The past 18 years have been anything but boring. They were full of drama, happiness, disappointment, success, sadness, but most important of all-lessons. The lessons I learned throughout my life so far have shaped me as a friend, as a daughter, as a person.

Soon I will be turning 19, so before then, here are 18 things I learned in 18 years.

1. Everything is temporary.

Everything you’re struggling with, everything difficult in your life right now, will end. Everything ends. Even the good. Appreciate every positive experience and beautiful moment you have.

2. Keep life simple.

Life isn’t as complicated and draining as we tend to make it. Take a deep breath and go with the flow.

3. Live like a child.

No one is happier than a laughing, care-free, enthusiastic person.

4. Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find yourself.

If one day you wake up and realize you’re not the same you, that’s okay. That’s better than okay. If you never stray from the way you are, you’ll never grow.

5. If you were to die tomorrow, what would you regret not saying? So why haven’t you said it yet?

Self-explanatory. Regrets aren’t worth it.

6. It's okay to be selfish sometimes.

Make yourself a priority. You know when you’re on a plane and the flight attendant tells you to put your oxygen mask on before helping others? That’s because you’re no help to others if you aren’t stable. Take care of yourself first.

7. Cut yourself some slack.

Stop being your own critic. I promise you’re doing better than you think.

8. When faced with a struggle you have two options: let it destroy you or make you stronger.

The choice is up to you. Just because you face defeat doesn’t mean you’re defeated.

9. No one who has hurt you is worth crying over.

I promise whoever you’re crying about now, you’ll be laughing about later. Don’t give them the satisfaction of breaking you.

10. Only you can make yourself feel some kind of way.

People will hurt you, use you, and drop you. But how you feel after is up to you. You control how you feel. The stupid stuff can’t touch you if you don’t let it.

11. The definition of a true friend.

Friends are meant to lift you up. If someone is trying to bring you down, they’re not a friend.

12. My mom is my best friend (and she's always right).

You will most likely realize this right before you have to leave her for college. This will result in many facetime calls and visits home for shopping days and mani-pedis.

13. Time heals everything.

Every morning starts a new day. Each new day something you’re struggling with will get a little easier, as long as you believe it.

14. Stop making assumptions about people, you're probably wrong.

Everyone has their own story and their own struggles. If you don’t know the story, you can’t decide it for yourself.

15. Your mental health is more important than a test.

This is a big one. One bad grade won’t be the end of the world. If you need to take time off, do it. If you need to stop studying and go to sleep, do it. Your teachers will understand.

16. Not everyone is going to like you.

The reailty. Nothing you do will ever be perfect, so don’t change for anyone.

17. Everyone you meet is a blessing or a lesson.

It's up to you to figure out who’s who, trust one, but appreciate both.

18. Believe in the fairytale. It does exist.

Believe it or not, life will work out.