26 Things I've Learned in 26 Years

It's my 26th birthday today, which is, in the grand scheme of things, incredibly young. However, it's also the oldest I've ever been, which can feel daunting. The mid-twenties is when your life's path starts drastically diverging from those you grew up with. My 26 is not the same as an old friend's, or my current friend's, or anyone else's on this earth. I'm not scared though, going in to this year. At long last, I feel like I am gradually finding my footing. 

Usually I wax poetic about my deepest thoughts and feelings, but 26 is such a blah age (celebration-wise) that I thought I would return to form with a fun* list of lessons I've learned in my years. The last time I did one of these was for my 20th birthday and I've grown a lot since then (thank God). Without further ado...

1. The ideal caffeine consumption schedule involves an early morning latte, a half-caf coffee the moment you get to work, and a full-caf coffee sometime around 2pm. I've spent a decade perfecting this. Results may vary.

2. Don't pay too much attention to your credit score. Obviously, make sure you're good but don't freak out when it drops a few points one week. Turns out these things fluctuate! Pay your card on time, don't stress. Easier said than done. 

3. Yelling never makes things easier. I'm not one to raise my voice when I'm upset. I find it expends too much energy and overshadows your valid emotions. Crying however... that may be acceptable. 

4. Don't give your cats a brand new type of food one day before a six hour car ride. If you do, bring a trash bag and wipes... 

5. You don't have to be the best dressed person in the room, but life is more fun when you go out of your comfort zone, fashion-wise. Get those denim platform boots! Wear a full-blown costume to the ren-faire! Buy the coat with a giant fur collar. 

6. Career related stress is, generally, never as big of a deal as it seems in the moment. Take a deep breath and move through your to-do list in an orderly fashion. Remember it's PR not the ER. Unless you work in the ER. In that case, my condolences and thank you for all you do. 

7. Learn to be ok with having a variety of friends. Some are hang out every-week friends. Some are see each other monthly friends. Some are quarterly catch up friends. Some are long-distance texting friends. Not all friends show up the exact same but that doesn't devalue their worth. In fact, it's best for your sanity to have all of the above. 

8. Try that dirty gin martini. It will take about three months and four different bars before you find one you really like and then you'll be hooked. Also to date the only drink I've found that consistently comes with a little snack.

9. Toilets should not make a constant noise and if they do, there is a chance you've flushed 6,000 gallons of water in less than a week. 

10. Get at least 30 minutes of fresh air daily. Probably more. Bare minimum - 30 minutes. 

11. Working out does make you feel like less of an overall sack of flour. Being sore is a little addicting. Seeing results is more addicting. Naps and scrolling every social media platform available still seems to be the more intriguing option. 

12. The perfect reading pattern includes padding every serious book with a Kindle Unlimited romantasy. Ex: Crying in H-Mart followed by Spark of the Everflame. Rinse & repeat. 

13. Everything is that serious. Nothing is that serious. It's all just as it is.  Go with the flow to the best of your ability. 

14. Travel as much as you can. It's easier when you have a job that carts you off to new places a few times per year. If this is not a viable option, still find a way to see new places. Don't underestimate a weekend trip!

15. Not all home cooked meals are healthy. Every single home cooked meal is good for you. 

16. Charging your iPhone with a laptop charger will murder the battery. But... it does charge it pretty quickly. 

17. You actually don't always "grow out" of asthma. Sometimes it sends you to the hospital at the ripe age of twenty-five. If you do go to the hospital at 8pm on a Friday night, and you have time to pack a bag, bring a book and a portable charger. Have an amazing friend willing to pick you up at 4am when your phone is at 3% and will die before an Uber can arrive. 

18.  Don't impulsively adopt a kitten. If you do, ensure that it is Gilbert. Do adopt a Gilbert. 

19. Do go to the all inclusive resort. They are, unfortunately, as worth it as everyone says. 

20. Generative ai is mostly evil. Use at your (and the planet's) own risk. 

21. Find the fine line between being confident and being obnoxious. Everyone loves the person who lights up a room. Nobody likes the person who sucks energy from the room. 

22. Stop. Buying. Sunglasses. You lose them immediately and yet that one shitty pair from three years ago is everywhere you turn. Just stick with those. 

23. Start saying "I love you" more to those who matter. If you can't, an ily with a heart emoji will suffice. 

24. Taco Bell is not that good! You will have people shove it down your throat. You will have those who do not believe that you don't enjoy it. You will have the Taco Bell truthers trying to convince you it's the best inauthentic taco they've ever had. Anyone saying this has not had Condado. 

25. Stop pretending you've watched a movie when you have, in actuality, just watched a YouTube recap. It's not the same thing. This rule doesn't apply to really scary horror movies or The Godfather. You can pretend you've seen those. 

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26. Life can be so fun. It can also be incredibly hard. I have small panics daily, and large panics more often than I would like. Every day, I think something may be incredibly wrong with me. However, I also laugh a lot, and smile more often. I walk through the city with my work bag and trench coat and think how lucky I feel. I go to parties and hang outs with old and new friends. The sun shines more and more
frequently these days. There will always be families in the park, and dogs going on walks. Friends will always be grabbing drinks with one another. There will always be a new book to read, a new dessert to try, a new hairstyle to sport, a new person to love. Just keep on moving forward one day at a time. 

I could probably go on, but I guess I'll just have to keep adding to this list from here on out. 

Looking forward to my next trip around the sun, 

Sam

*Not my claim. 

Sorry, bonus tip: OPI press on nails are the best. I've tried at least four brands and something about the OPI ones... They've charmed me.