22
Sums it up
22 was an absurd one. Strange, beautiful, & chaotic. A year ago today, I was camping on the Oregon coast with a group of people who I love a whole lot. I had just graduated college and moved out of the house I lived in with my best friends. I had no idea what this year would look like at that point in time, but I did know that I was ready to move on from institutionalized education and from living in Denver. I felt this strong need to find something bigger and wilder; to meet new people and connect with the earth in ways I hadn’t experienced before. So I found it. Since camping on the Oregon coast a year ago, I have been to eleven countries outside the US. I connected with new friends & rekindled with old ones, skied in places I could only dream of, connected with the mountains through movement, took some scary falls, got injured, worked through the existential dread of said falls & injuries, healed, travelled with people, travelled alone, made family with strangers, slept on couches, slept outside, danced a lot, made some profound realizations about the state of the world and how I want to exist in it, cried some, laughed a fuck ton, felt deeply isolated, felt deeply loved/known, found comfort & empowerment in being alone in nature, fed my soul, and through it all, always listened to my intuition.
It was definitely the most difficult, fulfilling year I’ve ever lived, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Things work out in odd & mysterious ways, so I’m trusting that process and taking things as they come. Whether I want 23 to be as absurd as 22, I’m not quite sure.. but we’ll just have to see.
In honor of turning 23 today, here is a random list of advice I’m giving to myself for this new year:
Read as much as you goddamn can. Stories, knowledge, and art are infinite, so soak up as much of it as possible. Knowledge is power, and also, knowing random things about the world is cool as fuck
Write consistently even if you don’t feel like it. Doesn’t matter if it’s shit, just get it down and you will see the effects in other aspects of your life.
Try to create as much as you consume
Skiing is your first love. It’s self expression & art & play. Work to progress, but never let external factors take that love away from you.
Keep your energy open. Say yes to random experiences.
Talk to strangers if you feel magnetized towards them- they’re probably meant to be your friend
If you make a connection with someone- enjoy it, see where it takes you, nurture the connection- but don’t let it destroy you if it doesn’t turn out how you thought it would. Trust that the right people will come in and out of your life if you stay true to your energy
If you feel sad, listen to Neil young
If you want inspiration to write, listen to Noname, Courtney Barnett, Little Simz, and a Tribe Called Quest
If you feel angry and/or fucking crazy about the state of the world, listen to Amyl and the Sniffers (any girl rock will do)
If you are biking/running/skiing in the woods by yourself, listen to A Forest by the Cure
Never stop discovering music (thank god Lucy will never let that happen)
When you get this debilitating feeling of loneliness/sadness, go move your body outside, you will literally be cured of it.
Take care of your knees (like for real, you don’t have a choice) (oh and your shoulder too)
Never ever let a man ruin your day. Read a book, do some art, do literally any of the multiple activities you do that bring you joy. Watch New Girl & have a bit of a laugh instead.
Be better at communicating with people you love. It’s not that hard, idiot.
Pitch stories every week if you actually want to make semi-mediocre money as a freelance journalist
Grab a magazine, cut some shit up, and make a collage. It’s the perfect alternative to a doomscroll
Don’t fucking doomscroll
Maybe don’t go completely broke
