Here are 17 things I learned by the age of 17:
1. In life, you can't completely rely on someone.
Humans were created to be independent creatures and in light o that, it's important to know and understand and accept that you just need to learn to love your own company.
2. Don't let anyone tell you how YOU feel.
We live in a society where we are supposed to feel a certain way about things and if the way you feel isn't deemed "appropriate," people will try to invalidate your feelings. Don't let people do this to you, there is nothing wrong with the way you feel or the way you react and handle things.
3. Young love often doesn't last. It's called "young love" for a reason.
Hope that you and your first love will walk down the aisle, have children and have that beautiful house you always dreamed of but, don't expect it to happen. It's so incredible to find someone who loves you during a time where you're in between who you are, who you were and who you want to be and that love is the one that will stick with you so embrace it. At the same time, expect that you will go your separate ways since, after all, you're going to become who you were destined to be.
4. Your friends are supposed to support you not hurt you.
If your friends make you feel like you aren't enough or your opinions are stupid, they aren't friends. Drop them. It may hurt, but you need it to be done. Those types of people will only hold you back and prolong the road to being who you want to be.
5. Spend time with your family.
You don't have to be out with your friends 24/7. You have a whole life to do that, but know and understand that your family is growing older, too, your aunts, uncles and parents are aging. Your family is changing, spend each moment with them to the fullest because when they're gone you're gonna wish you had spent that extra hour or two with them.
6. The past is the past.
The past is concrete and can't change. Accept that and move forward
7. Mothers are an absolute pain.
They push you, nag you, yell at you but motivate you, inspire you and love you unconditionally. I must say, I hate my mom most days. I really do, the yelling, the nagging. But she pushes me to the best version of myself and whenever I feel like I can't do something, she always knows what to say. She's a personal cheerleader. She will have pride in everything you do and love you forever and always.
8. Father's are the one guy you can count on.
Many boys will break your heart and while you may not have a very close relationship, he is the one guy you can count on.
9. There is nothing wrong with loving yourself, it doesn't make you selfish.
Loving yourself makes you unstoppable. Take time and worship all the little things about yourself that not everyone has; your freckles, nose slope, eye shape. Everything you hate about yourself, learn to love instead.
10. High school drama is stupid.
Once you leave those halls and you enter the real world, you'll realize there are more important issues in life rather than over what you wear to school or who your ex is dating.
11. Don't wish high school away.
I admit, I'm a victim in wanting my high school career to finally be over but at the same time, I can't imagine the last time I leave the school, my last fire drill or the last time I get to laugh with all of my friends in the same place, at the same thing and at the same time. High school can be the hardest times of your life but it also defines you.
12. Value your friends from when you were in kindergarten, those were the people who grew up with you, saw you through all your heartbreaks, puberty.
They were there for everything and always will be. Those are your family members. They are your siblings. They are your comfort and childhood.
13. Makeup is dumb.
If you love it, wear it and flaunt that contour. If you hate it, don't feel pressured to wear it.
14. If given the chance, take every opportunity possible.
There are some things that happen once in a lifetime and some things that will come up again and again. Regardless, take every chance to open a new door.
15. Go with your gut.
When faced with a situation, we tend to completely over complicate things and think too much into them. Don't do that, go with your instinct, that's what you truly want.
16. Take school seriously, don't think there is always another chance to change your grades.
Everything will add up in the end and when they do, you may not like what you see. Always strive for success and try to be better then you can be.
17. Don't wish your youth away.
There is an incredible sensation being innocent and being blind to all the evil in the world. Keep that and hold onto it. Days pass and time will never repeat or stop itself so take it every day and love it.
