1. Eating alone is okay.
Eating lunch or dinner alone have become a time to just regroup from the day. I can focus on myself and think clearer.
2. Your siblings can become the best friends you have ever had.
My sister is my best friend. It may have taken us around fifteen years to actually realize we like each other but she is the best friend I could ever ask for.
3. People will leave -- let them.
People will phase in and out of your life as you grow up. Don’t try to hold on to everyone. If they are really meant to be there, they will come back.
4. Don’t be afraid to say you like something.
I love books and musicals (though I can’t sing). For the longest time, I kept to myself about it. Until I discovered BookTube, I felt like no one else shared my interests. As for musicals, I will belt out any song from them. It took me a long time to realize that there are people that will sing along with you.
5. No matter how old you get, you will always need your parents.
This has become very real lately. I live 100 miles away from my parents now and in the month and a half since I moved into college, I have been to the hospital three times. Every time all I wanted was my parents. They were the only ones who gave me peace of mind.
6. Adults don’t know everything.
We are taught to believe that because someone is older than you, they know more. A lot of the time, this isn’t the case. They might have gone through the same schooling as you, but that doesn’t mean they learned the same things.
7. Speak your mind.
If someone is wrong, tell them! Don’t be afraid of the
8. Change can be scary, but it can be the most beneficial for you.
I grew up in eight square miles of suburbia and decided to move over a hundred miles away at the age of 17. It was honestly the best thing for me to move away and not know anyone where I was going.
9. Treat yourself.
You can’t be afraid to buy things for yourself. Don’t waste all your money on things you don’t need but if you want ice cream, get the ice cream. The world won’t end if you treat yourself once in a while.
10. It doesn’t matter how others see you.
I’m not the skinniest or the prettiest but it doesn’t matter. If I am happy with myself, it doesn’t matter what society thinks of me.
11. When someone compliments you, believe them.
It took me a long time to learn this. Others see you without the flaws that you think you have. If someone says you look nice, BELIEVE THEM!
12. Sleep can be both the best and the worst thing for you.
I am a serial napper. Sometimes this can be catastrophic. When I get stressed, I want to sleep. But if I have a lot to do that day, I am wasting my time by napping. I know that my body needs sleep so if I have the time and feel like I need it, I will take a nap.
13. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.
I have recently found out that I like a lot of things that I always believed I didn’t. Examples
14. Learn from others.
I spent three years working with students who have autism. I never knew how much love I could have for kids with special needs until I met them.
15. Animals can be the best form of therapy.
I was feeling really hopeless and alone after being in the hospital. The only thing that got me out of my funk? Therapy dogs. Alma College is really good about getting animals here at least once a month to help destress and they came exactly when I needed them.
16. The little things can be the best things.
You never know how much a hug and a home cook meal means until you are away from home and don’t get them every day.
17. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
I’ve learned that going to therapy, getting a tutor, or even asking questions in class when you don’t understand is not a sign of weakness. People will respect you even more if you do.
18. Befriend people you wouldn’t usually befriend.
I could have never seen myself being friends with the girl I got roomed with at school. However, we spend every day together, get coffee, and go shopping all the time.
