them.

The older I grew, the more I realized this thought process could not be farther from the truth. I began to lighten up on myself and, instead of running from these imperfections, I chose to embrace them in full. I have come to understand that, no matter how hard one tries in life, the ideals they strive for may not always be reciprocal, though you can choose to shape the cards you have been dealt into a life that is ever so beautiful. Choosing to accept that life has not been, is not, and will never be fully perfect was my call to reality. I wish I knew then all that I know now.