What I Learned About Myself in 2025

Here are a few things I learned about myself in 2025.Lessons like: it’s okay to say no, you don’t need a lot of friends, and how important it is to surround yourself with people who support you as much as you support them.

Every year I learn something new about myself, and 2025 was no exception. In today’s blog, I want to share a few of those lessons in case they resonate with you too.

It’s Okay to Say No

One of the hardest things I’ve had to learn is when it’s okay to put myself first. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a people pleaser. I’ve always wanted to help, to be available, and to say yes whenever I could.

At the beginning of 2025, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Once I started medication, I realized something unexpected was happening. I was unmasking. On the outside, I’ve always looked like I had everything under control. Inside, my brain was constantly going.

After starting medication, I found myself setting boundaries for the first time in my life. I was suddenly okay saying no. Or saying, “I can’t help right now, but I can in a few hours.”

Some people were fine with that. Others weren’t.

Within just a few months, I learned that it is okay to say no, and it’s okay to make people wait. The people who truly care will understand. The ones who don’t? That tells you something too.

You Don’t Need a Lot of Friends

This was another big lesson from 2025 you don’t need a huge circle of friends.

Honestly, my patience can comfortably handle about three close friends and that’s okay. Keeping up with too many people can be exhausting and overwhelming. For me, less really has been more.

I think of life in circles

Your first circle is your family

Your second circle is your close friends

Your third circle is acquaintances

These days, I’m happiest with my family and a small, solid group of close friends. For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel overwhelmed socially and that peace is priceless.

Find People Who Support You as Much as You Support Them

The biggest lesson I learned in 2025 was this real friendships go both ways.

A true friend sees you for who you are, not what you have. No one is my friend because I make a lot of money because between you and me, I don’t. The people I keep close are there because we genuinely care about each other.

The same three friends I keep coming back to have always shown up for me, just as I’ve shown up for them. That kind of mutual support is rare and it’s special.

Think about the small moments

The friend who drives you to the airport and doesn’t expect gas money

The time you quietly helped someone who was struggling without them even asking

The friend who helped you months ago, so you immediately help them when they need it

Those moments matter. Those connections matter. That’s the kind of friendship worth holding onto.

It’s Okay to Step Back

Only you know how much you can handle.

One thing I learned in 2025 especially around July is that pushing yourself nonstop eventually catches up with you. I was giving myself too many deadlines, and none of it was bringing me joy.

Being busy doesn’t equal being fulfilled.

At one point, riding that ADHD “I can do everything” wave made me feel unstoppable until it didn’t. I had to slow down. I had to step back. And I had to remind myself that stopping doesn’t mean failing.

Now at 35, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this being there for yourself matters more than anything.

This is your life. You’re the one living it. You don’t have to answer every call. You don’t have to raise your hand just to feel included. Learning not to always put myself last has been one of the most important lessons of my life.

It’s okay to put yourself first even when it feels uncomfortable. It’s okay to buy yourself something nice once in a while.(Just… keep an eye on those finances they catch up fast.)

Thank you for reading today’s blog. I don’t know when I’ll write the next one, but I’m really glad you stopped by and hung out for a bit.

💛