1. Less is more.
Double eyeliner might seem trendy at the time, but you WILL look back at your pictures and laugh at yourself for looking like a raccoon at a water park or for having cheeks rosier than Mrs. Claus’. Simple is more attractive and you can never look like a fool when you are looking like yourself.
2. The thoughts of others are irrelevant.
No, they are not laughing at you. No, they are not gossiping about you. No, they are not judging you. Hell, even if they are, who cares? Are you happy with you? Don’t let anybody take away the sunshine in your pocket. You are you, and you rock you. Love yourself, be your own person, and never let anyone decide that you feel otherwise.
3. Don’t look too far ahead in the future.
Enjoy the now. Right now, you’re poking fun at your little sister for playing Barbies as often as she does in the family room, while you sit and watch TV. You blink, and she suddenly begins making fun of herself for playing Barbies that long, long time ago, and you're wishing that you could go back and play with her. Life moves incredibly quickly, and doesn’t slow down. Enjoy right now.
4. You are not your grades.
Yes, excellent grades are a crucial part of getting promoted, graduating, getting accepted into college, and receiving job offers. However, if you are truly trying and just not getting the grades you want, it’s not the end of the world. Never stay up past midnight to get homework done, and never go to school if you are legitimately sick. Yes, work hard for your grades. However, your physical and mental health are your most important responsibility.
5. Treat your body well.
Speaking of staying up past midnight doing homework and studying, don’t do that. The average person, let alone adolescent student, should be receiving at least seven and a half to nine hours of sleep each night. Let your body unfold at an earlier time than you think is reasonable. If you know you need to be up earlier the next morning, make sure to hit the hay sooner than you normally would. Make time for sleep. A fantastic night’s worth of sleep is the key ingredient to a healthy and happy body. As is working out frequently. Treat your workout as a healing session, not a trip to the executioner. If you can’t seem to find the motivation to work hard and honor your body, then use this time to let out all your frustrations and stress. Please, work out not for a “skinny” or “fit” body, but for your mental and cardiac health. Don’t focus on your appearance as much as your mind and heart. Eat whole foods that make your stomach and colon smile. Stretch daily. Take care of yourself.
6. Never ever be embarrassed of yourself or your family.
We don’t have flaws, but quirks. Quirks are what make us who we are and you should embrace the heck out of them! People love you for you, whether you see it or not. Don’t be afraid to stand out and be heard. Sing and laugh loud. Dance like nobody’s watching, even if they are. Kiss the world with your charisma.
7. Love everyone and find the good in the smallest things.
Never encourage someone that they are not good enough. Everyone has worth, whether they are your best friend or an annoying acquaintance that never stops pestering you. Spread love to the Earth and to the people living on it. We all deserve to be here and to be loved endlessly by one another. Never stop loving and finding the good in everybody. We all have it, even if it’s a tiny little spark underneath our skin that not many can see. Just be nice to others and treat everyone as family. Simple as that.
8. Know the difference between having confidence and being just plain cocky.
It’s one thing to be satisfied with yourself and to radiate your self-love to the world around you; being an inspiration in helping others with loving themselves too. It’s another thing to be infatuated with yourself and to show off everything you have accomplished and everything you do, to anyone, let alone people who may not have it at all as well off. Know the difference.
9. Don’t call off of work if you don’t have to.
You got the job because you are qualified and need the money. If you are truly ill, or an emergency arises, it is appropriate to call off your shift. Never call off just because you “don’t feel like it,” or because there’s a really great party you’d regret to miss. Stay responsible for what you applied for, and this goes inside and outside of the workplace. Take responsibility for things and remain loyal to yourself and your employer.
10. Help anyone who needs it and never hold a grudge.
If somebody needs help with something, anything, help as much as you can, not because you would want help in the same situation, but because you are physically able. Be more trusting of people and never hold anything against anyone who has been dishonest with you in the past. We all fib here and there, and we all have weak moments. We are all equally guilty of being crappy companions to our friends at some point. Whether we tell a white lie to get out of something we don’t feel like doing, or we get snippy at them because we’re cranky. Never judge and don’t hold a grudge. Smile at everyone you see, and ask them how there day is going. It's amazing what you'll get back in return when you throw a couple of smiles each day and show some respect and courtesy.
11. Remind yourself there’s a fine line between adventurous and dangerous.
Take every chance at adventure that you get. Look adventure in the eye and say, “I can do this, I’m really freaking scared, but I can do this, and will be so excited after I do.” When danger comes your way, your conversation should go a little more like this, “Danger, I don’t like you. Although you may be disguised as a fun time, I cannot be friends with you. Call me a weenie, say what you want, but I cannot put my body or brain into harm’s hands. I’m going to go now, see ya.”
12. Cuddle many dogs. Love animals, do not fear them.
Even the weirdest looking animals are fascinating and not going to hurt you if you don’t hurt them. Do not fear animals, because if anything, they are more fearful of you and have the same goals as yourself. Don’t we all just want to be loved?
13. Don’t let anybody scare or guilt you into not doing something.
If it’s something extremely dangerous, listen. If it’s something that you know you can handle and it’s something that you’ve always wanted to do, go for it. If you weren’t fearful of it before, don’t let somebody change your perspective simply because they don’t want you to do it. You can do anything.
14. Appreciate your significant other, but don’t feel like you need a relationship to be happy.
It seems as if when we are single, all we want is to be in a relationship, and when we are in one (with the wrong person), all we want is to be single. Relationships are of value, and teach you an abundance about life, love, loyalty, and respect. However, you don’t need a partner to learn these things. It’s when you are single that you learn the most about yourself and others. This is the time that you learn to love yourself and tune yourself up for you, not for anybody else. Enjoy being single, instead of dreading it. Enjoy your warm bed all to yourself and treat yourself to shopping sprees and treats. You don’t need someone else to make yourself happy.
15. Put down your phone and enjoy nature.
Nature is breathtaking. I see too many people glued to their phones all the time, not even looking up at anyone or the beautiful sunset, ever. Something about the growth of plants and the way the horizon kisses the ocean-line, is just so enchanting to me. Our brains are not strong enough to comprehend how something so beautiful could ever exist. We don’t even need to comprehend it, are only job is to preserve and enjoy it.
16. Take more walks.
Walking fixes a whole lot of broken ugly underneath your skin. It’s relaxing, a form of exercise, and a great use of time to clear your mind of all stress and anxieties. Try and walk once a day, and enjoy the weather before winter arrives, and you are unable to comfortably do so anymore. Also, speaking of walking, I cannot stress enough the importance of parking far away when you go to a store or restaurant. Always think of the elderly and those with disabilities who struggle to get to the door of the establishment, even if they use the closest space they can find. You have legs, I encourage you to use them, next time before you park immediately next to the door. Always consider the abilities of others!
17. Be open to all religions.
Hold on to your own, but respect the views of others. Religion is supposed to be about coming together as one big and happy congregation, not about arguing. Religion is supposed to be a healing power, not a dismantling one. Respect your own views as well as those of others.
18. Don’t eat what you don’t like.
Don’t buy a coffee if you don’t like the taste, just because your friends do. (Soon enough you will become extremely addicted and drink more than three cups a day, like me. Don’t do it!) Eat what makes your soul and body happy. Don’t eat certain things or act a certain way just because your friends do. This brings me back to, you are your own person! Embrace yourself and what you like/don’t like. Never sacrifice yourself for your friends.
19. Look out for the safety of yourself and others, always.
It’s not bad to be “the mom” of the group. Be the designated driver, the one who puts limits on things, or sets a curfew. Live the healthy life you know and love, and be there for others in case they need you. If you were to get plastered drunk at a party, who would be there to hold back everybody’s hair and to remind everyone of what happened the next morning, so they can all laugh about it? Stay true to you and do your liver a favor.
20. Love yourself and your body.
Find things you appreciate about yourself as opposed to the things you don’t like as much. There’s more beauty to you than you think. Sure, you may not like your teeth, your toe deformity, or your thunder thighs. Instead of focusing on what you see as your “flaws,” focus more so on your awesome hair, your radiant eyes, and your ability to light up a room. You don’t have flaws. You have features and characteristics. Each one is beautiful, whether you believe it or not. Love all of you, every day, and never rush because life moves to it’s own beat. Take this time to be you and only you.
