When I turned 18, everything was new and it was exciting. I was scared to start college, but excited to be away from home. The world is a completely different place when you leave home, and even just a year later...I am a different person. Looking back there's some advice I wish I had. For people just turning 18, or even past it who want to share a little wisdom to those they love, here are 18 things I wish I knew at 18:
1. The boy who broke your heart won't matter to you in a year
Yeah, it might hurt in the moment, it may feel like the absolute end of the world...but in a year you'll be healed and moved on. You'll be happy and what he did to you won't matter anymore.
2. Participate in school events
Make the most out of high school, make the most out of college, make the most out of life. Sure, sleeping the extra hour instead of getting up for the early morning game sounds nice...but you're missing out on great memories with good people.
3. Wear what makes you comfortable
If on the first day of class you want to wear sweats, do it. If you want to wear a dress in the winter, do it. If you want to wear a crop top and jeans even though it's 100 degrees, do it. If a polo-tee and shorts is your thing, wear them. It doesn't matter what you wear. You don't have anyone but yourself to impress. Do what makes you the happiest.
4. It's okay to cry
If you need to cry, let it all out. It doesn't make you weak, it doesn't make you the target of jokes, it doesn't do anything but help you feel a little better.
5. You're going to make mistakes, and you'll make lots of them.
You will do wrong to your friends, you will take the wrong train or subway, you will make a wrong turn, you will mess something up. You are your biggest teacher, and your mistakes are the lessons.
6. Invest time in yourself
You deserve time to yourself...everyone does. Let yourself learn and experience new things. You're allowed to adventure, and you probably should.
7. Speak your mind
No one is a mind reader. If something is bothering you, you need to speak up. Tell people what you're thinking when you're thinking it. Don't wait until everything is bothering you all at once to tell someone how you feel.
8. Things will change
You will not be the same person you are now in a year. You will not even be the same person you were today, tomorrow. Things change, and so do people. Take it all in stride.
9. Make other people feel good
Nothing comes out of tearing another person down, but you always feel good when you build another person up. Don't waste your time and energy being negative, make other people feel good about themselves at least once a day. For me, please make someone feel good every day.
10. Don't settle
You should not be dating someone because you feel like you have to be in a relationship. You should be dating someone who makes you feel adored, not like a chore. Enough said.
11. Your parents or guardians will remain your best friends
They're the people that support and love you more than anyone else in this world. They will continue to be your best friends even after you're legally an adult. Don't take them for granted. Love them with everything you have.
12. Spend money on experiences, not possessions
This one I'm still learning to do. Spend your money on a concert ticket, or on a road trip, or on even a mini golf game. Just spend it on something that you do instead of own, and your life will become richer. The experiences add to who you are as a person, as well as your memories.
13. Don't underestimate yourself
You are capable, worthy, and you are just more than you believe yourself to be.
14. Laugh at yourself
Instead of getting defensive when that kid you hate makes fun of you for tripping in the hallway, beat him to the punch and laugh too. Sometimes things happen, but instead of being butt-hurt, you should learn to laugh.
15. Ignorance is not bliss
Take your studies seriously. Be someone who is able to succeed, someone who has the work-ethic and the means to reach their dreams.
16. Learn to forgive
Do not forgive for the other person, but forgive for yourself. Holding on to a grudge is a whole bunch of negative energy you don't need in your life. Learn to let go.
17. Trust yourself
Sometimes we need to trust our gut when things don't feel right. If you're uncomfortable in a situation, trust yourself enough to leave it before you get in trouble.
18. Be who you were born to be
Stop changing for someone else. At the end of the day, the only person who has to wake up every day and be you, is you. Don't revolve your choices around other people.
