With only one day left in my teenage years, I've started to reflect on some of the things I've learned in my almost 20 years. And here's what I came up with...
1. Do what makes YOU happy
Especially in college, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all of your responsibilities and obligations. Taking the time to go on your favorite hike or catch up on your current Netflix episodes is important and won't be wasted time.
2. You really can’t let the little things get to you
There are so many parts of life that we don’t have control over. Worry about the things you can control and forget about the rest of it, it's not worth your time or effort.
3. People change, but that isn’t always a bad thing
One of the most constant things in life is change, and that most definitely includes people. Change doesn’t necessarily have to be bad and can lead you to a whole new chapter in your life, which may mean new friends.
4. Phone calls with mom are better than any therapy money could buy
No matter what the issue, moms are always there to listen to the daily rants, tell you you’re overreacting and comfort you when it seems like nothing’s going right. I can’t imagine what I’d do without these phone calls.
5. Time does heal, if you’re patient enough to wait
Coming from a very impatient person, I can say that this is most definitely true. Everyone is different and heals at their own pace, but one day without even noticing you’ll forget about the pain and move on.
6. People don’t owe you anything
As blunt as this sounds, it’s true. Especially at this point in life, there are so many opportunities out there and most people focus on themselves and their own path. Personally, this pushes me to strive for my own goals and be successful because no one is going to do it for me.
7. Coffee is a lifesaver
I can honestly say that I didn’t like coffee until after my freshman year of college, but now I can’t live without it. It’s the pick me up I need on lazy mornings or the comfort I find in cozy afternoons.
8. Sometimes there isn’t always a right or wrong answer to every question
This has been one of the harder realizations, just because sometimes all you're looking for is the right answers. It becomes more about your personal thoughts on what’s best for you and not what anyone else thinks would be right.
9. Hard work always pays off
Whether that’s studying a couple of hours longer for an exam or working a little bit harder at a workout, you feel better and happier you put all your efforts into everything you do
10. Early mornings lead to very productive days
After you get over the first five minutes, starting the day off with a workout or something productive can be be the fresh start any morning or momentum for a good week.
11. But sleeping in is good for the soul
Nothing is better than waking up without an alarm and having the time to actually lay in your warm bed. But as I’m getting older, I’m realizing these mornings are becoming less frequent.
12. Celebrate the little victories
Celebrate the things that make you feel proud no matter how big or small. This is such an easy way to find the positives of a long day or hard week.
13. Exercising can be the stress reliever you never considered
For me this is one of the only parts in my life that I have control over and so I utilize it as the hour or so a day that I have for myself.
14. Taking advantage of home cooked meals is always a good idea
Whether its dealing with dorm food or cooking on your own, a warm home cooked meal prepared by someone else always seems to taste that much better.
15.You’re parents are almost always right
As I’m getting old, the truer this becomes. Parents always seem to know what will work best, who will really be there for you and that everything will end up okay.
16. Treat yourself
Because if you don’t, who will?
17. Time spent with good friends is time never wasted
It’s the nights spent in with friends or the long talks in parked cars that make me realize how lucky I am to be surrounded with such amazing people.
18. It’s never too late to make a change for yourself
There is no need to stay unhappy with your environment, your major or the people around you when you have a whole world of opportunities right in front of you. Find what will make you happy and figure out how to implement into your life.
19. Nobody’s got it figured out
Even if it looks like they do, they don’t. Everyone is carrying their own hardships and trying to figure out their own path.
20. Life is crazy, but I really wouldn’t have it any other way
All of the struggles, relationships, and experiences that I’ve been lucky enough to have in my past twenty years have made me into the person I am today. I can only imagine what these next twenty years will have in store for me.
