As of a month ago, I legally became an adult. I had to go to my doctor's appointments alone, I could sign any fancy official papers that require my signature, and I could even buy a lottery ticket if I wanted. In these past eighteen years, I have been through so many different things; I have had my fair share of laughs and shed my fair share of tears. All of these experiences have taught me important lessons that I carry with me each day, and so I decided to share eighteen of them.
1. You can't please everyone.
Don't worry about pleasing everyone, because no matter how hard you try it happens to be a goal you can never accomplish. This definitely creates unnecessary stress that can distract you from things that are worth your time.
2. It's okay to be yourself!
You will find your people and your place. Don't change who you are or the way you think to conform to others. There will be people you meet who get along with you and see eye to eye with you on most things. These people are called friends, and only a few are really needed.
3. Not everyone will like you.
Even if you are the nicest human to ever have walked the earth or even exist in the universe, there are going to be people who don't like you. Don't mind them. There will be plenty of people who will like you; they'll outnumber the silly ones who don't.
4. Marvel comics are better than DC comics.
No explanation or justification needed.
5. Do what you really want to do while you're in college.
Don't worry about making money and picking a major to have money as a goal. You don't have to be a doctor or a lawyer to be successful. Your personal happiness is the number one concern, and if you are doing what you love during your life, the money will eventually come.
6. You won't always agree with your parent's opinions...
... and that is TOTALLY okay. You are not your parents, although you have been strongly influenced by them during the most important developmental time periods in your life. You might (or might not) agree with them on most things, but if you feel like your opinion differs on a topic, that is fine. Again, you don't have to change who you are to gain approval from others- including your parents.
7. Honestly, no one cares what brand your clothes are.
You really don't need that $250 pair of shoes or that $110 sweater- even if you really want one of those things, you can probably find almost exactly the same thing at a Marshall's or a thrift store for a significantly lower price. You can construct a pretty cute outfit without hurting your wallet too much- and I promise people will judge you if your clothes were bought for cheap (they might even admire the fact your outfit cost less than $50).
8. It's VERY okay to end toxic relationships.
Don't hurt yourself by hanging on to people who cause you stress, anxiety, or any other feeling that causes emotional (or sometimes physical) damage. You will kick yourself later for letting things go on so long. So whether it's a simple friendship or intimate relationship, people change and sometimes it's better to let them go.
9. Being sick without your mom around SUCKS.
Once I got to college and was plagued with the common cold, I found this out. Without my mom checking on me and making my food for me and bringing me tissues, how would I ever survive? Good news is I survived. Bad news is it took forever without my mom around.
10. Don't get mad when someone tells you "No."
Just accept that you aren't always going to get what you want. This doesn't mean your life is over and done with and that the world will stop spinning. You'll be okay; better luck next time. In the mean time- take a deep breath and count backward from ten. The world is still revolving and time keeps ticking.
11. You aren't a finished product.
My friend constantly reminds me of this when I get down on myself. None of us are finished products; we are all works-in-progress and we have a long way to go. Don't get so down on yourself when you feel like you're stuck in a rut.
12. Take time to enjoy every moment of life- even the crappy ones!
Everything that you experience in life will teach you a lesson and make you grow into who you are as a person. Don't cut those moments that teach a lesson out by wishing them away. Take a moment to savor each moment of life- you don't get a do-over!
13. Your friends really do care about you, so listen to them.
Your close friends care about you and really want what is best for you- give them the time of day and listen to them when they try to give you advice. You'll thank them later for either talking you out of something stupid or talking you into something that paid off.
14. You can always find three positive things about a situation.
Even if you find yourself absolutely miserable, you can always look deep enough and find three positive things about a situation. It makes things a bit more enjoyable and helps distract you from the negative things life might throw your way!
15. Things might not always work out the way you want them to, and you really just have to roll with it.
You might think everything happens for a reason... or maybe you don't. Regardless if you're a believer in fate, things might not always go as planned and you can't let it stop you in your tracks. You have to roll with the punches and keep moving forward.
16. Take the time to appreciate the arts.
Read a book. Broaden your music taste. Go to an art museum. Just notice the art you see every day. It really makes your life richer if you develop respect for the arts.
17. Live every moment like it could be your last.
You only really have one chance at life, and you don't know what tomorrow will bring. So let that motivate you to live every moment like it could be your last. Try to live without any regrets, and make the most of everything!
18. DC comics are worse than Marvel comics.
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