Girls growing up in Gen Z are constantly looking for strong, independent, badass women to admire: Michelle Obama, Emma Watson, Malala, and Ellen to name a few. While all of these women are amazing and inspiring, there's something to be gained when you have a female role model in your personal life. Whether that's a mom, aunt, godmother, teacher, or friend, having that kind of personal connection to someone makes their impact on you even greater.
My mom is the strongest woman (and person) I have ever met, and I could not be more grateful for her and the lessons she has taught me. She is proud of her beliefs and morals, and follows them to a tee, and is supportive and present for everyone in her life. I just got back to college, and I miss her already. These are the lessons she's taught me that I try to live by, even when I'm not living under her roof.
1. Be confident and happy in your own decisions...
As she likes to say, "You have to live with yourself," so making choices that you are proud of and can stand behind is so important.
2. ...But it's okay to make mistakes.
Mistakes are inevitable as humans, and learning from them is what allows us to grow and become better people.
3. Don't live according to anyone else's timetable.
4. Do things that make you happy.
Especially career-wise. You'll be following that path for a long time, make sure it's one you want to be on.
5. Live below your means.
Save as much as you can, you never know what is going to happen tomorrow.
6. Don't take anything for granted.
Don't wait until something's gone to understand how much it meant to you.
7. Appreciate the little things in life.
8. Be respectful of others.
Everyone comes from different backgrounds and lives, you never know what someone's story is.
9. You're not all that and a bag of chips.
Don't think too highly of yourself, there's always something you can do to improve.
10. Other people's opinions are overrated.
You can never please everyone. You'll only make yourself unhappy.
11. Know how you should be treated, and uphold those standards.
Don't let yourself be a doormat or let people take advantage of you.
12. Be able to stand on your own two feet.
Don't rely on other people to take care of you.
