I Wish I Knew Then All That I Know Now | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

I Wish I Knew Then All That I Know Now

There was a time in my life where I was far harder on myself than I needed to be.

65
I Wish I Knew Then All That I Know Now
Gina Brennan

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.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

399997
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

271008
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments