NINETEEN THINGS IVE LEARNT IN NINETEEN YEARS
August 28, 2017 |
| 23/06/17 |
I've been meaning to write this post ever since my birthday back in June. There I stood at the top of the Rockefella centre overlooking New York and reflecting on what nineteen years on this mad on earth had taught me.
Its a strange age. You're on the brink of your twenties, you're acting like an adult. You have a job and a house and you can finally do everything legally - yet for some reason you feel like you haven't quite figured out adulthood yet. It's safe to say the last year has been the biggest learning curve for me. Moving out and starting to forge my own life for myself away from the comforts of home has really been a life changing experience. And as cliche as it sounds, it really forces you to 'find yourself'. Life is never plain sailing and people are always carrying stories and problems you don't know about. I feel across the nineteen years I've been on this planet I've been dealt more than my fair share of problems, but it's honestly made me who I am now. So whist I believe I will never stop trying to figure out life, here are nineteen things I've learnt in nineteen years.
1. It will take you many years to figure out who you really are. You'll probably go through some weird phases, wear some strange things and do questionable things to your hair but it's okay - you're learning.
2. It's okay not to be good at everything. School tries to teach you that you should excel at 13 different subjects, but if the concept of algebra has you baffled and you just couldn't give a shit about Of Mice and Men then thats fine; you'll be amazing at other things.
3. Things always seem impossible until they're done. The thought of actually doing something that scares you is always worse than actually doing it, so even if you're worried, feel the fear and do it anyway because it will be worth it in the end.
4. Not everyone will like you. It's a fact. People have different personalities and some will clash with yours. As long as you try your best to be a kind human being to everyone, then it's okay if Becky from year 9 science class thinks you're a bitch because you know you're not. :)
5. Everyone is faking it. I challenge you to find one person who isn't. No one knows why they're here or what they're doing so just go with it and make the most of every situation.
6. Spontaneity is key. Doing things in the moment and not planning everything will make life a bit more interesting - so if you want that tattoo after 1 day of thinking about it or you want to book that holiday to Amsterdam using your student loan, do it, because life can be so boring.
7. Being clever is cool. People may make you think its nerdy to like politics and enjoy taking maths tests, but one day it will pay off when you're a high flyer and living the successful life. You can have brains and beauty.
8. Buy it. If you want the pair of shoes or the dress and you're not going to bankrupt yourself by doing so - then buy it, because in the end life is short and you might as well look good whilst doing it.
9. Good times always follow bad. No matter how shitty life might feel at one moment in time it will always and I mean always get better. It might take a day, it might take a week or it might take 7 years, but it will get better. It's fact.
10. Anxiety is futile. Worrying about something doesn't change it. You could sit and worry about an exam for 5 hours but it's not going to change the fact that you will still take that exam. So accept you can't control everything and give in to it.
11. Boys will break your heart, but that's okay. You will get hurt. Getting hurt is a fact of life. But it's good to go through and it will teach you so much.
(11. 5 - you may think that once you've broken up with someone that you're never going to get over them and that you're never going to fancy anyone ever again but I can assure you that's bullshit and you will wake up one day be over it - so be thankful to your year 11 love, they've taught you more than you know.)
12. Tell your family and friends how much you love them. Making time for those you love and showing them how much you care is always worth it. You never know when you may really need them so having a good relationship with them and showing your affection is a good thing.
13. Exercise can be shit, so it's okay not to look like Victoria's Secret model with a flat stomach and a six pack. It's also okay not to follow a vegan fad diet and live off avocado. Just eat a balanced diet and try and stay healthy where you can. (Also, dancing on a night out does count as exercise because slut dropping is essentially squatting :) :) :) )
14. Doing your own thing is highly rated. Spending years trying to fit in with everyone else and blend in is pointless. Discovering what you like and doing what you want is actually the best thing and people won't think you're weird they'll actually respect you for it (and if they don't they're not worth having in your life anyway.)
15. Social media is both the best and the worst thing. Filters are fake and no one looks as good in real life as they do on Instagram. Have fun with it but don't let it consume you or it will take you down a toxic path that just isn't good for you.
16. Liking fashion and make-up doesn't make you shallow. It's a form of expression and art and don't let anyone tell you it's not. You do you girl.
17. Listen to your body. It knows what to do. If you're ill you'll know. If something's wrong, you'll know. Your health is so important so don't take it for granted because when it's gone you'll resent the times you did.
18. Travelling is good for you. Taking yourself out of your normal environment and putting yourself outside your comfort zone will open your eyes to so much more of life. Experiencing other peoples cultures will teach you so much. You need to go away from home to know where you belong.
19. You're still so young. Not having it all figured out is completely okay. Having no idea what you're going to do after university or if you want kids or where you're going is fine. You're not meant to know. So live in the moment and enjoy every stage of your life in all its glory, because time moves far quicker than you think.
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