Things Being A Twin Has Taught Me
Hello to you lovely bunch! Did you miss me? No!? RUDE. Anyhoo, sorry for the lengthy hiatus - i had exams which had to be my main focus and something that couldn't be avoided. But I'm back with a new post about things being a twin has taught me.
I get asked what it's like having a twin and it's a difficult question to answer. I have no idea what it’s like to not have a twin. From the moment we were born, me and my sister have been side by side and inseparable. We are different in terms of personality, aspirations and tribulations. Being a twin certainly has its perks, but it also comes with a unique set of challenges. Whether you were half of a set of twins that did everything together, or you preferred your independence, growing up with an identical twin likely set you apart from your boring, singleton friends in a number of ways.
She's been the kind of person to try and understand my mental illness, help me embrace my hearing impairment, to fight my corner, and most importantly she's been patient and accepting. Twin siblings celebrate each others milestones, fight each others corner, guide them in the right direction, be the person to vent to and over all be their best friend. She is what you would call a 'tom-boy' and i guess you would call me the 'girly' one, i think people fail to recognize that being a twin isn't all that you are, we have different ways of expressing ourselves but there's no denying being side by side with your bestie is pretty awesome.
It’s OK to be different: Don’t follow the crowd. Even if it seems scary, you can do it. We all can. Having someone by your side every step of the way sometimes means you’ll tend to stay at the same pace even when you really want to take a step ahead. It’s OK to break away from the path and go after what you want. You are your own person and we all have different goals we would like to achieve.
Don’t be scared of others judging you; be proud of who you are. Sometimes being a twin means people will assume you are alike in every way. In turn, I have been scared to step outside of the box at times. I’ve felt insecure about speaking my mind because I’ve worried people wouldn’t like me as much as my twin. But I’ve learnt that being the odd one out/being the crazy one in the family is completely OK.
It’s no fun keeping secrets: Being a twin has taught me that when we have problems, we should always let them out and confide in someone. Sometimes, you need to hear someone else’s opinion. Sometimes, you simply need a little guidance in the right direction, and sometimes you just need to let it all out and move on. Keeping things bottled up leads to anxiety.
Be strong enough to be confident in who you are. Make decisions, tell people what you think and seek help when you need it. My twin and I share every problem and after we talk, we feel ready to take on the world. FYI, don’t ask a twin to keep a secret, either. Twins share everything with one another.
Being a twin has taught me so much about compassion, being myself and making room for others. I think having a sidekick definitely makes life a lot more fun.
It doesn’t always take two: It doesn’t always take two to make a decision. It doesn’t always take two to make a dream a reality. It doesn’t always take two to be confident walking into new territories. While yes, having my twin by my side in all these situations is awesome, I know I am capable on my own. We can be our own person
It has taken me a long time to understand I have it in me to be confident. I have the power and inspiration within myself to take on each day without always needing someone with me. You alone can build a strong, healthy mind that can take on anything life throws at you.
Close relationships are the most meaningful things in life: My life is only full and thriving if I have people who genuinely knows me inside and out, and loves and accepts me exactly as I am. I’m also guessing that not every twin is as lucky as I am, to have such an amazing sibling relationship.
No one compares to my twin sister, She is my everything. Treasure those close friendships and connections. Embrace them. And don't get me wrong, we have our moments where we're annoyed with each other but that doesn't last long.
Becoming a better version of yourself and grow each day. The person next to you can be a great motivator and inspiration if you allow them to be. Chasing dreams alongside someone can be extremely exciting and make for one hell of an adventure. Supporting others in their endeavours is way more satisfying for the soul than trying to knock them down.
Be a good listener and don’t judge: My sister and I talk non-stop. We love a good natter and it’s taught us how to really listen to people. We take in each point they are saying and are there for them. With that, also comes understanding and not judging each other. My sister and I don’t agree on everything, but it doesn’t mean I love her any less. After all she is my built in best friend.
Having a built-in best friend. Imagine growing up having your closest pal right down the street every night. Imagine having one person who's going through exactly what you're going through at every stage of your life. That's what it's like to be a twin. Having a twin is like having a constant soundboard to bounce ideas and questions off of. My twin is my first and unwavering source of advice, because she understands me to an extent no one else does.
So if you've ever wondered what it's like to be a twin, yes — it's freaking awesome. Being a twin has taught me so much about life and it's become a part of my identity. So thanks, Mum who single handily raised us, for giving me the best partner in crime a girl could ask for. Womb mates for life.
No matter what, we will always be a team together. We'll battle through things together, we'll always be there for each other, and no matter if we're on the same path or totally different journeys, we will always be a team together. Whether we are alike or different, twins will be able to balance each other out. By having our bond and being able to read each other, we'll be able to keep each other level and offer support without dashing each others dreams. We still have our own personalities and individuality.
"Twins: two unique souls united by birth."
What about you guys, are you a twin? Do you have twins in your family?
