Growing up, at 18 I imagined myself driving the newest car, having the longest blonde hair, living on my own, and being an independent woman. Being that 18 year old independent woman, I can say I do not drive the newest car, I do not have the longest blonde hair, and I am far from living on my own. Instead I can tell you 18 things I have learned that makes up for these materialist items.

1. Mother Knows Best

In my past 18 years I have gone against my mothers advice, I have back-talked and given attitude. In my 18 years I have learned that in the end my mother will always be right. Talking back is not the smartest option, if one ever gets into it with their birth giver, the best route to take in order to keep the atmosphere at living condition is to bite your tongue, rather than giving an outrageous attitude. Your mother will always be able to detect a real friend from a fake, and a boy from a gentleman.

2. Brand Names Are NOT Everything

I understand it's nice to own the latest outfit from V.S. Pink, but in all honesty once you become responsible for paying for your own clothes, hand-me-down stores will be your best friend. At 18, nobody cares what you wear as long as your shoulders aren't showing or your pants aren't around the middle of your thighs. Six days out of the week you'll end up wearing joggers and an over-sized t-shirt anyways.

3. Cherish The Good Ol' Days

Being 18, I think back to how life was before I became legal. I would give anything to playing Polly Pockets with my older sister. Holding on to the little things that made you who you are, are important to keep close.

4. Work Hard, Play Harder

In order to do fun things like trips to the beach or the nearest amusement park, you have to have the money to do so. Even doing simple things like ordering pizza and watching a Redbox movie costs money. To do things such as this, you have to work your ass off. The good things in life do not come easily.

5. Never Walk Away Without Saying I Love You

I personally have lost many people who were very close to me and with some I never got to tell them I love them one last time. I have lost family members and I have lost a boy who was able to break down my walls without letting them know I loved them. Death is a bitch and it doesn't get easier every time. Life happens in mysterious ways and you never know when a life will end.

6. Keep Your Family Close And Your Enemies Further

When your mother is telling you she thinks your friend is no good, listen to her. You are who you hang around with. You don't want to be known as the girl who was friends with the girl who faked three pregnancies. You don't want to be known as the girl who was friends with that dude who shot up another peer's house. Keeping a positive circle with help you radiate positive vibes.

7. Everyone Has A Hard Time

Struggles come in different shapes and forms, some hit others a little harder. Many people are able to hide the fact that they are going through a struggle, some are not able to hide it. You don't know what someone is going through so being rude doesn't help anyone. The best thing to do is be there if they ever need someone to talk to.

8. People Come And Go

It sucks to say but people change, move, and part ways. You could have a 'best friend' for years where after your knee surgery you two laugh about nothing for six minutes straight and less than three years later you haven't seen each other for months because you were replaced with someone who is a much better friend than you. Or your 'soul sister' who picked up one day and moved 1,257 miles from you to be with her boyfriend. You still love them and cherish the memories you had with them but you have to let go and move forward with life just as they did.

9. Ask Questions

Life doesn't come with a handbook sadly, but asking family members or friends who have been around longer than your mere 18 years is much easier then plowing through life unaware with unanswered questions. Whether it's from how to get the best out of your mascara or how to change a flat tire. Don't be afraid to ask.

10.The Word Love is Abused

Many can say they love but really what is love? Is it knowing what side of the bed your significant other prefers to sleep on? Or slowing down around the same curves as them because you know if you go just a tad over the speed limit they will freak out. Love is something that is thrown around. It is not just a word, its a feeling, its a connection. I don't get how people can just wake up one day and realize, "Oh, I don't love you." I remember when love was something that brought two souls closer not just a word that got the girl to take her clothes off for some boy who doesn't even know her birthday.

11. It Is Okay To Cry

Life gets hard and sometimes you just need a good cry. A cry to let it all out. Crying doesn't make someone weak. Crying is not something to be ashamed of. Crying is normal and completely okay to do.

12. Don't Hold Grudges

You spend too much time holding something against another person that they probably don't care about. Even if they don't say sorry, forgive them and let things go. The more grudges you have the harder it will be to let things go. Moving forward and getting past that point makes life much more enjoyable.

13. Rid Yourself of Toxic People

Toxic people should have no part of your life. They camouflage themselves as people who are "always" going to be there for you. You find yourself getting into a lot of trouble, covering for them and doing things you never thought you would do with them. Toxic people thrive off positive energy and they take it and break it down. They're lifestyle is dangerous and unhealthy, cutting people off who bring toxicity and negativity to your life is the best thing to do.

14. Always Try Clothes on BEFORE Ripping Off The Tag

You will save so much time and effort in keeping the tags on. If you rip it off and don't know the policy for returns, you could potentially screw yourself over.

15. Don't Try to Take The Shortcut

It seems simple and quicker but taking the shortcuts could end up doing more damage than actually helping. Shortcuts are like going around another driver only to get stuck at the same light as them. Half the time shortcuts are pointless.

16. Karma Always Comes Back Around

Whether its donating loose change to a foundation or cutting someone off while driving. Karma will either come back to praise you or bite you in the ass. Do good things and good things will happen to you. Do shitty things and shitty things will happen to you.

17. Drink Water As Much As You Can

Your body is your temple, you have to take care of it. Eating healthy and drinking more water is better than eating Ramen and drinking vodka or sweet tea. Drinking a glass of water right when you roll out of bed is best because it awakens all your nerves and helps keep you awake.

18. Lastly, Forgive Yourself.

Don't live with hatred towards your past choices, understand you made them and they are lessons for your book. They will help guide you in life to wherever you may need to go. Forgiving yourself for past mistakes will make moving forward in life so much more gentle.

I have learned more in my 18 years but these are just a few things I held on to.