Growing up with a big heart was both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I tended to feel disappointment and sadness on a higher level than anybody else, but on the other hand, I tended to feel happiness more intensely, too. I'm now eighteen years old and still haven't mastered finding a good balance for my emotions, but I have learned something. I have learned that there are so many good things that come from having a big heart...and that I see the world in a different way. It makes me unique, though at times, a mess. Since I am certainly not the only girl with a heart (almost) too big, I write to all of my fellow big-hearted people. Here are five things you should know:

1. You understand people in a way that not many others can.

This can be both a good thing and a bad thing. You tend to empathize with people. You always cheer for the underdog and you try and see the good in everybody (even when it hurts you). This is a good quality because everybody needs someone who sees the good in them. You understand that people aren't necessarily just black and white. You understand that in everybody, there is a whole lot of gray. The problem with being able to rationalize or justify someone's behavior is that sometimes you let them get away with too much -- you become someone who lets others walk all over you. The important thing is to find some balance. Yes, continue to see the good in everybody, but also learn that there comes a point where excusing their behavior over and over again isn't helping anybody. Balance is key.

2. You tend to fall for people pretty hard and fairly quickly.

This can get you into trouble. Though falling for someone is a pretty amazing feeling, falling for the right person is far, far better. Because you tend to see the best in everybody, sometimes you hand out your trust too quickly. It's important to remember that not everybody out there has your best interest in mind. Not everybody out there cares as much as you do. Give them time to prove themselves before you hand them your entire heart. Give them time to show you who they are months down the road -- not weeks. Notice how they treat their moms and their cashiers and servers. Notice how they treat strangers and how they treat their closest friends. These things are really important. Above all, notice the red flags. Having a big heart, myself, I know how hard it is to take note of the red flags. I'd rather pretend like I didn't see them, but it always ends up hurting me in the end. So, keep your eyes open and look before you fall too hard for someone who isn't falling too. The great thing about having a big heart, though, is when you wait for the right person. They won't take advantage of your loving nature and they won't take you for granted. Relationships like that are worth the wait.

3. You'll probably need to bring tissues with you to every movie you see.

You will probably be made fun of a lot for this. I know I've always been. You cry a lot more during movies and why? It's because you feel so deeply for those characters. They might as well be you. Yes, it seems silly and will sometimes embarrass you, but cry it out anyways. Grab a box of tissue and let your heart feel what your favorite actor or actress is feeling. If anything, it'll make the experience more real for you.

4. You can't please everyone.

One of the major challenges you face when you're a girl with a big heart is your inability to please everybody. You feel as if everything is crashing down if people aren't happy with you. You will put your feelings and dreams on the backburner in order to make other people happy. One of the most important things to learn is that it is impossible to please everyone. And no one should be expecting you to please them all anyway. Take care of yourself first. Make sure you are putting in enough self-care, because if you continue to give and give and never take you will end up drained. So slow down and take a deep breath. You can't please everyone.

5. Without feeling sadness as deeply as you do, you would never feel happiness as deep, either.

Some days you might wish to yourself that you didn't have such a big heart -- that you didn't feel things as deeply as you do. Maybe you just had your heart broken or maybe you had just received some disappointing news. Each time you hit one of these moments, think of one of your favorite memories. Think of singing in the car with your friends -- windows down, wind blowing past you as the night time air fills the car. Think to when you burst out laughing at something funny you thought in the middle of a silent lecture hall. Think to those moments when you were most happy and know that without being able to feel as deeply as you do, those moments and memories would be less great.

So, embrace who you are, because your big heart gives you compassion, deep connections, and memories that will last a lifetime.