Things I Care About Now That 20-Year-Old Me Would Laugh At
The other day I found myself way too excited about some new kitchen towels I picked up. Like it genuinely thrilled me. They’re thick, absorbent, and actually dry things. You know, like towels are supposed to. And as I stood there, admiring my waffle weave wonders from Walmart, I had a moment of clarity:
“My 20-year-old self would absolutely roll her eyes at me right now.”
So, I thought it’d be fun to list a few things that would have made my younger self laugh, cringe, or just shake her head in disbelief. Turns out, there are a lot. But the truth is, I kind of like who I’ve become.
Here’s a peek at the things that now bring me joy—and the things I’ve let go of—because I’ve earned the right to live exactly how I want.
1. Finding Good Kitchen Towels
Yes, kitchen towels. Good and absorbent kitchen towels are rare. You know that – I know that. These aren’t the flimsy kind that just push water around. These are absorbent, waffle weave, Home & Garden gems from Walmart. I’ve bought six and I have no regrets. Meanwhile, my 20-year-old self is somewhere in the past wondering, “Why are you this excited over towels?”
2. Decluttering Is My New Hobby
When I was a teenager, my room and everything around me was basically chaos and I honestly couldn’t have cared less. Now days though, I can’t function unless my space is organized. I even procrastinate by organizing. I can have something planned to do, then walk into my closet and suddenly I have to rearrange it before I can do anything else. Productive? Maybe. Therapeutic? Absolutely.
3. Bird Feeders Are a Delight
Back in the day, I just didn’t understand my parents’ obsession with bird feeders. Now? I have multiple feeders. I have the regular ones that hold birdseed for the winter and I have the hummingbird ones for the summer. I even take bird photos. I have favorite birds too. And I’ll happily send you pictures if you ask.
4. TV Is Overrated—YouTube Is Life
I used to live for Thursday night TV (Seinfeld, anyone?). Now? I barely touch regular TV. I watch YouTube, listen to podcasts, and stream what I want when I want. I just have a problem sitting still, so even sitting down to watch a movie is almost painful to me. I also have zero tolerance for commercials. Paying for Youtube premium, in my opinion, is worth it.
5. Comfortable Clothes Only
Jeans? No way. I don’t care how “soft” or “stretchy” you say they are—nothing beats joggers, some wide-leg linen pants or my beloved swishy pants (golf pants). Elastic is my best friend. Life is way too short for pants that make my stomach cramp.
6. Underwire Bras Are Torture Devices
I used to swear by underwire. I thought I HAD to because of my size. Now there are just so many different options that I know I don’t HAVE to wear those wired torture devices.
7. I Own a Pill Organizer
It’s rainbow colored and it makes me happy. More importantly, it helps know what vitamins or pills I’ve taken that day. (Mostly none of them because I keep forgetting to, but that’s another issue.) And no, I don’t care if visitors think an elderly relative lives with me.
8. I’d Rather Stay In
At 20, I thought staying home meant I was missing out. But now, missing out actually sounds like that’s the main goal. I’ve always been a creative homebody at heart—now I’m just honest about it. Large social events are a hard pass for me now. I’d just rather spend quiet nights creating or basically anything else.
9. Celebrities? I Don’t Care Anymore
Back then, I loved all things Hollywood. Entertainment Tonight was a nightly ritual. But something shifted, especially after hearing one too many actors call entertainment their “duty” or acting as if they were doing us a favor. I just don’t put people on pedestals anymore. You like what you like, but I’ve unsubscribed from the celebrity hype machine.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I realize how much of my younger self was shaped by what I thought I should be doing. Be social. Be stylish. Be “normal.” But now, I’m more comfortable doing what actually makes me happy, even if it’s wearing swishy pants and watching birds from the window.
And honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Watch the video below.
