When you're working hard and trying to establish an outline for your life, you shouldn't have to engage with negativity.

If you're working hard and you're passionate, your family and friends should be supporting you.

Not everyone has to agree with you, and you don't have to agree with them, but when it turns into hostility, you don't need to acknowledge that. You shouldn't be resented for being educated or using your knowledge to try and be influential about whatever it is that you have a passion for.

If people are threated by your thoughtfulness and education, so be it. You shouldn't feel guilty about carrying out your life and sharing your thoughts and abilities.

If you're doing your best to support yourself, pursue whatever you want, no matter what anyone else's opinion may be.

Sometimes, those who you thought were closest to you may only be acting out of familiarity. They feel obligated to try and hold on to a relationship just because of a family tie or mutual friendships/relationships, but you don't need to put effort into those types of relationships that are weighing you down.

If you're trying to balance speaking up for what you believe in and anticipating what the opposition may think, always choose speaking up.

Like I said, there's always going to be people who don't agree with you, but when it turns into a lack of respect, or into hopes that you fail just because of disagreement, let go.

There's always going to be people who are bitter or overanalyze other people's decisions to compensate for their own mistakes in life, and it's natural to want everyone's support, but you can do without it.

Believe in yourself.

Believe in your own power and that you're your own best cheerleader and supporter.

Don't rely on validation from people who don't have a clue about what you're pursuing.

Take advice. Take constructive criticism, of course, but be able to recognize who it's coming from, and differentiate it from what I've just described.

"Pay close attention to the people who don't clap when you win." -unknown