Every time someone asks me how old I am and I reply with "18," a shocked look takes over their face and I simply laugh. Eighteen has never looked younger; just look at me. Throughout the years, I have learned a thing or two about life. Be careful what you wish for, everything happens for a reason. There are many things I wish I had known before I turned 18, and to narrow the list down was hard, but here it is.
1. Appreciate yourself.
We so often forget that we are just human. Human beings that aren’t made of steel or don’t have emotions. Appreciate yourself, because you have brought yourself this far. Every single human is unique.
2. Be thankful to your parents.
This one is a must. As we grow up, our parents start to realize their grip on us is loosening. My parents are letting go of two kids within a year of each other, and I’m thankful as they let me go after my own goals. They try hard to balance everything, so just make sure to thank them here and now.
3. Always stay connected to your siblings.
Not everyone gets along with his or her sibling, but always stay connected in whatever way you can. You grew up together, laughed together, cried together, and even if you’re hundreds of miles away, stay connected. Near or far, stick together.
4. Dance it out.
This is my favorite one. If you are stressed, honestly, just dance it out. Put on your favorite playlist, and just dance, man. There is nothing like having a solo dance party, enjoying yourself and just laughing. This world is your dance floor, so go out dancing.
5. Take your grades seriously.
To my brainiacs out there, keep doing your thang. To my laidback people, make sure to get good grades, because if you dream of going to a first-class college, you need first-class grades. I’m not trying to preach, but aim for good grades, aim to be the best at whatever is presented to you.
6. Laugh till your stomach hurts.
This is my favorite one. You don’t know how many times I’ve been told to be serious, that a college student doesn’t laugh after everything she says. Apparently I do, and that’s just me. Laugh it out until your face hurts and you have to try and take deep breaths to calm yourself down. Those are the moments worth everything.
7. Let’s not overthink.
I’m still learning this one. Overthinking will kill your chances of doing anything, more than any tangible fears. Your doubts, your fears, everything is in your head. Don’t overthink every little thing, just let life take its course. Let life do its thing and go with it. You never know what can happen.
8. Stop comparing yourself.
Stop it; it’s not doing anything for you other than destroying your self-confidence. You are your own competition, nobody else. Trust me, I know many girls who are better at something than me. So what? Instead of comparing myself, I take notes. I learn how to be better for me tomorrow, instead of competing today. Do you, boo.
9. Do something new.
My high school principal said this on the first day of freshman year. I definitely listened. Be friends with someone new, try out a new sport, join a club you never thought much of, take an elective that’s not super popular. Trust me on this, I did all of the above, and man, did I change my own life.
10. Love yourself.
It is easy to say, yet one of the hardest things to do. I guarantee you, if you start to love yourself, life becomes a hundred thousand times better. Why? Because you are your biggest fan, you’re comfortable yet still working on you, and haters are just the background beats to your fire mixtape.
Trust me on this -- after all, I am 18.
