Today I Learned...

Everyday for the year of 2015, I'm going to post a selfie from that day (no matter what I look like) and describe one thing I learned on that particular day. I want to prove that you can learn something and have a chance to grow as a person everyday. And it also gives me a chance to look back to the past and be reminded of how I personally have changed.

[todayilearned2015]

MARCH 3

I look significantly less tan from yesterday’s picture. Hmm weird.

Today I learned that sometimes you have to let people do their own thing, even if you may not agree with it. You can try to help the person see your point of view, but in the end it’s their decision and it’s just best to let it go at that point. I was part of an argument today that I didn’t not want to be a part of. But it’s fine now so whatever. *shrugs*

[todayilearned2015]

MARCH 3 2025

My home office set up!

I agree. You can’t control what other people do, but you can control your own reactions and responses. It’s also so hard to change someone’s POV when they’ve already made up their mind. They will do whatever they can to maintain their mindset, even if it’s delusion.

Im learning more and more that I just need to live by my own standards and if people have a problem with that (that’s not just a genuine concern for my well-being) then they can just deal with it.

[todayilearned2015]

MARCH 1&2

I did it again…ughhhhhh sorryyyy

Well yesterday I learned that my friends are amazing and my living situation for next year is all taken care of. I am soooooo happy about that because I’ve been worrying about that for weeks.

Today I learned how nice it is when you DON’T procrastinate till the morning of. It’s only 8:10 PM, and I only have to write two more pages and everything will be done for my psych class tomorrow. Yayyyyy!!! (Don’t ask me about biostats though *coughs* what)

[todayilearned2015]

MARCH 1 & 2 2025

I did have really good friends back then. I’m so glad I still talk to most of them now! In fact we’re planning another day trip together! This is why you go to college folks. If I never went I wouldn’t have met my now husband or had as many friends as I do. College friendships are really special.

Again with the procrastination. It just baffles me every time how bad it used to be! Ever since I learned the 20 minute rule, I have been able to stay more on track with assignments. What is the 20 minute rule?

Well…I changed it a little bit, but the original rule was just to give yourself 20 minutes of uninterrupted you-time per day. No matter what. Always make time for that 20 minutes.

But I changed that a little to be 20 minutes on/20 minutes off throughout the day. Now when I work from home I start at 9, work 20 min, then do something else for 20 min, then go back to work, and it’s just a back and forth. Working in smaller time chunks really re-shaped my entire perspective on doing anything you don’t want to do. And I’m so much better because of it. Am I perfect? No…but I still have a job after 6 years so that’s good at least haha

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 27 & 28

Ugh I promised myself I wouldn’t do that again!

Okay yesterday I learned that you know you’re with the right people if you all act like you’re drunk around each other. But that may have been because of the sleep deprivation we all had last night. Again I reiterate: get some sleep!

Today I learned that everyone has cranky days. They don’t mean to be nasty it’s just they are sick/haven’t gotten sleep/mad about something else, whatever. And those cranky days don’t last forever, they let up sooner or later. Your friends love you, they really do!

I also learned that even with extremely high heels I’m not as tall as most of my friends…ugh.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 27 & 28 2025

Sigh….at least February is over.

Sleep is a very important thing, and a lack of sleep can mean a whole lot of difference in the way you act around other people and present yourself. Sleep is not only healthy but it gives you a better mood, more empathy, more motivation, etc. I think it’s also one of the easiest things to do to lose weight, believe it or not. No you don’t lose 100 pounds overnight but 1. You can’t eat when you sleep, and 2. You burn more calories sleeping than watching tv. Maybe it’s a metabolism thing.

I guess this is my PSA….sleep is good! If you regularly get 5 or less hours and you are able to get more, get more!

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 26

God I want it to be summer again.

Today I learned how self-conscious I really am. Like it’s BAD. It prevents me from doing a lot of things with other people, like working out for example. My friends keep asking if I want to work out and I always say sure but never go because I’m too afraid people will look at me. Like I do workouts in my room and stuff, but I just can’t do it in front of other people. I thought I got rid of this fear when I finally got over my stage fright…ugh…

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 26 2025

I’m so glad I overcame my fear at the gym since then! It’s so nice to have access to all this equipment and work on your full workout routine without worrying about others maybe looking at you. 99% of the time they’re focused on their own stuff. It also helps when you know how to use the equipment. Back then I barely knew how to use a treadmill…(and I was still thin…ughhh.)

Nowadays I don’t go to the gym because I never feel like I have time….but I really really really really need to…

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 25

Today I learned that I may need more friends not just in general but to live with next year. Right now I just have one friend who’s willing to live with me and I want to be closer to my guy friends but I’m more friends with them than she is so she may want to live somewhere else and what about the third friend…ugh I don’t know!!

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 25 2025

I woke up like dis

Oh yeah I remember this, some time before the end of the school year we have to pick who we’ll live with next year and I was stressing. I made friends but all the gals want to live with each other and I was hanging out more with my guy friends at the time. I didn’t want to live with randos. Luckily that wasn’t the case so yeet.

But yeah this is something I could still stress about now. But right now I stress about much bigger things….

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 24

Oh my god…

Today I learned that I hate my floor now. Apparently there have been a ton of incidents over the past couple weeks that I don’t really know about because I don’t really stay on my floor. I won’t go into great detail what the incidents were, but it all boils down to disrespecting the RA’s and it all just makes me mad. It’s also funny that people don’t even try to be sneaky about breaking the rules, it’s like they’re pretending the rules don’t exist at all. I’m not a goody two shoes or anything because I actually broke some rules but tiny ones occasionally. These people are insane…ugh. I don’t know why people think they can literally do whatever they want just because their mommy isn’t there to catch them. It’s sad. Respect the rules people. Come on.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 24 2025

I gots my switch!

So there’s harmless rule breaking and then there’s just being a jerk. To me it’s like having your friends over past curfew or sneaking in a bottle of vodka. I can’t remember what the guys on my floor did but I’m sure they were being complete assholes and doing shit on purpose just to piss the RA’s off. Like, are you 4?!?

Some people when they get to college they go absolutely crazy because it’s the first time they’re independent and they feel like they can do anything and face no consequences, cuz yeah, that’s totally how adult life works.

Look, I’m not saying don’t have fun at all, but don’t have fun at the expense of someone else. No one will want to be around you. Unless you like it that way I guess, in which case then do you.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 23

Yeah I have no excuse. NETFLIX!

Today I learned that others can have a great influence on your life. In this case, relationships. My one friend dated this guy that we all thought was terrible but she dated him anyway and they broke up 3 months later. Now she’s dating someone else and he’s SUCH A BETTER FIT FOR HER. It’s really cute actually. And you can tell she’s happier and making wiser choices because of our influence. So my advice would be, listen to your friends’ opinions before you do something big. They want what’s best for you and sometimes it’s nice to get some outside thoughts and options. You don’t HAVE to do what they say if you think what you’re doing is the right choice, but listen anyway.

Let’s see what I’ll learn in the next couple hours :)

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 23 2025

Say hello to my glassware cabinet!

I agree, the people in your life, in any kind of relationship, can influence how you act. I know that my husband and I are starting to act more like each other. That’s why it’s important to always surround yourself with great people, it can also influence how you view yourself too!

Btw I think I remember this relationship and if I remember correctly it also doesn’t last very long! lol, this person had like 6 boyfriends in college. And that’s fine. College is there for that!

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 22

Today I learned…uhhhhhh….I really don’t know…look at my huurrrrr!

Haha no I learned not to be the only one of your friends that is drunk because it’ll piss everyone off. I wasn’t the drunk friend I swear. But if my friends and I did drink, I would most likely be the sober one that has to take care of everybody…yay can’t wait for that.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 22 2025

Sad old lady…lol

At this point I can only do these posts when I have time to do them. I’m like a month late….

My experience with drunk people has been pretty limited before college. I knew when people drank alcohol too much they got loud and silly. It happened at family parties all the time. It used to scare me a little when it happened because my parents would turn into different people. Nothing bad, just different, and me having the autism, anything different was scary.

I just don’t handle change and transition well, and knowing my friends are slightly different when they drink is part of what made me so anxious. But I know this will be a big topic in my March posts so I’ll stop here.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 21

Today I learned not to make assumptions about people unless you know them like the back of your hand. You may think you know a person but they may be hiding more then you realize. There are some dark secrets I still don’t know about my new friends and maybe even my old ones. And the point is not to be snoopy to find them out. Let them be ready tell you, because when they finally do, it means they trust you enough to know. And that’s pretty awesome.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 21 2025

[gets on soap box]

I think a part of what’s “wrong” with the world today is the fact that everyone is hiding behind screens (including me lol) and that makes people so much more judgmental of others on social media and even in person. Just reading one negative fact about someone, (I mean, unless they straight up murdered or raped somebody), isn’t supposed to paint the whole picture. Ha. Get it? Cuz I posted a pic of my art in the background….

Anyway. I think about movies like Zootopia which is always going to get praise from me for how they handed racism. They made it so as BOTH sides had negative stereotypes that harmed individuals. Predators were dangerous, and prey were weak and dumb. Those stereotypes had consequences for the characters, who are just trying to live their lives.

You see a person’s photo on the internet, and you immediately have thoughts. Maybe positive, maybe negative. But you’re never going to really know who they are based on that one photo unless you’re best friends with them.

People are afraid of what they don’t know. So let’s fix that. I’m not saying we should all hold hands and sing Kumbaya, but if we make an effort to understand and learn about each other, like we do with our closest friends, the world would be a much less judgmental place. And there would be less people typing hate comments on social media as if it was their job.

[gets off soap box. Trips and falls]

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 20

Me and Hedwig

Today I learned that I have changed so much in just the past few months since I started college. I remember sophomore year of high school, aka the year of hell and loneliness. That was literally my most depressing school year because all my grade school friends, who went to a different high school, had their own friends, and I still haven’t really made any yet. Almost every weekend was spent at home because I was too shy to instigate any plans. I was too shy, period. I cried so much that year because I was so depressed about it.

Today, just 3 short years later, I’m hanging with the friends I made, by myself, talking about inappropriate things like its nothing, and for once I’m not the awkward girl in the background, I’m part of the show and I’m FUCKING ROCKIN’ IT! Yeah the pic doesn’t really look inappro-pro, but honestly this is probably the happiest I have ever been in my life. And I’m proud that I made it this far without completely crashing and burning.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 20 2025

I’m really getting far behind with these….sorry.

It’s funny, I flip flopped a lot from loving my friends to being scared of them. This was part of the culture shock I experienced because I was sheltered for so long.

But this day I was SO proud of myself for just getting out there and making friends. It was something I didn’t do much in grade school and high school. I feel that every year I get more and more social and I still feel that today. I’m able to talk to colleagues at work, make phone calls (although I still need some prep work for that) but I’m just so thankful that I allowed my self to just get out there even though it was a little scary. Sit at a table of people you didn’t know. Say hi and introduce yourself. Small talk that gradually turns into meaningful conversation. It was a big step for me. Of course I still get nervous, but you just gotta push through it. It’s the only way really. And you find out that it’s not as bad as it seems. In fact you might be really happy you did it.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 19

Today was a fun-filled drama-packed day. Ugh. I’m so happy I’m going to bed now and no classes tomorrow cuz we’re in the middle of the second Ice age yeeaaahhh!!

Today I learned that when a person is pissed about something, you just let them be. Don’t torment them, don’t make fun of them, just leave them alone to deal with their problems especially if they ask you to. So on my main blog I said that I had one of my best friends snap at me and yell at me to leave, this is what I’m talking about. He wasn’t mad at me, he was mad at something else, so it’s not like this ruined anything, just made things a tad more awkward…but we’ll muddle through.

Also, I learned how one person can influence you so much negatively, that you become like them and don’t have any right to say what you really feel anymore. If you are in a relationship where your partner isn’t allowing you to do [insert huge list of random shit here] then that is a HUGE FUCKING RED FLAG TO DUMP THEIR ASS because they don’t care enough about you for you to be your own person.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 19 2025

Just watching tv….

Ahhhhh I remember this day. It never really happened again. But it still was kinda scary. But it is what happens when you push it too far with someone, despite their warnings. And I was being super annoying as fuck to him that day. No one should snap at you out of the blue, but also don’t torment them until they snap.

And yes, I hope by now that people my age realize that if someone you’re in a relationship with says you can’t do xyz and demands you follow their rules, they’re insecure and want to control you. Don’t stay with that person, for the love of god.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 18

This is me after I’ve just been tickled to death.

Today I learned that a good sleep everyday is VERY important. Like don’t pull all nighters if you don’t have to. Thankfully I’ve never had to but I value sleep more than I do school, so I had to suffer some academic consequences but it all worked out in the end, I got to college, I’m not dead, everything’s pretty good. But really don’t go under 6 hours every night cuz you will act like you’re a drunk, it’s scientifically proven.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 18 2025

I still value my sleep, which is why I’m pretty good at getting enough of it most of the time. And sleep is so important for staying healthy, I wish America put more value on our health and not overworking our population but, with the current admin in charge, not very hopeful. And honestly, no admin has really cared that much.

I think I only pulled one all-nighter in college, and it was horrible. I stand by what I said, don’t ever do it, it’s not worth it, just do your assignments when you’re supposed to and ask for help when you can.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 17

Today I learned how lying about something affects not only you but the people around you, and they lead to more lies that you have to pile up and keep straight in order to not get caught. It’s like, why waste the time? Just tell the truth. It earns you respect and you don’t have to worry about keeping a story straight, you already know it by heart. I just don’t get some people. They lie to protect their rep, get out of a situation, avoid confrontation, and/or not hurt another persons feelings. I can kinda get the last one, but I would rather be hit with the truth and be hurt by it, then never knowing what it is.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 17 2025

Im trying to figure out what this post was referencing. Probably more drama with that one friend at the time.

It really is true though. Lies can start small but they can easily build up and now you have a novel of lies you have to keep straight. As an almost 30 year old, that sounds exhaustinggggg! Im already stressed trying to stay afloat in general, i dont want to keep track of all the lies I’ve told. It’s just not in the cards for me. But I also agree if its gonna hurt their feelings and have 0 benefit to the person, like an opinion about their looks, just keep that to yourself.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 16

Today I learned that I might not have a chance with this dude I like BUT.

But.

It’s okay because there are tons of guys out there for me, why settle for someone who probably won’t like you back right? Besides, I think he works better as just a good friend. Anyway I just have to get out there and meet people like I said the other day. And maybe I’ll meet my actual first relationship.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 16 2025

Again. Whoops. Married him anyway. Only guy I’ve ever been with.

People do grow and change over time, and college years are the best place for that. He and I both needed to just be by ourselves for a while. In hindsight I wish I wasn’t so obsessed with him but he was cute and nice to me and not looking to get anything else out of being nice to me, so that made him really attractive haha.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 15

Today I learned that is it SO FUCKING COLD OUTSIDE I CANT BELIEVE I EVEN WENT TO MASS THIS MORNING. but I also learned that if I’m gonna survive college, I need just more than one friend group. I mean I do have individual friends that aren’t in the group but I’m talking about a whole other group. I have an idea on who else to be friends with but it’s gonna involve me getting out of my comfort zone and talking to them like they did to me.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 15 2025

I honestly don’t know who I was talking about in regards to making another friend. That probably means I never talked to them again lol.

I may have said this in a previous post this year, but college is literally the perfect place to make friends. After college it gets so much harder. So that’s my advice for anyone going to college, make friends now so that you’re not friendless afterwards. Because when you get to be my age, you either have to join local groups or have kids and befriend the other parents. It’s slim pickens out there.

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 14

Happy Valentine’s Day (no it’s not 3 AM the next day psssh)

Today I learned that maybe some friends just aren’t worth keeping around. As you guys know a lot of drama has sparked over the past couple weeks. And the more information I know the worse I feel about the situation. If you have tried to talk to the person countless times but they don’t listen to you, or they just ignore you in general, sometimes the best thing to do is to cut ties with them. It may be hard because at the same time you care about the person. But if they are not putting in the effort you are putting in, it’s just not fair for either of you to stay friends. That might be what this will come to, and even though I don’t like it, I think it’s for the best too. sigh…

And I spent the day boyfriendless but that’s okay because now I have friends who are single and awesome! :)

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 14 2025

Succulent pillow!

Yes, I still agree with this! But only if you’ve really tried with the person! These days people are normalizing cutting ties, and it’s making some people cut ties for dumb reasons or without even trying to work it out first. Obviously there are situations where cutting ties is necessary for safety reasons, but being an adult means having tough conversations and trying to compromise first before saying “see ya” and never wanting to interact with them again.

This pic wasn’t taken on the day obviously but I was super sick and my hubby got my flowers and chocolate anyway. Such a sweetie!

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 13

I meant to post this last night I swear

Today (ahem) I learned that spreading around something you don’t know if it’s true or not is just…wrong. Don’t be that person that starts unnecessary drama. Just…ugh

[todayilearned2015]

FEBRUARY 13 2025

Honestly this kind of stuff is such high school/early college crap. Like don’t spread rumors, don’t start drama. I know people who started drama just because they were bored and I just can’t comprehend that. I guess it’s just my need for everyone to get along all the time, but still. I keep forgetting how much drama I had to deal with back in college and it all started with one person spreading lies. It’s just crazy what some people will do to either get revenge or just try to “stir things up”