As I sit here and wonder what to write about, I think to myself “What do I want to share with the world? What is important to me?” One thing that I think is very important is sharing your knowledge and beliefs with the world. Over the past few years I have acquired many great ways to live and view life that I think are important to share. I think it is important to open people’s eyes to new ways of thinking about life. Here is a list of mentalities and beliefs that I hold.

1. Do what makes you happy and have no regrets.

I say this almost every single day and I always advise people to live by these words. Do what makes you happy. Not what makes your family, peers, or anyone else happy. Your life is about you and your happiness. Also, you cannot regret something if it once made you happy. For example— if you were to date someone but then they ended up breaking your heart. Would you really regret dating them? Would you regret all the time you spent with them? Regret means that you wish you never did something. But why would you ever want to go back and erase something that made you happy? You should always do the things that you love and that make you happy. You should never regret it for a second.

2. Do not say that you’ll never do something.

Do not say things like “I’ll never smoke weed” or “I’ll never date so-and-so.” I am just making examples up, but my point is to never exclude yourself from anything. If you do not enjoy something, that is totally fine! However, if you have never tried something, do not exclude yourself from it! Life is short and you need to live. You need to try new things so that you can grow as a person. Experiences truly shape people’s lives. Experiences and new encounters allow people to learn more about themselves and the world. It is through life experience that people gain wisdom.

3. Never let your fear decide your future.

Yes, I saw this quote on Pinterest and yes it blew my mind. This is similar to the idea of not excluding yourself from anything, but this still holds true. Do not let fear get in the way of your life! If your gut is telling you not to do something, then listen to your gut! However, if you genuinely want to do something but you are afraid of the possible outcome or consequence, do it anyway! Life is short and like I said, do what makes you happy and have no regrets. Do not let your little fear or the butterflies in your stomach stop you from achieving your dreams and doing the things that you want to do.

4. At the end of the day, the only advice that matters is the advice you give to yourself.

I know this may sound odd, but let me explain. Sometimes people in your life will not give you the advice that you want to hear. Granted, sometimes you need that. At the end of the day your true friends and family always have your best interests at heart. However, sometimes what people tell you is not the same as what your heart is telling you. I believe that at the end of the day, you must do what your heart and gut are telling you, even if it goes against what everyone else is advising you to do. This seems very dramatic, but my point is simply that at the end of the day, you should always do what you feel is right whatever that may be.

5. Don’t judge or shame anyone for the way they live their life.

Over the past few years, I have learned that every single person is unique. One thing that I have also learned is that everyone has that side of himself or herself that they do not share with the world. So before you judge someone, you must remember that you do not know what is going on in his or her life behind closed doors. Do not slut-shame. Do not judge people on their appearances. Do not judge. I am not saying that I have never judged someone, but I have learned that there is no point in being judgmental and it simply is not nice. Also, why waste your time judging other people when you can live your own life?!

6. Everything happens for a reason.

Many people say that experiences are either “a blessing or a lesson”. This idea could not be truer, at least in my eyes. I believe that every single event that happens in your life is for a reason. Every person that you come across in life was meant to cross your path. In my opinion, you never meet people on accident or out of coincidence. Every person, place, and experience that we encounter affects and shapes who we are one way or another. As time goes on, people learn and grow from everything that comes their way. Everything happens for a reason. Whether that reason is to bring you happiness or knowledge (or both).

7. If something is meant to be, it will be.

Like I mentioned earlier, everything happens for a reason. However, the lack of something occurring is also for a reason. Some things in life are just simply not meant to happen. I believe that the universe is strong and it works its magic on all of us. I believe that if something is meant to be, it will be, no matter how long it takes to occur.

8. Never settle.

I believe that people should never settle for less than what they want and what they believe that they deserve. We only live once and we all deserve the very best life has to offer. By settling for something, you are not allowing yourself to have what you truly want. My advice is to stay strong, never settle, and wait until the very best comes along and makes you happy.

9. Anything is possible.

I am going to be a sophomore in college in the fall and if my freshmen year of college taught me one thing, it is that anything is possible. Your entire life can change in a week, a month, or a year. People have these ideas in their head of how life will play out. However, the reality is that there are going to be twists and turns along the way. I guarantee that you will experience something that you never imagined you would some time in the future. Never take anything for granted either, because the idea that “anything is possible” includes losing something or someone. Losing and gaining things is never planned or expected, but it is possible. So if you ever think that life is boring just wait, because I guarantee something insane will happen in no time.

10. Follow your gut.

I am sure that everyone under the sun has been advised to follow his or her gut. It really is the best advice out there. Your inner instincts are what you should follow at all times if you are ever in doubt. Your instincts are strong— do not blow them off as if they are nothing. No one knows you better than you. So, if you do not feel comfortable in a certain situation, get out of that situation. Whatever the case may be, always follow your gut because it will never fail you.

These are the things that I believe in and these are the ways that I live. I hope that what I have said has been an eye-opener. I just wanted to share my thoughts with the world. I hope that everyone reading this leads happy and healthy lives!