We all make mistakes, that's a no-brainer. We always will make mistakes, which is the part of "adulting" and growing up that a lot of us in our generation, including myself, could not quite grasp until, well, we made quite a few mistakes. Life is not about avoiding the inevitable. However, I know that if we could all go back and give our former selves a bit of advice, we would not hesitate much at the opportunity. What story, life quote or actions would you emphasize to the “old you” that could have saved you a headache, a hairstyle or 20 extra dollars in your pocket? On the bright side, if it was not for our former selves being the way we were, we would not have become the person we are now and the person we will become. If I were to ever write anything similar to that context with a line like “Dear 18-year-old me…,” I would say a lot of things. I mean it could be a pretty lengthy list of some do's and don’ts that could have been helpful for my first two semesters in college, the people around me, and life itself. However, if I had to give my former-self any pieces of advice it would be this:
Life is not easy, but it is meant to be worthwhile.
Even though you tried this "saving money" concept and it hasn’t worked for the most part, doesn’t mean you stop trying.
Don’t exaggerate and stress the little situations life throws at you and in your way. Instead, just get over them and move on because the time you spend stressing over nothing will blind you from what is right in front of you.
Seize the opportunities because they won’t last forever.
Don't take crap from anybody, no matter who they are.
This is not a time where you or I should dwell on the past as if we can change it because that is never going to happen. Being able to reflect on your past and who you were and laugh, of course without squirming just a little bit, should be thought of as a good thing. It's a time to look ahead and we should take this as a step forward in the right direction, towards living our lives and towards our destinies.
Our past has shaped us to hopefully become a more independent and well-rounded human being. It is always easier said than done, but strive to become an understanding person even if sometimes you may not understand why you need to be. Understand the reality that no one is like you and not everybody comes from the same kind of family or environment as you, and becone that humble person you're meant to be. The world is so much bigger than it seems. Make more friends, no matter if a personality test says you’re an extrovert or introvert, and remember how important it is good to just meet new people. Everybody has a story: a story to be told and heard, whether published or not, so why not listen to them? You just might learn a little something.
There is not some master plan and theory in which you will solve life eventually like a Rubik’s cube. Nope. We all must start somewhere, from a beginning. Because the old me thought that if I had all the problems solved before they even touched me, that life was going to be easier. I have learned that life doesn’t get easier, it gets harder, but we get stronger and that is the beauty of it.
