Being 19 is a very interesting time. It's an age where you are still young, but you sense the oldness and responsibility coming towards you. Society is expecting you to make life-altering decisions while you are simultaneously trying to figure out who you are and what you want to be. There is so much in your mind and in your heart that you barely have time to think about what you are wearing. You want it all, but you can't have it. You want to be prepared for everything in life, but you don't even know what you are preparing for. So, over the past year, I have been through quite a few things that have taught me some pretty important lessons before I hit the 20s.
1. I am not an adult.
I don't care that 18 means you are a legal adult. I am still a kid, I don't want to do this adult thing just yet.
2. Life is short.
Some of those people who were here when I was younger aren't here anymore. When I was little, the adults in my life seemed to live forever-- and now some are gone, teaching me to live every day like it's my last.
3. My problems aren't as big as I think they are.
I have learned to be considerate. My problems may seem huge to me, but others are going through things I have never even imagined. Be kind, always.
4. It's okay not to have my life together all the time.
Sometimes (all the time), I feel like my life is a constant sh*t show. I don't even know what's happening sometimes -- life is like, "hey this happening right now, whatcha gonna do about it?"
5. Water your own grass and plant your own damn flowers.
This has been an important one for me. With my friends all over posting about how much fun they have and how much they party, it's hard not to compare. But I have realized the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I need to make the most of what is in front of me.
6. What is meant to be yours will always be yours.
As hard as it has been for me, letting go might be the best thing I can do for my own personal sanity. Sometimes, things aren't meant to be in your life right in that the moment, but that doesn't mean it is gone forever. My mom always tells me, "if it's meant to be, it will be."
7. Just breathe.
I literally try to tell myself this every single day. Some days, relaxing is all you need.
8. Mother is always right.
She's "been there, done that" with every single thing you are going through. And look at her now-- she knows exactly how to get through it. Listen.
9. Call yourself out on your own bullshit.
If you mess up, own up to it. There is no need to deny if you did something wrong. People will respect you more if you admit to being wrong.
10. You have so much life ahead of you.
The best years of life are just around the corner. This isn't going to make or break me and I can't wait to see where my life goes after this.
11. Don't sweat the small stuff.
At the end of the day, if something from the day isn't bothering me anymore, I move on. I'm not going to waste my time on something that is irrelevant and unimportant.
12. Who cares what day it is? Go out with your friends.
This is the time do whatever you want. Yeah, we have responsibilities, but they aren't as big as the ones that will hold us back from these moments in a few years.
13. Always be there for those you love.
I don't care what time it is or how much homework you have. If your friend is crying, be with her. The ones you always count on to lean on sometimes need you.
14. Travel.
I don't care how much money you do or don't have -- make it work. Traveling will teach us more than sitting in a classroom ever will.
15. Don't pressure yourself.
This will forever be a work in progress...
16. Take a random class.
You honestly might fall in love with it and realize this is what you are passionate about.
17. Not all friends are forever.
This is OK. You have to learn to let people go. If you aren't losing friends, you aren't growing up.
18. Be selfish.
Put yourself first sometimes. This is a growing time, and how are you supposed to grow if you aren't thinking about yourself? Everyone needs to be a little Kanye sometimes.
19. Let life happen.
Just go with the flow honestly. No matter what you do, life is going to happen... the way it's supposed to.
