On the fourth of August, I will turn 19, and I want to look back on the lessons I've learned. Before you start rolling your eyes, yes, I know 19 is not that old. But, in these 19 years, I have learned plenty of lessons that have shaped who I am today. I am grateful for those lessons and look forward to the ones I will learn in the years to come.
Lesson 1:
Cookies and cake are your friend, my love of food has been instilled in me since I was born. I also learned that the best side to pizza is croutons (do not knock it till you try it). Also, I learned that food is a thing that brings people together. It also is great when you are watching hours worth of Netflix or YouTube.
Lesson 2:
Overalls will always be a trend, even if it may die out for a couple of years. I rocked overalls when I was 2, and now I see them in high-end stores. Trends always find a way to become popular again, just like bucket hats (there is a picture of me in overalls and a neon pink bucket hat at age 2).
Lesson 3:
Boys do have cooties, no matter what we are told as young adults. I ran away from boys at age 3, and I still avoid them like the plague. Cooties are a real thing because obviously, boys are from Mars and girls are from Venus.
Lesson 4:
Never share your food, EVER. Seriously, though, why would you share food if you can eat it all yourself? That awesome lunch your mom packs for you will only last so many years. Soon, you will have to buy lunch from your high school cafeteria, and trust me it is not food. Do not share those shaped pb&j sandwiches, Lunchables, or the holy grail of lunch Capri sun.
Lesson 5:
Material items are what they are called, material items. They may be sentimental, but they are not the most important thing in the world. You can usually replace them, and the memory they once held will always be with you.
Lesson 6:
Family isn't just shared DNA, it is about loving and caring about one another. Some family that shares DNA, well they really aren't much of a family. But, the people in your life who love and care for you, those people are your family.
Lesson 7:
Never let anyone make you change who you are to seek their approval. You are your own person, and you need to rock that. If someone wants you to change, or conform to a certain way in order to be friends. Well, that person will not make a good friend, and they are not too great of a person either.
Lesson 8:
New places may be scary, but that is only because it is new. Once you settle in and adjust to your new location, you will think of it as home. Change is a scary thing, but after a while, it becomes your normal.
Lesson 9:
Pets are built in best friends, they are loyal and love you unconditionally. Well almost unconditionally, there are the times when they do not want to share your bed and hiss. But, regardless they are loyal companions that make you smile.
Lesson 10:
Failing at something does not negate all the things you are good at. No one is good at everything, and you will get better at certain things as you age. But, you can not disregard your capabilities because you are not good at one skill.
Lesson 11:
Speak your mind, even if your opinion is the minority one. Try to conform with the masses just to fit in is not a way to live. Your mind is beautiful because of the different opinions, that is what makes us all individuals. So stick to your guns, and never back down because you think your opinion is not right.
Lesson 12:
Constructive criticism is not something that is bad. It may suck at the time, and you may feel bad about yourself at the moment. But, at the end of the day, it builds character and teaches you how to improve as a person.
Lesson 13:
Girls can be mean sometimes, but that does mean that you have to be mean back. Be the better person and hold your head up high. The idea of being mean to someone who was mean to you is counterintuitive. Just focus on all the positive aspects of life and people, dwelling on the negative is toxic.
Lesson 14:
You may cry and get upset, but it won't hurt forever. Teenagers have a lot of hormones and confused feelings, and that is okay. You are going to get hurt and you are going to hurt people.
Lesson 15:
Academics are the most important aspect of school, so do not let drama get in the way of that. Working hard now will help build your opportunities for the future. So, say yes to taking those AP classes or doing that club. These experiences will greatly benefit you in the future.
Lesson 16:
Looking a certain way will not bring you happiness. Fitting into those pair of high-waisted shorts will not make you feel whole. Nor will working out countless hours make you feel happy. Wanting to be healthy is good if you want to be healthy for your body. Dieting and working out in order to be a certain size, well that will definitely not make you happy.
Lesson 17:
Heartbreaks sucks, but you will move on from it. You will smile and laugh again, it will just take some time. Appreciate the moments of joy, instead of focusing on the heartbreak. Eventually, you will put yourself back together.
Lesson 18:
You are allowed to change your mind, and try over. Being young does have it's perks, one of them being more opportunities to explore other options. If you do not like something, change it. You think you can have a better option, take it. Life is too precious to spend it doing something you do not absolutely love.
Lesson 19:
To get what you want in life you have to work incredibly hard for it. No one will ever hand you the opportunity, nor will you get there by forcing it. You need to develop a balanced approach, one with motivation but restraint.
