18 things I’ve learned in 18 years
As of January 21, I have finally crossed over into the dangerous and terrifying territory of adulthood. Now that I can buy lottery tickets and get tattoos and be tried as an adult, I have bigger, better, and more permanent mistakes to make. But before I go gamble away all of my McDonald’s money or get an inside lip tattoo that says “Thug Life,” here are some things I’ve learned in my first 18 years of making mistakes:
- The person you will be most embarrassed of isn’t your mom or dad, it’s yourself (I’m talking to you, 7th grade Kellie). Looking back on things you’ve done or said will make you cringe, so try to create the least amount of cringe-worthy moments now.
- Even the people you hate have something to teach you.
- Admitting when you’re wrong is important, but hard.
- Forgiving yourself for being wrong is even harder.
- Deep breaths are underrated. If more people stopped and took deep breaths they wouldn’t have to spend so much time admitting they’re wrong.
- Peer pressure is real, but it isn’t as easy to spot as it is in after school specials. If you feel someone causing you to shy away from who you are to be accepted, it’s probably peer pressure.
- You don’t know who you are, but finding out is what makes life exciting.
- Your number one priority should be taking care of yourself. It isn’t your job to fix others if it’s breaking you.
- You are who you surround yourself with. Inevitably their ideas will permeate your life, so choose wisely.
- BFFs are a myth. The idea that any relationship will last “forever” detracts from the idea that everyone is constantly growing and changing.
- Sometimes people suck. The only way to be OK with that is to think complexly about their lives. There’s usually a valid reason they’re acting that way.
- You shouldn’t be happy all of the time. If you feel any emotion for too long you will become numb to it. The sadness is what keeps the happiness alive.
- Rejection hurts, but not taking a chance hurts more. It’s the “what if” that will kill you before the “no” does.
- Cliches are true, but they won’t mean anything to you until you live them. You’ll be tired of hearing about how life isn’t fair up until the day you start saying it to other people.
- Grades matter, but sanity matters more. I don’t remember what I got on that test in Chemistry freshman year, but I’ll never forget the sleep deprived tears I cried over my notes the night before.
- If they don’t laugh at your jokes, or at least smile, it’s a red flag. This person is not worth your time and will probably hurt you.
- At every stage in your life you’ll think you know everything.
- You know nothing.
