Take everything day by day. You are beautifully imperfect, and no matter how hard that is to believe, it's true. We've made mistakes; we've cried over the wrong people; we've chosen to eat at terrible restaurants. Whatever the case may be; we've all f----- up, and that's the beauty of life. We make mistakes to learn for ourselves and for our future.
1. You are human, and you will make mistakes.
You're not perfect, and that's OK. You're going to make decisions where you're either OK or not OK with the outcomes. The point is that once the outcome happens, you won't be able to change it. If you don't embrace your imperfections, the people in your life will find no reason to appreciate them either.
2. Accept that things won't go as planned.
Nothing is set in stone and nothing in life is predetermined. Change is inevitable. Just because you're doing everything in your power to make sure it happens the way you want, expect the unexpected.
3. Yes, people change, but don't forget you will too.
I think we put too much blame on others because of how much we think they've changed. Truth is you are also changing. This doesn't make you a bad person. For better or for worse, we all change. You think I want to be the same person I was in 10th grade? Absolutely not. We all mature with time (some longer than others), but we mature and we start to become the person we really are (like I said for better or for worse).
4. Don't assume you'll get over it in a day or even months.
Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a painful breakup or getting a terrible grade on your exam, 24 hours in a day is not enough to get over it. It may seem like 86,400 seconds in a day is a lot, but it's not. Honestly, I'm still not over the fact that I lost $14 when I was 15. Our minds work in funny ways, and it has a tricky way of convincing you that you're over something when you're really not. Take however long you need to make sure your mental, physical and emotional well being is OK. But don't forget — things take time, but time runs out.
5. Say a prayer, have faith.
Whatever your religion is or whatever you believe in, never forget to believe in yourself. I pray for strength and guidance every day, and I also make sure to remind myself that whatever I'm going through, I can overcome it. We are not given obstacles we cannot handle.
6. You can't get through it by yourself.
Yes you're strong, but not strong enough to keep it to yourself. You need support, and you need guidance. Being strong doesn't mean overcoming an obstacle by yourself; you are strong if you can drop your pride for a second to ask for help. I don't think I've been able to get over things in my life without the help of my friends and family, and I wish I could do everything to show my gratitude for all they've done ad continue to do for me.
7. Take a day to do all of the things that make you happy.
As crazy as some of it might be, take a day to do everything that puts a smile on your face. We focus on our problems way more than we should, and we never dedicate a day for ourselves. Have a beer, eat a slice of pizza (or a whole pie), go for a run. Do something. Anything. Always remember you should always be number one to yourself.
8. Understand that not even all the crying, worrying and stressing in the world can change the situation.
I'm not saying don't cry or be sad, but my mistake was thinking that it would make everything better. Yes, it made some people feel sorry for me and whatever, but I never truly got what I wanted. I can't turn back time to fix anything or change my actions, but I can make sure to never let it happen again.
9. Be at peace knowing everything comes to an end.
Whether it's something great, a relationship you thought would last a lifetime or losing your loved one, everything in this life is temporary, and there is always an end to the tunnel. My generation and the ones after me have this crazy idea that "everything lasts forever." I've come to accept that that isn't always the case. I lost the boy whom I thought I was going to end up with for the rest of my life, and I also lost the strongest man to cancer. You see? Everything comes to an end. Even the bad. I know I will not be heartbroken forever, and I know I will come to accept that my grandfather is in a better place. But I know I won't always have to be upset about something, because the feeling will always be temporary.
Knowing all of this, here is my final advice.
Time runs out, and we only have limited seconds on this Earth. Try to see the beauty in life and be grateful for the amazing things and people you've been blessed with. Be at peace with your mistakes and, most importantly, yourself.
