What I’ve figured out so far:
1. Don’t stress the small stuff.
Let the small things go. You’re way too busy to stress about every little thing. A day, a week, a month from now it won’t matter and you’ll feel silly for worrying so much.
2. You will grow out of some friendships.
Not everyone who comes into your life is meant to stay there. The friendships that are meant to last will and those that aren’t will fizzle out. But remember that everyone, lasting or temporary, comes into your life for a reason.
3. Parents can spot a fake friend before you can.
If your parents think one of your friends isn’t a good influence or doesn’t have your best interests at heart, they are probably right.
4. Call your parents. Often.
We seem to always forget that parents were 19 once also. They’ve been where we’ve been and can usually offer the best advice.
5. You aren’t going to be good at everything.
This was a tough pill to swallow. But realizing that you aren’t going to be good at everything takes a lot of pressure away. Suddenly trying and failing isn’t the worst thing in the world and what becomes more important is that you tried in the first place.
6. It is totally okay to stay in when all your friends go out.
There will be another party. I promise. So if you want to stay in and wear sweatpants and watch "Criminal Minds," do it.
7. People grow at different paces.
Not everyone is going to grow and mature at the same rate as you will and it may seem frustrating. Stay patient and recognize that while people may be the same age or even older than you are, they are on their own distinct journey and are not necessarily at the same point in their life as you are or as you think they should be. And that’s okay.
8. It’s okay, and quite frankly normal, to be unsure about your future.
It is completely normal to not be sure where you want to be five or ten years from now. It is completely normal to not even be sure where you want to be five or ten minutes or days from now. Not knowing is not a bad thing. You'll figure it out eventually.
9. Blood does not mean family.
Sharing blood does not mean you are family. And not sharing blood does not mean you aren’t family.
10. It’s nice to be important but more important to be nice.
You don’t have to be best friends with everyone but be nice. Smile. Include people. Say hi. It is infinitely more important to just be nice and friendly towards other people.
11. It’s okay not to be okay.
It is not possible to have all your crap together all the time. There will be times when you aren’t going to be okay, and that’s okay! The only way you are going to get okay is when you realize that you aren’t.
12. Holding grudges isn’t worth it.
There are far more important things to fill your time with other than holding grudges. Forgive and forget. Or forgive but don’t forget. But forgive and move forward. Holding grudges only holds you back.
13. Do things for you.
Be your own person. Do the things that make you happy. You aren’t going to want to look back on your life and realize you filled it with memories that don’t make you happy.
14. Don’t apologize for your feelings.
Your feelings are valid. They are not something to be excused or apologized for. Believe that your opinions and feelings are worth voicing and do so.
15. Say “please” and “thank you”.
Manners are important. Learn them. Use them.
16. You can never have too many pairs of socks.
The answer to “do I really need to buy more socks” is ALWAYS yes. Socks somehow always seem to go missing and you will never ever regret buying a few more pairs.
17. You will never outgrow drinking chocolate milk.
Ever.
18. Everyone is fighting their own battle.
Everyone around you is living as life as complex, emotional, and confusing as you are. And once you can realize that the people surrounding you weren’t put there simply to worry about your own problems and that they themselves have their own unique complexities going on in their lives, you are capable of being extremely more empathetic and compassionate.
19. The world doesn’t owe you anything.
Don’t expect any handouts in life. You aren’t entitled to anything in this world so go out and work hard for it.
