In the last three years, I have been through so many ups and downs and life has taken me on a rollercoaster ride, both mentally and emotionally. All I can say is that I am proud of who I’ve become and proud that I’ve learned so much about myself after I moved away from home to attend college. I have learned that I am capable of many things that I never knew I could do, I am very independent and much more. I know I have much more to learn in life, but I think I’ve got a good grasp of this whole ‘life’ thing until life throws me another curveball.
I am a homebody and I love it.
Having freedom in college, I should be going out exploring and enjoying everything life has to offer. Don’t get me wrong, I did that my freshman and sophomore year and enjoyed it – but now I enjoy a quiet night at home. I like Netflix and chilling with a bowl of ice cream or decorating my planner. I don’t really like being around people that often because honestly, I get a headache from having a long conversation. I’d rather just have time to myself with some good music (shout-out to Kendrick Lamar for that hot fire album he just dropped).
I am good at saving money.
When I started my first job as a Sign-In Assistant at HPU’s tutoring center, I would blow my paychecks and I was so excited to have money of my own. Then when I realized I wanted to do more in life, I wanted more than just materialistic things. I opened up a savings account and I’ve been saving ever since. This provided me the chance to finally buy my family something nice for Christmas and I traveled to Lana’i and Maui in the past year. Never would I have thought I would have the funding for these things, but with putting money away and meal prepping to save money (shameless promo to my first article I wrote for Her Campus) I learned that I am capable of doing what I want to do and the results are satisfying.
I am a creature of habit.
I worked myself into an everyday routine to the point that if I break it, it will annoy me so bad. If I went through my whole daytime through nighttime routine this article would be a hefty one but long story short, I am one who has to do 80% of things the same every day, if not I will hit a funk. I figured this out my spring semester of sophomore year during spring break. I just created this routine for morning and night every day since I didn’t have classes but I felt awesome because I was being productive without having to work hard to achieve it. These were habits that took little to no effort either, some habits I have developed are making coffee once I wake up, making my bed before I leave to go anywhere, and picking up my clothes off the ground. They seem like small everyday things but I feel GOOD when I accomplish them and I am sure you will too if you are seeking to create a routine of your own.
I’ve learned to let people into my life more often than usual.
I may seem like a very loud and obnoxious person at times, but I can also be very closed off, which is why I label myself as an “extroverted introvert.” Over the past two years in college, I have made lifetime friends that I consider “ohana” or family. I was never usually the one to turn to friends for help because I didn’t want to be needy and annoying, but dang has that changed. I have a few friends that I turn to and just full on vent to and bless them for sitting there and listening. I never had that support in high school from my past friends and it is nice to have friends that are truly there for you. I opened myself up more than I ever did these past couple of years and it feels nice to actually let people see a side of you that is vulnerable and shy.
Hopefully this article can help you reflect on the traits you’ve accumulated and developed while growing up. Writing this was difficult for me but I have so much to learn and I am excited to grow and learn even more about what I am capable of and just understand that this is me. Although these are not life-changing, full on 360 turns in my life, these are traits that have just helped me to understand who I really am and what I am ready for in the future.