On Wednesday, I will be turning 19 years old, which means I will soon be putting my beloved teenage days behind me. Every day I learn more and more about what being an adult means. Although I'm still young, I've learned some valuable lessons. So, here's some of the wisdom I've gathered over the last 19 years.
1. Work hard because it will eventually pay off
There will be times when you think the homework assignment your teacher gave you is stupid or the customer in front of you doesn't appreciate how hard you are working. Although you may think it's pointless to put forth your best effort into everything you do, people notice and often admire your hard work.
2. Don't be afraid to put yourself first
You will always have your own wants and needs, and no matter what happens, it is important to fulfill them. If you need to cut someone out of your life or say no to something, just do it. At the end of the day, you are the most valuable person, so it's okay put yourself first when making decisions.
3. It's okay to be sad, to have a bad day and to feel embarrassed
Sadness and embarrassment are normal feelings. It's okay to have a bad day once in a while, as long as you don't let it hold you back. Everyone has days where they feel insecure. It's important to work through those feelings and remind yourself that tomorrow is a fresh day.
4. Eat delicious food
Life is simply too short for strict diets. You shouldn't spend every day waiting in the McDonald's drive thru, but that doesnt mean you can't endulge in some good food. Calories can be thrown out the window once in a while!
5. Value your time
Time will always go by faster than you think. You don't realize you're making memories until the moment is over. In middle school and high school, I spent all my time daydreaming about the day I would be living by myself in a big city. Although I'm grateful for my new life in Boston, I wish I had enjoyed my time being a kid.
6. Never stop learning new things
You don't know everything and you never will, but that doesn't mean you should give up on learning new things.
7. Step put of your comfort zone
Eat weird food, go places you normally wouldn't, strike up a conversation at a party. Don't spend all your time in a bubble or cooped up in your room. Trust me, Netflix will be waiting for you when you return.
8. It's okay to be interested in things that are different or not mainstream
The music you listen to doesn't have to be one of the top 50 songs on the radio. The clothes you wear don't have to be a designer label. Do what you love and everyone else will respect that. The best person you can be is yourself, so don't pretend to like certain things just because it's "what everyone else is doing."
9. Call your family
Your family loves you and you will miss them more than you think. Drop a line whenever you can.
10. Not everyone will like you
Yes, you're an awesome human, but unfortunately not everyone is able to see your awesomeness. Those people just aren't meant for you.
11. Stay positive and try to see the bright side of every situation
Not everything in life is great. In fact, you're going to end up in some pretty shitty situations. When you find yourself in a pickle, it's important to find the good in the bad.
12. Travel as often as possible
The world is filled with a plethora of people and interesting cultures. Life is not meant to be spent in one place, or at least mine wasn't. Get out into the world, meet people and see how they live differently than you. Even if it's scary, it will be worth it in the end.
13. The only opinion that matters is yours
Don't let other people bother you with mean comments. People will say negative things about you; that's inevitable. You just can't let them bring you down.
14. Don't forget to laugh and cry
About a year ago, I heard Jimmy Valvano's 1993 ESPY award speech for the first time. As he was accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award award, he said, "If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.” Once I heard him say this, I've tried to live by his words ever since.
15. Avoid negative and toxic people
The last thing you want in life is to be surrounded by people that bring you down and make you feel bad. When you notice that a person is constantly pessimistic, it's time to let them go.
16. Balance alone time and a social life
Being alone and being with friends and family are both equally important. Take time to be alone, collect your thoughts and get some space, but don't spend every second alone in your bedroom. After a few hours or maybe a day, call some friends and have some fun with them.
17. Accept the fact that you will make mistakes
You are not perfect because it is impossible for anyone to be perfect. Whenever you make a mistake, it's best to accept it, learn from it and move on.
18. Look up
There's a world beyond the screen of your phone. Look up at everything around you. Once you start putting your screen down, you'll quickly realize how much you've been missing while scrolling through Snapchat or Instagram.
19. Smile when you look in the mirror
Smile, even if you're the only one who sees it. Remind yourself to always be happy. Life is good!
