Editor’s Note: This post is part of a 28 day blogging challenge from Imperfectblogging.com. The goal is to develop your blogging voice. To learn more, click here. 

Where were you one year ago today?

Think about it. Where were you, at this moment one year ago? I knew where I was. I was taking this picture.

And I thought about placing this picture on my wall.

When I took this picture, I was looking for beauty in the smaller things in life because the bigger things weren’t so beautiful.

Far forward to March 2014 .The same tree, which is outside my window, is blooming again. It’s growing toward a bright, spring sun in a fearless way. It doesn’t matter if its cold or windy or if the sun is a little less bright, these flowers still grow and blossom. Why?

Because no one told them that it was a bad idea to bloom on a cold day.

I’m relearning this lesson, which started during the year of revision. It’s one of the things I wish I had told myself when I was younger.

So, in the spirit of growing (literally and figuratively) here’s some advice I would give myself if I could go back in time a year ago.

• Trust your gut. It’s right. 100 percent.
• You need to understand that you are capable of so many things that you don’t even know of yet. Follow that instinct.
• No matter how talented you are and show it, there will be those who don’t think you are. Ignore them.
• There will be a time where you no longer believe in people. That moment passes and who you become after that moment is amazing.
• Your voice is the most important part of you. Defend it at all costs.
• Fearlessness sometimes means staying home and watching Doctor Who.
• Keep being stubborn. It’s your best attribute.
• Happiness comes in small things — gestures, packages, moments.
• You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.
• Chocolate fixes everything. Just FYI.

If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice, what would you tell yourself?