This Thanksgiving, I want to share just a short list of things that I am thankful for. Since I am 22 years old, I decided to choose one special something that makes me thankful to represent each year of my life.
1. Lena Dunham
I am thankful for Lena because she has opened the minds of many young women to the ideas of feminism. All growing up, I was like so many others. I thought that Feminism was about women being better than men, but that isn't what it means. Lena has shown people that equality of the sexes is important no mater what name it goes by. She's a popular icon in the media, bringing light to women's issues, because those issues are also human issues.
2. Growing Up With A Sister
I am so thankful for growing up with a sister. Even though Stephanie and I yearned for a brother, she taught me a lot. I was able to grow up with someone by my side who understood my experiences as a young woman. This ties right back into Feminism. She taught me that I can do anything, so really my sister was my first Feminist role model. I was lucky to have someone who understood broken hearts, periods, how it felt for a boy to snap your bra straps in the middle school hallway, among many other things. Thanks, sis.
3. Ex-Boyfriends
I'm thankful for those pesky ex's. I have loved and hated these men, but they gave me important lessons. They taught me that compliments aren't love, that disrespect isn't acceptable, that buying my dinner doesn't mean that I should marry someone, that physical violence is destructive to the confidence and self-worth of another person, but mostly, they taught me that I deserved better.
4. Friends That Became Family
For Jessica, Shelby, Lori, Moose, Kandice, Cydney, Juan, Sarah, Katherine, Tyler, Samantha, Lee, Raneem, Paige, Tom, Ashlie, Jess E., Eddie, Andrea, Geanette, Olivia, Caleb, Rachelle, Dustin, Nicholas, Nathan, and so may others.
5. Compliments
I am thankful for the compliments that other people give me. From saying "thank you" for something I said, to complimenting my appearance, these little things may seem so small in passing, but they mean a lot to me. I have had self-esteem issues since I was a child and I am really grateful to those who have helped me feel like I am enough. Thank you for helping me feel beautiful, inside and out, when I feel anything but.
6. Constructive Criticism
Along with compliments, I'm thankful for the criticism, too. The comments, tips, and feedback that people give me help me to be my best self. Even the mean critiques help me. So, keep that coming. In some cases, haters can absolutely be motivators!
7. Education
In May, I will have completed both high school and college. 18 years of education has been grueling at times, but I am thankful for it, nonetheless. My college degree was earned by just me, which gives me the proof that I am an intelligent and hard-working young woman. Powerful and full of potential.
8. Music
I am so incredibly thankful for music. I am consistently inspired, moved, motivated, empowered, and invigorated by music. (Shoutout to Taylor Swift, who always, always, always makes me feel like an individual, like I am worthy of greatness, like there is nothing I can't do.) Music has helped me push though a rough childhood and gave me a connection to a life that was greater than I could imagine in those years. I owe music my life.
9. Financial Stability
I'm thankful for being able to afford rent, food, clothing, and all my basic needs, along with so much more. So may people are struggling, but I have the ability to not only keep myself afloat, but help those around me who need it. I'm so grateful.
10. Sadie, My Civic
I am thankful for something that I earned, that I love, and that is reliable. She's a beautiful little car and I feel so blessed for the ability to have a possession that is a nice as my baby, Sadie.
11. Holidays
Holidays always make me thankful. These days are built into our culture, days that are made to celebrate the greatness of life and give us time to spend with people we love. I love the holiday season and the fact that people's kindness shines through. Holidays are a great example of how we could all be every day of the year.
12. Clocks and Calendars
Weird, I know. I am really thankful for the marking of time and events in our lives. Fun fact, even since I was in high school, I have kept my calendars and planners. I love that I can look back and see events and time that I spent with people marked on a page. Our memories don't always recall all the time we have spent with others that we love, but keeping old calendars allows me to take a look at my past and gives me a flood of those those special times.
13. My Mom
She makes me crazy, but she gave me life, and for that, along with her friendship, support, and love, I will forever be thankful. I love you, Mom.
14. Wine
And my mom also makes me thankful for wine. ;) Just kidding, Mom! But seriously a nice glass of wine on a stressful day or on Thanksgiving morning can make a day oh-so-grand!
15. My Fellow Writers
For feedback and being understanding of my freakish creative process, thank you.
16. Independence
I'm thankful for the ability to be myself, in every situation. I can't be anyone but myself, no matter the expectations of others. I will always be true to myself. I will never apologize for my personality, my opinions, or what I stand for. Love me or hate me, like it or leave it. I AM THANKFUL FOR ME.
17. My Dogs, Tucker and Shiloh
T's 5th birthday is on Monday (12/1) and I am thankful for the past 4 years that I have gotten to spend with him. Shiloh just turned 12 in September and I am thankful for all the years he has been in my life. Dogs bring light to even the darkest days. I owe these two guys so much!
18. Social Media
I'm actually thankful for social media because it gives me an opportunity to share so much with the people in my life. I love that I can share my opinions on anything from lipstick to Grand Jury rulings, and without social media, having a true voice wouldn't be so easy.
19. Stress-Baking
Lawd, where would I be without stress-baking?! I am so thankful that I enjoy baking and it is a stress reliever, because without baking, I would never make it through midterms, finals, projects, or college in general.
20. Glasses
I am so extremely grateful for science, especially that which lead to the creation of glasses. I have very bad vision (legally blind without my glasses!!) I cannot help but consider how different my life would be without clear vision. Also, I'm thankful for lenses wipes.
21. Tradition
Without tradition, I wouldn't have intense feelings of nostalgia, especially around the holidays. I am thankful for many memories that surround all the fun and wonderful traditions that I carry out every year. With these, I feel like I am carrying a part of my loved ones that are no longer living into the lives of those around me, with my husband, and someday, my children.
22. The Love of My Life, My Husband, Dylan
Every year, every day, every minute, I am in love. For that alone, I will be forever thankful. Dylan has taught me many lessons about life and about myself. He listens and understands my struggles and respects my past. He never makes me feel like I need to hide, or that I, as myself I am not enough. Dylan builds me up and continues to love me through my imperfections. I am thankful for 6 YEARS (on Saturday 11/29) of his smile, his kisses, his love, his trust, his respect, his kindness. I'm thankful for the love that we have build and our ability to always work together as a team. He is my partner, my best friend, my lover, my audience, my husband. Thank you so much for everything you do for me and for us. You are, without a single shadow of a double, my soulmate.
Whatever you are thankful for, share it. Happy Thanksgiving!
