19 Things I've Learned At 19
Start writing a post
Student Life

19 Things I've Learned At 19

These are 19 things I have learned along the way in my 19 years of living

321
19 Things I've Learned At 19
Reema Ganoom

In my 19 years of living, I have experienced a lot in my life.

Life truly is one long rollercoaster ride, and you have to make sure you enjoy the people who are on the ride with you. Without further ado, here are 19 things I have learned in my 19 years of being on this wonderful, crazy, gigantic planet earth.

1. People are the most important part of life.

Make sure you check yourself if you start valuing materialistic items over your relationships.

2. Make sure you do things with purpose.

Think consciously about what you're doing. Every choice you make in life defines who you are as a person.

3. Always forgive, but don't forget.

Forgiving others shows strength, not weakness. But don't forget those who have done you wrong.

4. Choose your battles.

Before you pick a fight or call someone out, think, "is this worth our friendship/relationship?"

5. Ask questions.

The answer will always be no unless you ask.

6. Smile and wave at other people.

This not only cuts the awkwardness but makes you come across as a nice person.

7. If you have an important thought in your head, write it down.

Even if you don't end up using it, you can go back through your notes and have a good laugh at your random thoughts you had that one day.

8. Don't take the relationship with your family for granted.

Just because they are your family doesn't give you the right to treat them like shit.

9. Give without the intention of receiving.

If you are trying to be a nice person giving something to someone else and expect something in return you are, in fact, not a nice person.

10. I never regret spending money on other people.

Pay for the person behind you at Starbucks. Splurge on something you think your friend might like. Donate that extra dollar when you go to the thrift store.

11. Truly listen when the people you love are speaking to you.

Don't just listen to respond, listen to understand. This can go a long way.

12. Don't limit your life to the box that society puts you in.

Just because everyone else is doing something doesn't mean you have to.

13. Choose fashion that is both stylish and comfortable.

Life is too short to feel uncomfortable in what you're wearing.

14. Be 100% honest through life, and deal with the consequences later.

Don't do anything that is not 100% true to who you are. Be your own force in your life.

15. Ask "how are you doing" instead of "what are you doing" every once in a while.

Just a simple text. Do it. Your friends and family might need someone to check on them.

16. Make healthier choices in all aspects of your life (mental, emotional, physical).

Eat some more vegetables. Take the stairs. Cut off the people who don't make you happy.

17. It's okay to do things alone sometimes.

You don't have to do everything. With your friends. All the time.

18. Find a creative outlet, even if it's just for yourself.

Color in an adult coloring book. Start a free blog and write your thoughts out like me. Draw. Paint. Take some pictures. Whatever you enjoy.

19. The expectations that people have of you do not define you.

No matter what they what you to do, what they think you are going to do, what they know you have done in the past, it's all noise. Cancel it out, and start achieving your goals.

Writing it down makes it easier for me to stick to and follow through. Using this as a guideline for my life, I know I can set out to be a better person than I was yesterday. I hope this inspires some others out there too :'-)

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

65701
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

42521
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

965643
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments