As a child, everyone has their own idea of what they want in life when they're older. As you grow up, things start to change. Society gets in the way. Society changes your view on life. There are many things that people tend to settle on as they evolve and grow older.
Be with a man who cherishes you.
Be with a man who makes you a better person. Don't settle for a man that wants to change you, though... there's a difference. You shouldn't have to change for anyone but yourself. Don't settle for a relationship just because you have kids with someone... kids adapt. You are a person with a heart, dreams and goals, and you ARE allowed to be happy in your life, which means not settling until you get that happiness.
Shitty coffee is a no-no, always.
You're paying for that coffee, girl. You are using your hard-earned money to buy a cup or two (or a few), so why should you downgrade yourself and buy shitty coffee? Treat yourself with a good quality cup.
Walk the extra mile for the friends who are worth it.
Your friends are the people who are going to be there for you when that shitty boyfriend breaks your heart for the ninth time. Those friends are going to be on the phone with you at two in the morning, trying to keep quiet and not get in trouble with their parent for being too loud.
You need a good quality friend, a friend that is willing to help you in whatever way they can. This is a friend willing to cancel their plans to make sure you are okay because they know if the roles where switched, you would be the good friend of theirs too. Don't settle to be friends with someone just because they say that "you're cool", "super pretty" or are part of the "popular crowd". Always have a true friend for when life gets hard and knocks you down. That person will most likely be the one to pick you back up.
I saw a quote on Pinterest when I was doing my daily scrolling through the quote section (LOL at my life) that really hit home for me and made me think of how much I have already settled on in my 19 years of life. I hope that this quote will hit someone else the same way (or harder) that it hit me.
So, "Never settle for shitty coffee, shitty friends, or shitty men."
Always remember your worth. Remember that you have so much more room to grow and so many more things you can achieve if you stop settling in life. Yes, it is extremely hard to not settle when you are both physically and mentally drained, but in the end it is worth it and that is the only thing you can say to yourself to try and make it any easier.