Two weeks ago, I turned twenty-one and it's still so unbelievable for me. I remember wanting to be sixteen, eighteen, but twenty-one? Never thought about it. Good thing is, I didn't cry on my birthday this year like I usually do. I've decided to take a deep breath and enjoy the ride. More like, do my best to enjoy it. Let's see if we can get the cake and eat it too..
There's a quite a bit of things I learned throughout my short life, so here goes twenty of those:
1. BE YOURSELF
No, I don’t mean this in the typical cliché version. "Being yourself" shouldn’t give you an excuse to act however you want. It just means be the best you you can be while being YOU. Don't try to change who you are in essence to "fit in" into any group. Surround yourself with those that enjoy being around you. But also keep in mind..
2. NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO LIKE YOU
…and that’s okay. You’ll tire yourself out trying to please everyone. Learn to choose those who choose you.
3. ALL IN DUE TIME
It’s important to set goals and milestones in your life, but there are things you’ll only ruin if you hurry them up.
We all have something we can’t wait to happen to us. Jumping at your first opportunities isn’t always the best choice though. Remember to pray, think it over, and only take it when it’s yours. You’ll know when you’re ready.
4. SLEEP
Okay, listen up, this is a very important one. Do yourself a favor and prioritize sleep, it is so important to both your physical and mental health. Eye bags aren’t cool, however designer they are. Put your phone away before bedtime and think about today, tomorrow, and the future. I am also preaching to myself right now. It’s called “working on it”.
5. YOUR PARENTS ARE RIGHT
Mom and dad are 99.9% always right. Honestly, the sooner you come to terms with this, the better off you’ll be. That does not mean they don’t make mistakes - they’re human too. But they know A LOT more than you do now, so team up.
6. APPRECIATE THINGS
Learn to enjoy things as they come. Whether you are going to a party or missing it, be happy where you are right now and make the most of it. A bump in the road? Try to pull through with as such positivity as you can muster. Maybe that bump had a reason for being there.
7. DON’T OVERTHINK
Please don’t do this. Overthinking doesn’t help, it only makes everything worse.
8. DON’T PROCRASTINATE
Please don’t do this either. Not healthy. Super not healthy. Done is so much better than perfect, trust me. And whatever they say about procrastinators being more successful, yada yada, NOT. WORTH. IT. Unless you like feeling guilty and pressured all the time. You do you, sis.
9. IT’S OKAY TO FAIL
Don’t be a afraid to fail. I’ve noticed that this is actually one of the reasons I procrastinate. I’m afraid to fail. So I think if I don’t do something then I can’t fail at it, right? Wrong. If you failed, that means you started doing something. But, please, don’t only learn from your mistakes. Be a step ahead and learn from others.
10. BE KIND
Being kind is one of the most attractive qualities people can have. Really. It doesn’t have to be something big. A smile, kind word, or a helping hand is all it takes sometimes. It’s also free, so, win-win.
11. WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND
This goes hand-in-hand with #10. It might take a few years, but it comes back full force. I’d hate to be on the wrong side, wouldn’t you?
12. BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
You don’t get to choose how you look like, but you do choose what you do with that. There is SO much truth in how much personality affects outward appearance, so it’s always smart to work on that. The most beautiful people are not always the prettiest. You might not be everyone’s cup of tea; but when you are, you’re their favorite one.
13. DO YOUR BEST IN EVERYTHING.
It’s important to do things you’re doing now well, no matter what it is. Learning Spanish in school? Learn it well. You might need it shall you ever be called to evangelize. Learning how to play the piano? Learn it well. You might be called to play in church. The skills you can learn right now, learn them. Well.
14. PRAYER & FAITH
As I grow older, I understand more and more how important my faith and prayer becomes. I don’t want to even think about where I’d be if I didn’t have God. And don’t forget about how powerful prayer is. Prayer isn’t the least thing you can do, sometimes its the most you’re able too.
15. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Friends, clothes, experiences even. Be picky. If not anywhere else, be picky here.
16. YOU BECOME THE PEOPLE YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH MOST
Be careful who you allow yourself to be around with. You can tell so much about a person by the company they keep. So even if you yourself don’t change, the way people perceive you will. You might end up losing amazing opportunities that you didn’t even know you could have.
17. FAMILY IS IMPORTANT
Family will always be there for you. No matter how upset you might be at each other at the moment, they’ll always pick you up on the side of the road if your car breaks down. Most importantly, don’t let your issues fester. Forgive and forget and move on.
18. TRUST YOUR GUT
For me “following your heart” is basically an excuse to just do whatever you wanted to do in the first place. But your gut? It knows what’s up.
19. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT
I’m still always surprised when this works. You know how many things I received just because I asked? A lot. You know how many things I didn’t receive just because I was afraid to ask? Much more. Whether it’s your teacher, boss or whoever, don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. The worst they can say is “no”.
20. BE HUMBLE
You will never lose by being humble. Humble doesn’t stumble, darlin’.
What do you agree/disagree with most?
And tell me one thing you learned from your life!
