5 Things I've Learned by Growing Up

You define your confidence.
I'm still a very shy person. I think that's a trait I'll always have but I'm okay with it. I was never okay with how low my confidence used to be. Nowadays, I still get nervous when there's a lot of attention on me, but my immediate thought is no longer a negative one. I don't automatically think people are looking at me because they've spotted one of my insecurities. That's all because I slowly began to realise my increase in confidence is all about what's in my mind, not what I can see in the mirror. I began to adopt the "I don't care" attitude about a lot of things which can be a blessing and a curse. When I shop, I don't buy clothes two sizes bigger or avoid shoes with heels, and that's a pretty big step for me.

Turn comparison into motivation.
It's incredibly easy to see another blogger, or just another person and begin over analysing and comparing what you have with what they have. It's not difficult to scroll through Instagram and immediately begin to correlate appearances. When I first started blogging, I used to compare my blog with every other blog I came across - it's not healthy. Now when I stalk other blogs, (which I live to do), I realise how this amazing community is expanding and how much I love being a part of it. It become motivation to continue doing what I love rather than jealously and a really unhealthy attitude.

I want to see the world.
There's something so fascinating when learning about new places. Developing the mind and beginning to understand cultures and different ways of living keeps each day interesting. Do research from home and creating Pinterest boards is fun, but I know my future plans include jetting off to every edge of the Earth. A different view every month is what I'd like to achieve and my journey to Oslo taught me that. Travelling is an experience that can be very humbling, but also opens your eyes to the world around you.

I want/need more friends.
I know followers aren't friends, but I can't lie, having those few people say nice things to you every so often is something that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. It doesn't have to be a comment, it could be a tweet or even a tumblr message. I'm not exactly the most the social butterfly in the North, but I know how much I love the social aspect of blogging - it's something I really want to expand.

The working world is not all it's cracked up to be.
I can't wait to one day say "started from the bottom now we're here" because at the moment, the bottom isn't too fun. School always made out like the working world was going to be an easy journey. Once you're done with education, you'd immediately get a job (doesn't happen) and success just flows in (doesn't happen either). It takes a whole lot of hard work and elbow grease to work your way to the top, and at 19 I still have a long way to go.