I’ve been seeing all over social media this week, people posting their 10-year challenge pictures. Basically just posting a picture of themselves from ten years ago, and comparing it to a picture of themselves from this year. I’ve really enjoyed seeing how much people have changed over the last decade, and it really got me to thinking about how much I have changed as well.

Ten years ago, I was a fifteen year old girl who thought her biggest problem in life was trying to make people like me, and trying to find somewhere I felt like I fit in. And while I still want people to like me, it no longer feels like the end of the world if someone doesn’t. I’ve learned that I can’t please everyone, and there’s no point in trying to kill myself trying to.

When I was younger, I was incredibly shy and afraid to talk to people. I still am pretty shy, but I think I’ve gotten 10x better about talking to people I’m not totally comfortable around. I was telling a friend the other day that when I moved out to VA and didn’t know anyone, I had to force myself out of my comfort zone if I wanted to make any friends. I think ever since then, I’ve become a lot more carefree and willing to put myself out there. As hard as it was being so far from home for so long, I think being completely on my own really forced me to grow up a lot quicker. I learned a lot of life lessons out there that have brought me to where I am today.

One huge difference that I can think of from 10 years ago was what I thought I wanted to do with my life. For as long as I can remember, when I was growing up I ALWAYS wanted to be a vet. Ask anyone who I grew up with, it was all I ever wanted to be. I loved animals, and I thought this would be my way of following in my parent’s footsteps. Well, unfortunately for me, my “dream job” was crushed when I shadowed a vet in high school and spent most of the time in the hallway feeling like I was going to hurl. Who knew the insides of the animals weren’t as cute as the outside?

From then on out, I really struggled trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I even came pretty close to dropping out of school after my sophomore year because I literally had no idea what I was aiming for at that point. But, who would have guessed that I took a complete 180 and entered into the business arena! Fifteen year old me would have never believed it! It’s crazy to think what all can change in a couple of years.

One thing that for sure hasn’t changed is my love of swimming! I started when I was ten and I’ve been doing it nearly year-round ever since, only taking a summer or two off since I started. I was a fish back then, and I’m still a fish today. That’s one thing that I don’t think will ever change, even in the next ten years from now, or the next ten after that.

It’s funny thinking back on how we used to be when we were young and how much has changed, and how much really hasn’t. As much as I want to cringe thinking about what I was like ten years ago, and all of the stupid decisions I’ve made since then, I also can’t help but be proud of who I have become. I’ve come a long way since I was fifteen; seen a lot of things, been a lot of places, and learned a lot of lessons. It’s been one heck of a roller coaster ride, but that’s what makes life exciting! And I’m looking forward to what will happen in the next ten years.

Until next time!

Megan Reiffenberger