A WHOLE FLIPPIN DECADE. Okay so this might mark me as young but I started this decade off without a driver's license. So we can accurately say I did a bit of growing in the 2010s [beyond just the 2 inch growth spurt at 15]. I didn't do a "prediction" at the beginning of this decade on where I thought my life would be at the end of it, but I can almost guarantee my 15 year old self would not have been able to predict this one accurately.
The highest of highlights is that in one decade I went from a high schooler to college graduate, I went from managing some coffee beans as a barista to managing some dynamite kids as a nanny to managing a nonprofit's communications department as a communications director, I went from not traveling outside the country to a full passport of over 15 countries, I went from being a gymnast to now chasing my old gymnast strength [maybe next decade I'll get there], and quite honestly I just went from a 15 year old kid to a 25 year old trying to adult as well as possible in the world.
Although to be fair, the past decade is like 40% of my life, so it is a bit more impactful for me than others... although if you are a youngin born in 2010 then I guess it has been 100% of your life -- so then you win or whatever.
This blog post is a bit of a time capsule and runs through some of the highlights of my decade. It you are interested in such a thing keep on reading... if not you got the highlight reel above and I'll never be the wiser.
2010
To set the stage -- I am a sophomore in high school -- any one of my adult friends will happily tell you how much I didn't have style at this point -- so I am most likely with VERY long hair pulled in a messy bun and then for sure sweatpants and probably my glasses.
I would be getting my very first ankle surgery this year and having to quit gymnastics... if you were a gymnast you will understand that giving up something you did 15+ hours a week is very odd. Like what do you do with all that extra time? Make friends who aren't in the gym??
But to mark the ending of my gymnastic years, at very beginning of 2010 Alyson could kick the butt of the current day Alyson... I mean she was a strong little cookie. By the end of 2010 I would be getting the second ankle surgery and years of gymnastics strength would be dwindled to almost zero.
Sidenote: As many know me as the short haired woman, I thought I'd throw a photo up of the long hair. My hair was usually worn very curly... but this was post-prom.
2012
Graduation baby!! Graduating from Chisago Lakes High School and was beyond excited to get the hell out of dodge and down to Winona State University. First year of college and made a friend group that would last me through college and into my adult years -- love all of you!
2014
Rang in the New Year in London, England. This was the very beginning of an extended trip so-to-speak. My college didn't have London as a location for travel abroad so I found a program outside of the university, applied, got into Kingston University in London and then packed my bags and said goodbye to Winona State for a semester as I studied abroad.
At 19 years old, I thought I was old. But in retrospect I was so freaking young and so freaking lucky I had no real "bad stories" from my travel, just interesting, comical and adventurous ones. This is always going to be one of my favorite years because I was traveling Europe with one of my best friends, I was meeting people who would become lifelong friends (or like at least I'm still friends with them now... so I'm being optimistic), I got to see Athen to Rome to Paris to Dublin to Prague to Munich to a hell of a lot of other amazing places. This is an experience I'm forever grateful for and was probably the first sign to many that I had a bit of a restless soul.
2016
My ass graduated college! I was the top student in both of my majors [not to brag, but like I killed it in college -- high school not so much people]. I made friends during these four years that are now in it for the long haul of friendship.
I also started my job at Students United this year -- an advocacy nonprofit. Will always be grateful that my first job got to be with that organization.
Sidenote: Also, my friends might find it important to note that this would be the year I finally figured out what "style" was. Before this I believe many saw my style a bit like Mia from Princess Diaries pre-makeover. But as I have explained -- every child has an awkward phase... mine might have just lasted the entirety of my youth years.
2017
City living. Living in Uptown-ish area. I loved living in Minneapolis for the few years I lived there -- especially in the summer. In the winter, I was mainly grateful I had off-street parking. For the Southerns, in winter there are "snow emergencies" where you are only allowed to park on one side of the street... this can quickly devolve into chao.
I started CrossFit this year. Not a huge piece of information, but I care to mention it and it's my post so there it is.
2018
When I left London at 19, I already knew I wanted to go back to Europe for Croatia. Well I made it back. The college best friend, Lindsay, who I went to London with [and was my current roomate at this time] came with! This was honestly a bucket list trip. We sailed along the islands and coast of Croatia for eight days... seriously the trip to beat.
Also, my best friend moved to Portland, leaving me behind. But before she left she introduced me to Joy... and we know how that story goes.
2019
Hello Texas.
You should all know this story now. But my wanderlust personality brought me down to Texas.
For more information on my Texas move, please read any one of my former blogs... like literally any one of them.
2020s
So I ask you 2020s -- Can you supersede the 2010s? I feel as though I have some serious shoes to fill... and they are my own damn shoes. Part of me wants to make a prediction of the next decade, just because I have a feeling it'll be nothing I could predict right now -- because where would the fun be in perfectly predicting an entire decade of one's life? But anyways, Happy New Decade everyone!
Advice: Here is my decade advice -- YOLO. [I'm cringing and laughing as I type this] I'm pretty sure this will go down as one of the worst acronym turned sayings of the decade, but YOLO is home to this decade so I felt it should be said (typed) one more time. And you know what people... You Only Live Once.
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