They say the older you get, the wiser you become. I suppose that's true; I definitely know a lot more now than I did when I was younger. About myself, about the people around me, about life in general. Still, there are times that I wish my younger self had been able to learn some of what I know now. Something tells me I needed that knowledge back then just as much as I do now, if not more. I may not be able to go back in time and tell all of this to a younger version of myself, but I hope that these life lessons benefit anyone out there who needs to hear them as much as I did - and sometimes still do.
1. The world doesn't revolve around you.
This one might seem like a harsh reality check, but in reality, it's a realization that's provided me a lot of comfort ever since it first occurred to me. For a long time, I would always beat myself up over every little misstep because I was sure that others around me were judging me. Reminding myself that the world doesn't revolve around me is my own way of grounding myself when I get caught up in things like pronouncing a word wrong in a presentation or mishearing someone in a conversation. Everyone has their own baggage to deal with, and they're probably too caught up in theirs to even notice yours most of the time. It's a reassuring thought, disconcerting as it may appear at first glance.
2. Growing up doesn't mean giving up what makes you happy.
People tend to have this idea in their heads that in order to grow up, you have to abandon things that society deems "childish." This concept made me terrified of growing up because I didn't want to let go of my interests. I've always been a passionate person when it comes to the things I enjoy, so the idea of losing all of that made me not want to grow up. In reality, growing up isn't about leaving things behind. It's about maturing into a new version of yourself while still embracing the things that make you who you are at your core. I may be an adult, but that doesn't mean I can't watch cartoons and collect figures of my favorite video game characters. Growing up and letting go don't come hand-in-hand, regardless of what society wants you to think.
3. Making mistakes isn't so bad in the long run.
We all make mistakes from time to time. It's normal. It's a part of life. Even so, we perceive mistakes as things we should dread. I know I used to do all that I could to ensure that I'd never make a single mistake in everything I did. I'd fall asleep studying because I dreaded getting any grade below an A+. Honestly, I think it's better to view mistakes as another step in the path to success. One little failure isn't the end of the world. If you don't get the grade you wanted on an essay, for example, don't stress too much about it. As long as you tried your best, you should feel proud of yourself. Teachers leave comments on those essays for a reason, after all; to show you how to avoid the same mistakes next time so that you can try again and, in due time, succeed.
4. You don't have to know what you want to do with your life just yet.
For a long time, I never had a concrete idea of what I wanted to be when I grew up. People would ask me the dreaded question time and time again, and my answer would often be completely different from whichever one I gave before. Even now, I'm not entirely set on what exactly it is that I want to do, and you know what? That's perfectly fine. You don't need to have your entire life planned out from the get-go. It's okay to figure it out as you learn more about yourself and what you want. I'm in college now and I still don't have everything set in stone. Just keep moving forward at your own pace, and eventually, you'll find the pieces you need to complete the puzzle.
5. Nothing lasts forever.
This lesson is without a doubt the most important to me, and one I could have benefited from learning a long time ago. Like the first one, it may not seem very kind, but in some ways, it's the kindest lesson of all. High school didn't exactly go great for me. In fact, I'd be quicker to say that I hated every second of it. With time, though, each year of high school reached its end, coming and going the same way the seasons change with the passage of time. Everything ends. Relationships, assignments, vacations. Nothing is truly permanent, and I find comfort in that. While it does mean that the good things will ultimately end, it also means that the bad things will, too. High school ended. College will end. It may be scary to think about, but one thing ending just means that another one is soon to begin, and I find hope in looking ahead to my next beginning.