In less than 24 hours, I will turn 20 and before this happens, I can't help but look back on my 19 years thus far and try to leave those who are still in their teens with some advice. I can't guarantee that I have lived up to all these pieces of advice, actually most of these are lessons I've learned and hope to help people in the future to not go down the same path I did:
1. Don't lose track of who you are.
Always take a step back and evaluate your life. Don't lose sight of the morals you stand by and always be proud of the person you are at the end of the day.The only person who you are trying to live for is yourself.
2. Laugh it off when you mess up or embarrass yourself.
Being wrong isn't the end of the world. In fact, you learn more when you are corrected and try again. Being vulnerable and getting shot down is not as big of a deal as you think it is. Get back up and keep living! Embarrassing moments happen (for some more often than others), but if you can just laugh and get over it, you'd be surprised how far you can come.
3. Always make time for your family.
When you're not doing something, pick up the phone and call your mom. When you find an interesting article online, shoot your dad an email. When you feel like no one else understands what you are going through, never forget about your brother or sister. Remember that friends come and go, but family is forever.
4. Never ever change who you are for other people.
Sometimes it is easy to fall into what the rest of the crowd is doing. Always remember that you are your own person. The things that make you different are the things people love about you most! As Herman Melville said, "It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation."
5. Cherish the moments you have and the places you are while you're still there.
After my parents moved to Poland, I began to realize the many times I took moments for granted. Put down your cellphone and appreciate the places and people you are with because you never know when you will get those special times again.
6. Take every chance you get to travel and learn new things.
I used to hate traveling because I was afraid to fly, and although that fear hasn't gone away, I've realized how important it is to see new places and learn the culture of other people. Knowledge is the most powerful and attractive thing a person can have.
7. Overuse "I love you."
Tell those close to your heart that you love them every day. You never know when it will be the last time you talk to someone, and besides that, "I love you" is the best thing to say and hear! My mom and I never leave a fight without saying "I love you" because we know that no matter what the argument is, the most important thing to remember is that we love each other.
8. Learn when to let go.
No one is good at this one, me especially. The hardest thing to do in life is walk away from something, especially if it's not your choice. If someone else doesn't want you in their life anymore, know that better things are to come. Anyone who doesn't want you, doesn't deserve your tears or thoughts.
9. Be nice to everyone, even those who are mean to you.
As my mom always told me to do, "Kill them with kindness." The best thing you can do someone who isn't nice to you is smile and show them that you are the bigger person. The mean girl is the saddest inside!
10. The right person will love you for exactly who you are.
Don't change yourself for someone so that they will love you. Meet the person who loves you for all your weird quirks; the right person will be worth waiting for!
11. Befriend someone who looks like they need a friend.
If you see somebody being left out or who needs a friend, show them that there is always a friend in you. I was the new girl plenty of times and those who befriend you first, even if you are different, are the ones you will always remember and cherish.
12. Never exclude, always include.
Think of it like this: the more you include people, the more people will want to include you.
13. It's OK to let yourself be hurt.
Experiencing new things and letting yourself get let down or hurt is a part of life. If you never take chances, you'll never find the right thing.
14. Don't be afraid to show your emotions.
Emotions aren't a sign of weakness, tell people how you feel when you're feeling that way.
15. Don't feel sorry for yourself.
Everyone is going through something!!!
16. Fight for what matters.
Whether it's a new job, a significant other or a friend you've gotten into a bad fight with, never let something go that is important to you just because things get hard or because it's become too much of a burden on your life. Fight for what you want, always.
17. Never let someone tell you that you can't do something.
You can do anything you want to do, never let anyone tell you different. Life throws challenges that you don't think you'll overcome but there is no such thing as impossible!
18. Don't be afraid to admit when you're wrong, you're only human.
No one is perfect, admit when you've done something wrong and become a better person because of it.
19. Learn to love yourself before you love anyone else.
You'll never be happy with someone until you realize that there is something to love about you. Don't rely on anyone else to create your happiness.
