Reflection is a necessity. There always comes a moment where we look to reminisce on times that keep us grounded. These past few days for me have been a time of reflection. It's an astonishing thought to even process that I have been living on this earth for a full two decades. Thus far, through my exhilarating and sometimes arduous journey, I have learned many life lessons that made me the individual I am today.
1. Everything happens for a reason. Coming from someone who was skeptical about this saying, it's true. Bad things happen so good things can come. Especially in the past year, I've thought back and realized that I'm glad that some things didn't work out the way I originally would have liked them to.
2. '80s movies are unlike anything else. Personally, I believe this was the peak for the film industry. These cinematic masterpieces that introduced us to new types of styles, personality dynamics, clothes, hair, and lingo is why I desire to live in that time period.
3. Listening to music heals your soul. Whether you're into hip-hop, new wave or indie, music is a universal language. It's art and more importantly, it's there for you when no one else is. Music allows every individual to express themselves in ways that their own words would never be able to explain.
4. Don't hate things you don't understand. Nothing is more infuriating than having someone speak about something that they never even got to know. Don't be one of those people.
5. Being independent is terrifying, yet thrilling. During your college years, I encourage everyone to spend at least one year away. The experience you get from being on your own lasts a lifetime.
6. You make yourself happy. No, not a man or anybody else. You are the one responsible for your own happiness. No one should put their happiness in the hands of someone else.
7. If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room. These are the wise words of Taylor Swift, and they are true. Surround yourself with individuals who you can learn from and grow with.
8. Read. I was never a fan of reading until I came to the realization that it's a vital aspect of life. Even by reading your textbook from marketing class or your favorite novel, reading automatically allows us to expand our horizons by giving us essential information about life that's occurring around us.
9. Play with your pets. All your pets want from you is love and affection. After losing my dog last year, I realized how much I wish I could have had more time with her.
10. Fall in love with something. A city, an instrument, a show, a book, anything. I mean truly love, a love beyond something considered colloquial. It's crucial to feel love from different directions of life.
11. Everyone needs a mental health day or two. With struggling to manage the workload at school, busy work schedules and an active social life, it's certainly difficult to secure a day like that. However, somewhere in between all of the chaos, be sure to take care of yourself-- there's no one more important.
12. Being humble goes a long way. Braggers and showoffs aren't all that. The materialistic things don't matter and there's no reason to flaunt them. Braggers express signs of insecurity, but remaining humble exhibits self-assurance.
13. Don't let anyone try to persuade you of your beliefs. Stand your ground and don't succumb to the pressures of someone else's beliefs. You're your own person and deserve to have your own voice.
15. I'd rather have one true friend than 100 fake ones. As I'm getting older, I realize that my circle keeps getting smaller and this isn't a bad thing. Finding true friends that understand you is something that everyone deserves to have.
16. Sometimes it's good to take a break from technology and recognize the world and it's beauty. Letting your phone die and not rushing to plug it into the nearest outlet is satisfying. To disconnect and escape to something greater than ourselves could give everyone a sense of realization.
17. Take chances, because you never know where you may end up. Living without the fear of failure makes taking chances feel that much more valuable. And if you do fail, so what? Don't get discouraged and try again. Where would people like Bill Gates, Walt Disney, or Oprah Winfrey be if they had given up after their first attempt at success?
18. Drawing is a form of relaxation. Buy a children's coloring book or go to a painting class, it'll clear your head and take you away from reality for the time being.
19. Living in the moment is important. It's human nature to stray away from the realization that we're alive and present. Being spontaneous and living without apprehension is key.
20. What you put into the universe is what comes back to you. I believe strongly in karma and the notion of "what goes around, comes around." Being your best self won't go unnoticed.
Now with year 21 quickly approaching, I expect to grow and learn much more than I had when turning 20. In the end, how much we've grown and learned is what life is supposed to be about.
