Growing up is hard. There's loss, betrayal, heartbreak, and tons of time in which we are finding and defining ourselves. We experience so much growth and so many lessons in our childhood, tween, and teen years. Looking back on my 19 years of life so far, I decided to share the most important lessons I have learned.

1. Be honest.

I have learned that the best thing you can be is honest with people. When someone makes you happy, tell them why. When something is bothering you or when you feel hurt, explain yourself. Nothing can be changed if you bottle your feelings up inside and you will just continue to carry around pent up emotions.

2. Some people are not meant to be in your life forever.

In my life I have met people that I truly thought I would be friends with forever. However, time eventually showed me that they are not meant to be in my life forever and I learned to accept that. It's okay to be hurt and feel upset; however, realize that these people were meant to have an effect on your life temporarily and that someone new, and better, will eventually fill that void. As they say, when one door closes another opens.

3. It's OK to fail.

I have always had high standards for myself and strive for perfection. As a result, I have often been really disappointed and distraught when things turn out less than I expected them to. It's hard to accept the fact that you did not accomplish what you had wished to, but you need to realize that as long as you try your hardest, you can never truly fail.

4. The only person you need to impress is yourself.

Many of our teenage years are spent trying to fit in, feel accepted, and be popular. We try so hard to impress the people around us so they will think we are cool and want to be our friends. However, I learned that in the process of trying to impress people you lose those that truly like you for you but, more importantly, you lose yourself.

5. Appreciate your family.

Everyone goes through the stage of teenage rebellion and parental defiance. We often do everything in our power to go against what our parents tell us and avoid spending time with our family. However, once I began to experience hardships and heartbreaks, I realized that family members are the only ones that are there for us through it all. Our families sacrifice a lot for us and they wont be around forever. Tell them you love them while you still can.

6. Love yourself.

Growing up in such a scrutinizing, judgmental, and critical world is no doubt a challenge. With everything around us trying to tear us down, its hard to stay standing. We want to feel loved, accepted, wanted, and often times in the process we forget to love ourselves. You're your biggest supporter, your best friend and your first love. Don't forget to love yourself, every perfection, every flaw, every wound. You're amazing and deserve it.

7. Be open to new experiences.

A lot of growing up involves change. We change schools several times, change friends a lot, try out new clubs and sports, and eventually move into a college dorm in a new town with new people. Through these experiences I learned that while change can be scary it can also be the best thing to ever happen to you. You can discover so many new interests, so many new friends and so much new knowledge if you're open to trying new things.

8. You're going to get your heart broken.

You're going to meet a boy and you're gonna fall for his blue eyes and perfect smile. You're going to think he's your whole world and think nothing can be better than how you feel when you're with him. But he's going to break your heart. Whether he cheats on you, lies to you or just stops being your sunshine he's going to leave and it's going to hurt. It's OK to cry your eyes out and feel out of breath for a little while. But I promise you, you'll be OK and you will meet a boy who lights up your world in both the light and the dark.

9. You can't be good at everything.

Throughout childhood you're going to try a bunch of sports, clubs, instruments, hobbies, and school subjects. It's easy to wish that you could be amazing at all of them, but it's much harder to actually accomplish. Pick a few things you love and have a knack for and stick to those. It will feel so much better when you can perfect a few things than be mediocre at them all because you took on too much.

10. People are going to take advantage of you.

People are going to see your kindness and your big heart as an opportunity to use you for their own benefit. They are going to take things away from you and leave you feeling empty and confused. Take this as a learning opportunity to be careful who you trust, but do not stop living with a big heart because of a few small minded people. Your kindness will take you places.

11. Learn to say no.

It's the same kindness and big heartedness that's going to cause you to take on too much. You're going to want to be involved in everything and help everyone with their problems, but it's all going to be too much. You are going to stretch yourself past your limits and it will drain you to the point of exhaustion. You're no use to anyone, especially yourself, if you're too strung out. It's okay to say no and mean it sometimes, people will not think less of you.

12. Sometimes you just need a good cry.

Life is hard and things become too much to handle sometimes. When this happens sometimes all you need is a good cry and that's OK. You're not invincible, you're allowed to break sometimes. Just remember that whatever you're feeling is temporary. After you cry, wipe your face, stand tall, and be ready to face tomorrow and whatever it may throw at you.

13. You're stronger than you realize.

Life will try to break you and tear you down sometimes. You'll feel like giving up and ending it all, but I promise you that you have more strength than you realize. You have overcome everything that has gotten in your way and tried to stop you up until this very day, and you can keep going. When you think you're at you're limits, keep pushing. You are strong and you can do this.

14. School is important, but you're health should come first.

School is challenging and stressful undoubtedly. Papers, studying, and tests can put an enormous strain on us and cause us to sacrifice sleep and our physical and mental health. While preparing for your future and doing well is very important, you're health is always number one. Stress can lead to a lot of physical and mental problems that could inadvertently alter your life forever. Sometimes, failing a test or taking a day off is necessary. Take care of yourself, there's only one you.

15. Be kind to others.

You never know what is going on in another person's life. There could be numerous negative, scary, and stressful events that are running through someone's head at any given moment. Be kind to them. Give them a compliment, or a simple smile. You never know how a simple act of kindness could turn a person's day around and last a lasting impact on them.

16. Stand up for yourself.

People are going to take advantage of you, be rude, and be offensive. Sometimes it's better to bite your tongue; but, don't forget your worth. Don't let people walk all over you and belittle who you are. Stand up for yourself and make sure people know that you are not someone to be messed with. You are beautiful and you are enough, make sure you remember that.

17. Learn to laugh at yourself.

Growing up, and even the years after that, is filled with many embarrassing and dumb moments. You're going to say and do things that make your face turn red and make you wish you were invisible. Realize that everyone trips up sometimes and that it's perfectly normal to embarrass yourself. Learn to laugh at yourself and dealing with humiliating situations will become a lot more funny a lot less stressful.

18. You can never learn too much.

Most of our teenage years are spent thinking we know everything and are smarter than our parents. However, soon enough you'll realize that there is so much left for you to learn. There is an infinite amount of knowledge out there waiting to be discovered for those with the minds open enough to do so. With knowledge comes power to change the world. Keep learning.

19. Don't judge people.

It's easy to pass judgment about someone based on their appearance or their reputation. However, some of the best friends you'll ever meet are hidden within the people you would never picture yourself getting along with. People are more than what they appear to be and what others say about them. You'll be surprised to find the greatest treasures in the places you would never look twice.

Thank you to the past 19 years for guiding me and providing me with the best lessons of all. I look forward to the next 19 years and all the growth that they will continue to bring to me.