18 years is not a lot of time--in the grand scheme of things, that is. But when you break it down, it turns into a lot of time. 18 years is 216 months. 18 years is 938.57 weeks. 18 years is 6570 days filled with countless hours, minutes, and seconds that can be spent as productively (or not) as you want. On July 17, I turned 18. Aside from celebrating with friends, family and more delicious food than my stomach could fit, I decided to compose a list of 18 things that I've learned in my short/long/timeless 18 years.
1. Never end a phone call to your family and friends without saying that you love them.
It may be dolorous, but you really never know when the last time you will talk to someone. I never walk out of the house or hang up a phone call without calling out a "Love you!" or a "Love you more!"
2. Coming from an ardent dog-lover, cats really aren't that bad.
Sure, cats are usually self-centered and needy, but they teach you how to coexist without instantaneously being able to get what you want (which, in my case, is usually a cuddle). They make you work for attention but in the end reward you with (surprising) loyalty, purrs and meows.
3. Don't just travel, immerse yourself.
It's one thing to travel to another country, take it another step further and become a local. Consider a homestay with a family (and get a view like this!), it'll be a chance to really improve your language skills or to pick up a new one altogether. The locals know the best hidden gems of whatever city you may be in, plus, you'll be able to have a great new friend.
4. Future success is the product of years of self-discipline.
It's a cliche that tomorrow's success is worked for today, however, an alternative angle is this: today's hard work is building a foundation. The foundation can be used for anything. You may have a master plan to your life, build it up from your foundation. And if your master plan happens to be rewritten, just keep building.
5. Find what works for you.
Look for hobbies, interests and passions that are catered to what you love (could be a sport or it could be something like model United Nations). Life's too short to spend time doing things that you hate.
6. Be comfortable with being alone.
As life begins to pick up the pace, you will be caught up in a whirlwind of activities which your friends and family won't always be able to accompany. Learn to not depend on one another's company.
7. You will never please everyone.
You can be the smartest, wittiest, prettiest, anything-est, but there will always be someone who is looking for something else. Make your own standards and judge your actions and performances against those, not others'.
8. "Do it as best as you can or not at all."
When I was younger and was in charge of doing the dishes, I tried to do the least amount of work possible. I would pile the dishes in the dishwasher without rinsing, slam the door shut and be on my way. That was when I have my first recollection of my mom telling me to do things as best as I can or not at all (with the "not at all" part not really being a viable option). I hand-washed dishes before loading them to be washed again in the dishwasher, wiped down the counters, took out the trash--the whole kit and caboodle. Now, the same method has translated over to everything I do, from schoolwork to friendships, and I can honestly say it has never backfired.
9. Honesty is the only way to have healthy relationships.
With your family, with friends, with yourself. Any lies or half-truths will only add tension and stress to the relationship.
10. Being honest is hard.
It's easier to lie and say you are busy instead of saying no to plans because you don't want to go out. That does not mean that it is better to do so. However, addressing uncomfortable situations when they're still small will pay off in the long run.
11. Do not, under any circumstances, eat a hotdog from Yesterdog.
You just might get food poisoning while at work only for your ailments to be blown off by the manager.
12. Do take chances.
You might not get into your dream school, but then again you might land a job that you love. You gain some, lose some, but always win in the end. From every limb you stretched out on, you can see what you are capable of (like learning how to snowboard under French instruction in -50 degree weather in Canada), stretching that capacity further and further each time.
13. Give yourself more credit.
We are always our worst critics because we place high expectations on ourselves. While it's good to do so, it is also definitely necessary to take a step back and remind ourselves that we are doing just fine.
14. Annotate books. Always.
I like to think that in the books we read, we look for bits and pieces of ourselves. Maybe in a phrase here or the diction there. Or perhaps in the books we read we find bits and pieces of ourselves.
15. Take the consideration to be especially kind to people.
We never quite know what people have going on that they aren't sharing--may as well share some smiles or kind words. No one's ever gotten mad at anyone for being nice.
16. Take care of yourself.
Physically, eat well, work out, meditate if that's your thing. Deep condition your hair, use a face mask. Mentally, take off some of the pressure you put on yourself. Emotionally, don't hold back (so long as it's not destructive). Cry if you need to, laugh, sleep, whatever. It takes extra work but is needed.
17. Set goals.
Make a life plan if you need direction, or start small and make a weekly goal. Write them down: once your ideas are tangible, they become a real possibility and your motivation will sky rocket.
18. Slow down.
Life isn't going anywhere. You have all the time you need to get what you need done. And if not every item is crossed off your to-do list, so what? Eliminate something off your list and go for a run. Go read a book in the sunshine, something pleasurable. Relax, but get ready to take the next day by storm.
