As my seventeenth year comes to a rapid close, I can't help but feel a bit overwhelmed by my impending adulthood. As of now I will be eighteen in in three days, which has me thinking about the past eighteen years (or what I remember of them) and the things I've learned throughout my life. Some lessons were harder to learn than others, but they were lessons nonetheless. Here are eighteen lessons I've learned in eighteen years.
1. Be your own biggest fan
I can't emphasize this enough. Being able to cheer yourself on without looking for someone else to do that for you is one of the most important things in life, in my opinion.
2. Forgive
I am the queen of holding grudges, or I used to be at least. Once I learned the importance of forgiving those who have hurt me, my heart became incredibly less heavy.
3. It's okay to let go
This is something I've learned quite recently and it has been an immense relief to myself and those around me. I've learned that I can let go of someone and still allow them to have a part in my life, but I couldn't have let this happen without my dear friend Maddie. She wrote me a note in the beginning of our junior year and I recently reread it, finding a line that impacted me greatly. She wrote "It's okay to let go. Remember that. Even the things you let go of will stay in your heart." Thank you, Maddie.
4. Time is limited
I've been lucky in my life with the fact that I haven't lost many family members, but the ones I have lost have left a lasting impression on me and have helped me realize that time is so limited, making life that much more precious.
5. Spread love
The world is full of hate and negativity, so why contribute to that even more? Give love to everyone, spread it around-- everyone deserves it.
6. Negativity is an anchor
I'll admit, at times I'm not the most positive person, but by finding a negative side to every situation, you're only weighing yourself down.
7. Do what's best for you
If you're unhappy with a situation, change it. If this means quitting a team, cutting certain people off, etc., do what's going to be best for you.
8. Be considerate of others
I know it's important to say what's on your mind, but if you know it could possibly offend someone around you, it's most likely best you don't say it. Take into consideration the feelings of those around you.
9. Listen
Sometimes all someone needs is a person to talk to. By listening to others, you are making connections with people that could possibly listen when you need someone in the future.
10. Go out of your way
This means going out of your way to do something nice for others or helping another person out. It'll either help them tremendously or just make their day, both being a good thing.
11. Explore what you love
I didn't consider studying journalism until my sophomore year of high school, but once I learned and explored more about it, I fell in love with it. Find something you're passionate about and pursue it.
12. Wear what you want
High school is the definition of "judgement zone," so finding your personal style can be quite difficult. I've learned that in the future people aren't going to remember the outfit you wore that one Wednesday in December, so wear what you want-- you'll be more comfortable than you would be wearing something to "fit in."
13. Keep an open mind
This is one of the most important lessons to learn. Keep your mind open to new people, ideas, cultures, etc. By doing this, you're learning and growing as a person.
14. Smile at strangers
Some people honestly just need a smile to brighten their day, it'll make yours better as well.
15. Form your own opinions
It's important to independently form your own views on issues and stray away from the "mob mentality." Don't let other opinions change how you feel about something.
16. Things change
This is the hardest lesson I had to learn. Not being a fan of change, I had to learn this at a young age when my whole life changed dramatically. Allow change to happen because there's no way to prevent it.
17. Let yourself make mistakes
I am incredibly hard on myself, and this past dance season was quite challenging due to that. My wonderful dance teacher taught me about life along with dance and she taught me that I need to allow myself to mess up, and that changed a lot of things. I'll never be able to thank her enough.
18. Don't apologize for being you
We're all different. Embrace what sets you apart from others and don't feel guilty for being yourself. Be unapologetically you and those that don't appreciate/respect that don't deserve a place in your life.
