As an 18 (almost 19) year old, I don't claim to know everything there is to know, despite telling my mother otherwise whenever we argue about something. But as I come up on my nineteenth birthday, I'm realizing I've learned some pretty solid life lessons along the way so far.
1. Your mother is pretty much always right, and it's pointless trying to tell her she's wrong.
Yeah, there's a reason this one is first. I laugh thinking back to all the arguments where I thought I was right about things I definitely was not right about it. The point is, your mother has a lot more experience with life than you do. You might not want to believe that you could ever possibly be wrong about anything when you're 13 years old and think you know everything. But she knows much more, and really does only want the best for you.
2. Your happiness matters above all.
You can't go through life aiming to please everyone around you. It's not going to work. And at the end of the day, who's the one you're around the most? Yourself. I know you're thinking that this sounds incredibly cheesy and cliche, but there is a reason it is said over and over again. Make yourself happy first.
3. Don't be ashamed of binge watching a whole season of a TV series on Netflix in one day.
Listen, we've all done it. Sometimes you have to get into your favorite sweats, not leave your couch and watch a whole season of Grey's Anatomy. It's cool, don't feel shame in this. The walk to the kitchen for snacks once in a while will be enough exercise for the day. You're good.
4. Life really does begin at the end of your comfort zone.
I used to be an extremely shy person, and don't get me wrong, I definitely still can be at some times. But if you really try to forget about your shyness and just live your life, try new things, you will live a better life. And no, being shy isn't a bad thing at all. But if you let the shyness take over, and play things safe, you will never experience great experiences.
5. Don't change who you are for a guy. Or anyone really.
It really annoys me to think back on all the times I've tried to change some part of my personality in order to get a guy, or someone I wanted to be friends with, to like me more. *cliche and cheesy line warning* If they don't like you for you, they aren't worth your time. If you're going to change something about yourself, make sure it's for the right reasons, and you alone.
6. If your favorite song comes on, sing at the top of your lungs.
This probably seems like such a silly life lesson, but it's actually a pretty important one to me. In high school I had quite a few friends who's passion was singing, and I can't even count the times I didn't join in when they were blurting out a song. And I always felt sad that I couldn't just let loose and sing along with them. I might not be the best singer but I love singing and it makes me feel good. In college I learned this lesson (possibly with the help of alcohol at first, but hey) and now I don't stop singing ever. The life lesson here might just be to let loose and not care, but oh well, there's a little story for you.
7. Treat yo self.
(Shout out to Parks and Recreation for this one.) Yes, Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle said it best when they said to treat yourself. Splurging on yourself is honestly one of the best things ever, and is the best way to cheer yourself up. But also be careful because this is a very dangerous game to play.
8. Go to all the concerts you can.
Don't be picky with the concerts you go to. If you get the chance to go to a concert, go to it. Live music is live music, and there's nothing better. Chances are you'll have a great time, no matter who you see.
9. Pet all the dogs you possibly can.
Dogs are great. If you see one, pet them. if you see one in the distance, go to them. I love dogs. Pet a lot of dogs.
10. It's possible to be friends with exes.
I feel like this isn't a life lesson that's said too often. There's a quote that I find incredibly stupid and it's "If you can be friends with an ex, you're either still in love or you never were." Like.. no? Some of my best friends are exes. Sometimes you just vibe better as friends, and I don't think there is anything wrong with this.
11. Never say no to a spontaneous adventure.
Some of my best memories are ones I didn't see coming. The ones where you're all settled into bed for the night and someone messages you out of the blue asking you to do something - those are the nights and memories you'll remember best, good or bad. Say yes to new experiences, 9 times out of ten it'll turn out great.
12. Take all of the pictures you can.
The older generation is always complaining about how we're so engrossed in our phones and don't enjoy things as they're happening. And yes, you definitely should leave your phone every so often just embrace things when they're right in front of you. But also take pictures all of the time. I love taking pictures of everything that's happening, and then looking back at them all of the time. So do that - take pictures all of the time.
13. Don't binge watch Criminal Minds within three weeks. You won't be able to walk in your house alone at night anymore.
This one's pretty self explanatory. I learned this the hard way.
14. Don't ever let anyone tell you your passions are stupid. Follow them.
My biggest passion is writing, and I can't even begin to count how many times I've been told it's stupid. But I love it and will continue doing it because it makes me happy. So whatever you're passionate about, keep doing it for as long as it makes you happy.
15. Get tattoos. Seriously. Get a tattoo.
Tattoos are the best to be honest. And yeah, obviously they're not for everyone, and I only have one so far, but I love them so much and plan on getting plenty more. They are the most beautiful way to express yourself. I don't understand why people even do hard drugs. Go get a tat instead. Also, don't think that you need to have a meaningful tattoo and need to have a deep story behind it. I literally got mine because I thought that it looked pretty. And it does, so.
16. Disney movies will literally never stop being good.
I refuse to believe that Disney movies will ever stop being good to me. Finding Nemo has been my favorite movie for years now and I really don't see that changing any time soon. I will most likely be eighty years old and my grand kids will walk in and catch me watching The Lion King for the thousandth time.
17. Your siblings get cooler the older you get.
Okay, well maybe I wouldn't go as far as using the word "cooler." But you definitely tolerate each other more, the older you both get. You kind of form an alliance against your parents at points (when needed), but don't worry, they'll still attempt to rat you out about anything at any chance they get.
18. Trust your gut feelings.
I don't know about anyone else, but I don't think my gut feelings have ever been wrong. Whether it's about a guy, a friend, a situation you're in - whatever your gut is telling you, listen to it. It knows what it's doing.
19. Don't ever let anyone make you feel like you are not worthy of being loved.
This is a very, very important one. Again whether it's a guy, or a friend, or a relative, do not let them put you down to the point where you feel unloved or like you will never be loved or happy. If someone makes you feel this way, remove them from your life because you don't need that.
