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Sanaa Syed

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21 things I learned at 21

It was my birthday today. I took some time to reflect on things I learned at 21, finishing school and starting a full time job.

  1. it's really okay not to know everything.
  2. slow mornings >>>
  3. sleeping earlier will make you feel 10x better when you wake up
  4. not everyone you meet is meant to stay in your life for longer than a certain period of time
  5. life can be more meaningful with goals but also remember that the grass will always seem greener on the other side
  6. you're more critical of yourself than others are of you
  7. even engineers who have been in the industry for a long time don't know everything but having the bigger picture helps you see the gaps and formulate the right questions to ask
  8. don't overthink your answers, you know more than you give yourself credit for
  9. know what you want, and say no to what you don't
  10. ^ but also say yes to fun spontaneous experiences before your indecisiveness takes over
  11. it's perfectly fine to prioritize connecting with those who actively reach out to you rather than constantly initiating contact yourself
  12. ^ but also, it's so easy to lose contact with close friends with all the growing up and busy schedules so cherish the times you ahve together
  13. do good work and you will be rewarded but make it known!
  14. tea is actually good (if you don't overboil the water and steep it for too long)
  15. do things, tell people
  16. invest in yourself
  17. your parents will be there for you in thick and thin as long as you allow them to be
  18. life throws so many plot twists and times can be bad for a long time but have faith and resilience
  19. don't do things you wouldn't want your future kids to do
  20. deen > dunya, it's important to build relationships around deen
  21. you can't do everything yourself and that's okay