- No matter what you do good or bad, there is always going to be someone who's going to judge you and want to see you fail, but don't let what they say or do stop you from living your life to the fullest and doing what you love
- Just because you call your parents "mom and "dad" doesn't mean that they are going to be there for you when you need them, it doesn't mean they are going to support and love you unconditionally, but that doesn't mean you don't have the ability to grow up to be a great person and an amazing parent to your own child
- We don't deserve dogs because I'm pretty convinced that they are perfect. I mean you can't look at a furry little face with two perked up ears, a little nose, four paws and a wagging tail and not want to hug them. (Also hugging dogs can give them anxiety, so maybe layoff a little bit)
- Life is short. Do what makes you happy, take risks, but try to not get arrested in the process, eat another piece of cake, go for drives at midnight with your best friend blaring music and having the most amazing conversations about life, jump off cliffs (within reason), adopt that dog from the shelter, buy the $70 pair of shoes you've been wanting, get a job that will make you want to get out of bed everyday and put a smile on your face, take naps, love hard, be kind and take pride in everything you do.
- Friends come and go, but some last a lifetime so fight for them and never let them go because they are a blessing and very rare to find
- Starbucks is addictive and expensive, but somehow you can still manage to spend half your pay check there while the other half is spent at target. During the fall or winter, the white chocolate mocha is amazing, but If you get it with soy milk and a couple pumps of caramel syrup it is much sweeter and don't forget the whip cream. In the summer the strawberry refreshers are a go to and if you want a little more tang to it, get it with lemonade! The chocolate cake pops are also pretty great and I don't think I will ever be able to make a decent one, so I'll just go there instead and pretend I made it myself.
- One on one conversations are so important. Getting to know someone by talking for hours on end, learning about their life and experiences, their favorite foods and what they are passionate about is amazing because its easy to judge a book by its cover, but when you finally start reading you begin to realize how great it can be. Texting and talking for an hour are one thing, but connecting with a person on a higher level is an amazing experience that I hope everyone is able to have at least once in their lifetime.
- Talk less and listen more, that's why we were born with two ears and one mouth, so we can listen twice as much as we can talk. Listen to people when they are talking to you because you don't know what they are going through. Pay attention to every word they say and make sure they know you are listening. Ask questions so they know you want to hear what they have to say because by them knowing that just one person is listening and understanding them is important, without that a person can build a wall that is impossible to break down.
- Don't think the people closets to you won't hurt you. You would like to believe that your friends and family would never hurt you, but in reality, they do and when that happens it hurts like hell. The people that are supposed to care about you more than anyone have the ability to hurt you and it sucks, but that doesn't mean you have to hurt others because of it and I've personally fell victim to this, but it doesn't have to be like that because you have the ability to change and be more than how people made you feel. You can question all you want about why your own blood would do something to hurt you, but there are no explanations, believe me I've tried. People are going to do the things they do and continue doing them, but you're going to have the ability to decide whether or not someone deserves to be a part of your life and don't feel bad for doing it because it was probably best for you and the other person in the long run. Try your best to forgive and move on because that's all you really can do.
- Children are blessings. Whether you decide to have them or not, you will probably be faced with them at some point in your life. Make sure they know they are loved dearly and that they have an endless amount of worth. Make sure they know they were wanted even if they weren't planned and make them know they were anything but a mistake because that will stick with them for the rest of their life, trust me I know. They are so full of innocence, so try and keep it that way as long as possible.
- Give back, even if it's the small things. Help the elderly woman crossing the street, buy a meal for the homeless man sitting on the corner, stand up for the kid being bullied in the hallway, volunteer at a shelter, give blood, donate etc… Do things that put a smile on someone else's face even if it's just for a short time because whether you want to believe it or not, at some point in life everybody needs help.
- Sweatpants are probably the most comfortable piece of clothing in the world, especially the ones at Walmart for only $8, I mean come on you can't miss out on a deal like that.
- Music is healing. Listen to it when you're mad, sad, happy, excited or even nervous because it really does help. It can make a difference in someone's life and the best part about it, is that its always there when you need it.
- Being a teenage kind of sucks. Adults don't really like us and they make judgement. They think we are all rude, loud, annoying and self-centered, but if they got the chance to know us they might think a little differently. People won't understand you or what your going through, unless your fortunate enough to meet someone who understands you completely. People put stereotypes on us, like watching every step we take in a store because they think were going to steal, they think we are all lazy and unmotivated, they believe we are too young to understand anything about life, that we're irresponsible and my personal favorite is when they say "they are just going through a phase". Please stop making assumptions based on little to no information because not every teenager is the same, yeah, we make mistakes, but so does every other person on earth and oh yeah everyone was a teenager at one time, so keep that in mind.
- Love Yourself, something that is easier said than done, but possible. Love your body and don't hurt it because you will have scars, internal and external as a reminder. Accept your flaws and love them because they make you who you are. Wear makeup, or go natural, curl your hair or put it in a bun, go to the gym or eat a cupcake because either way your perfect. Want a tattoo? Awesome get one or two or three. Piercings? Fuck yes, go for it. Treat yourself because you are worth it. Be proud of who you are and what your capable of. You're amazing and the whole world is waiting to see what you have in store. Don't let someone's judgement be the reason you don't see that your beautiful.
- Spiders are horrifying and don't let anyone tell you any different. Something that has more than 4 legs and crawls into small spaces should not exist. My advice would be to just stare at it to make sure it doesn't move or come close to you, then call someone to come and kill it, or put something over it until someone comes home and if all else fails, get a bottle of hairspray and spray it until it stops moving, but then you have to buy more hairspray so it's a lose lose situation. You can't win when it comes to spiders.
- Try to not compare yourself to others. If I've learned anything, it would be that comparison destroys you, it makes you feel less than, see the world from a bitter and mean point of view and pretty much worthless. You are you and that's amazing, don't compare yourself to people or situations that seem "perfect" because in reality nothing or no one is perfect.
- Lastly, just because you are 18 does not mean you're an adult, well I mean I guess it kind of does, but since when does a number suddenly change your responsibilities and peoples expectations? I mean just because you turn one year older suddenly means that you can make grown up decisions? I think not, because remember your brain isn't even fully developed until you're 25 and you can't beat science. Have fun, don't do stupid shit because you will get arrested, but remember it's not illegal if you don't get caught…. Just kidding it is so be careful, buy a pack of cigarettes just because you can, buy a lottery ticket, some blunt wraps that smell like cherries and do things you want just because you can. Some day you will pay bills, make dinner and go to work every day, but until then have fun. Most adults that I have witnessed are living boring and sad lives, so even though you are technically labeled as one doesn't mean you have to act like one... for now at least.
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health, says science
women in street dancing
Photo by 
man and woman standing in front of louver door
Photo by 
man in black t-shirt holding coca cola bottle
Photo by 
red and white coca cola signage
Photo by 
man holding luggage photo
Photo by 
topless boy in blue denim jeans riding red bicycle during daytime
Photo by 
trust spelled with wooden letter blocks on a table
Photo by 
Everyone is Welcome signage
Photo by 
man with cap and background with red and pink wall l
Photo by 
difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations desk decor
Photo by 
photography of woman pointing her finger near an man
Photo by 
closeup photography of woman smiling
Photo by 
a man doing a trick on a skateboard
Photo by 
two men 
running man on bridge
Photo by 
orange white and black bag
Photo by 
girl sitting on gray rocks
Photo by 
assorted-color painted wall with painting materials
Photo by 
three women sitting on brown wooden bench
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
people sitting on chair in front of computer
