18 Things I Learned in 18 Years
Start writing a post

18 Things I've Learned In 18 Years

The biggest secrets about growing up.

20
18 Things I've Learned In 18 Years
Paris Mercurio

Two weeks ago, I turned 18. Do I feel like an adult yet? Not really. But I have definitely learned a lot in the past 18 years that I'd really like to put out there, so here we go!

1. If you don't feel confident, just pretend to be. Eventually, you actually will be.

This one took me a while to catch onto, but it's absolutely one of the most important things I've discovered and want to pass on. I was a pretty shy and insecure kid throughout most of the middle and high school. I always thought that confidence was something that came from within, that some people were confident, and other's just weren't (and that I was simply a member of the latter group). Recently, it occurred to me that this is not the case at all! In fact, most people are not naturally super confident. The majority of us have our fair share of insecurities and nervousness- that's just human! The true key to confidence is just pretending to be confident until you actually are.

2. Your given environment might not be the right place for you, and that's okay.

It's okay to feel out of place, or like you don't quite fit in. The important thing is that you never water yourself down or compromise your originality to fit into a mold. Hold onto your true self and try your best not to lose yourself in the idea of who you're supposed to be. If you keep searching, you'll eventually find the right place.

3. Say yes to everything you can. Stay open to all opportunities!

This seems like a given, but it actually took me time to realize. Every time you say yes to anything, you're opening up a world of new possibilities. So try to stay open to trying new things, even things that may seem daunting or out of your comfort zone. You never know where something will lead you!

4. If it won't matter in five years, don't worry about it for more than five minutes.

A very wise friend of mine said this to me one-day last year when I was stressing out over a quiz. At the time, the simple statement felt so legendary to me. How had I not thought of this before? This little philosophy gave me permission to stop feeling too anxious about everything, so I decided to adopt it as my own. Since then, I've been much less stressed about everything. My quality of life has seriously gone up, and so have my grades! Who knew that when you stop worrying so much, you actually have a clearer mind?

5. There is no perfect high school experience. Just do what you enjoy.

For a while, I struggled with the idea that my high school life wasn't like what I'd expected from watching movies and TV. I even worried that my life wasn't as exciting as the lives of other people my age. Now I know that there is no one right way to go through high school! If you're worried about missing out on a "typical" high school experience, whatever that might mean to you, I suggest that you don't worry. If anything, just try a lot of different things to find out what you really enjoy.

6. Nobody is ever paying as much attention to you as you worry they might be.

This is just a basic rule of thumb. You'll know when it applies.

7. Embarrassment is the world's greatest bonding tactic.

I learned this while trying to bond with coworkers at my first job: if you can manage to casually throw in something mildly embarrassing about yourself, people will warm up to you much faster. Most people feel a little bit vulnerable and shy when first meeting other people, so divulging a personal anecdote does wonders to cut through the tension and anxiety, making the whole situation so much more comfortable. It'll also make the other person feel like you trust them and want to be friends with them!

8. The most freeing thing you can do is stop caring what other people think.

THIS. IS. SO. IMPORTANT. It's a hard thing to do, but it makes everything so much easier.

9. You WILL make mistakes, and that's okay. Try not to regret anything.

I always say that I have no regrets because every choice I've made, mistakes and all, have brought me where I am today and made me the person that I've become. I think that mistakes are inevitable and important. How else will you truly learn?

10. If you're contemplating taking a chance, just take it.

If you're thinking about taking a risk, ask yourself, "If I don't do this thing, will I look back and wish I had?" If the answer is "yes" or "maybe," do it.

11. Try your best to be happy wherever you are in the present moment.

It's easy to say that you'll be happier when something happens, when something begins or another thing ends, etc. But it's so much better in the long run if you make the conscious choice to find happiness wherever you are right now. If you're unable to control your environment and situation, then you just have to make the best of it!

12. Not everyone dates in high school, and that's not a bad thing.

My middle school self expected to have had multiple boyfriends by now. Needless to say, that didn't really go as planned. Actually, I haven't had one real, official boyfriend yet. I used to worry about that, but it's really no big deal. I have so many friends with varying levels of experience with romance and dating. Some have much more than I do, some have less, and nobody really cares that much! I've learned that it's so important to trust the timing of your life. If the right person hasn't come along, then it's probably just not the right time.

13. Trying to be like someone else never works, so just be yourself.

Self-explanatory.

14. It's important to make an effort to truly understand yourself.

You might be thinking that this is obvious, you already understand yourself fine. But do you really? Sometimes, I don't even realize I feel a certain way about something until I take a moment to truly check in with myself. I do this by journaling and turning off distractions (phone, I'm looking at you) for a little while, usually before I go to bed, so I can just be alone with my thoughts.

15. Comparing yourself to others is useless and will only make you sad.

Everybody is different and everybody is wonderful and interesting in their own way! Don't waste your time comparing yourself to other people. If everyone was the same, life would be terribly boring.

16. The hardest thing you will have to do is learn to love yourself the way you are.

I still haven't gotten there, but I've gotten a lot closer.

17. Nobody really has the answers. We're all just making it up as we go.

All it takes is a little improvisation.

18. Childhood goes by insanely fast, so hold onto it for as long as you can.

For the past 18 years, all I wanted to do was grow up. Now, I just wish I had a little bit more time to be a kid. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Well, there you have it: 18 things I learned in 18 years. Hopefully, these will help someone out there!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49706
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31668
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955235
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180433
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments