1. You don't owe anyone an explanation if you decide to leave. If you feel that something isn't right and you no longer want to continue walking down that path, stop, and leave. Nobody has the power to stop you from living your life your way.
2. Not everyone has the same heart as you. You have a good heart, and people will take advantage of that. Some people will hurt you horribly and will not care. Do not let that harden you. Stay kind.
3. You will change. You're supposed to, so don't be afraid if one day you wake up and realize you aren't who you were five years ago or even five months ago. You are destined to change and grow. Experience will shape you to who you are meant to be.
4. You're not supposed to have it all together now. You're still so young, you have time to figure your life out. It may not feel like it but trust me, you have plenty of time.
5. Everyone grieves at different rates and that is okay. Some people take days, some take years. However long it takes is okay and is one-hundred-percent valid. Don't worry.
6. There will be times that you will want to speak up for what you want but will feel like you just can't for one reason or another. Do not bite your tongue. Well behaved people rarely make history. Let your voice be heard. You were given a purpose in this world and nobody can take that away from you.
7. Never underestimate how much listening to someone means to them. To know that someone is there and hearing them out is one of the greatest gifts you could give someone, especially during a hard time.
8. You will have many days that will have you feeling like getting out of bed is like climbing Everest. Always remember even your worst days are only twenty-four hours. They will feel like a long twenty-four hours, but these hours will end.
9. Your feelings are valid. No exceptions. If you feel hurt, upset, happy, whatever, you have a right to feel that way. Nobody can tell you how to feel, they aren't you.
10. Listen to your mom and her instincts. She seems to always know who's up to no good and who is actually good for you. She's gotten it right 99-percent of the time so far. She can see what you can't in people's character. She knows what she's talking about.
11. Actually, listen to your mom for advice, too. You've never lived without her but she's lived without you. She knows more than you can imagine and understands more than you can believe. Talk to her and listen to what she has to say that relate to you. Chances are you'll figure things out just by talking it out with her.
12. Take pictures. There will be a time when something will happen and you will want to remember everything about that time. Sights, smells, songs. Take pictures, you will thank yourself later for these gifts of captured memories.
13. You are going to worry about the future more than once. Try to stay in the present. You will never live the same day twice, so live every day to it's fullest. Live a life you will look back on with joy that that was your life.
14. Your high school years are not the best years of your life. If you hear that it's a lie. Don't fall for it. They won't be the worst years and they won't be the best. They are years that you will make a bunch of wonderful and horrible memories that will help shape you into who you are meant to be in the future.
15. Friendships are supposed to make you feel like the world is a bit brighter with them there. If you feel drained and like you need to defend their actions if they do you wrong, leave. Just leave. They are not worth your time, and you do not need to give them any warning. Just leave. If a friend apologizes, you do not need to say "it's okay" because chances are it was not and is not okay and they aren't really sorry. They will do it again if you say "it's okay" so think before you speak.
16. Do things that your future self will thank you for. Take a chance, try something new. You never know the path that it will take you down the line.
17. Believe in yourself. Many times you'll feel like there's no point to trying if you can't be the best and you'll want to give up before you even begin. Don't let yourself give up. Try, and keep trying. You don't need to be perfect, people will love you and be proud of you regardless of if you're number one or not.
18. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. Sometimes being strong means knowing when to lean on others rather than doing everything yourself. Bottling everything in does more damage than it does good.
19. You are enough. You have been and always will be enough. Your life is beautiful, you are here for a reason and you are enough. Never forget that.
