People share their advice with us all the time, whether we want to hear it or not. In fact, I am about to give you some unwarranted advice right now, but before you click away, listen to Carrie Underwood. She says it best in her song "Lessons Learned," so I will let her take it from here.
And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned.
Here are 14 important lessons I have learned and am still implementing in my life today:
1. You create your own life.
Share it with loved ones, enjoy the present, and above all else, love yourself first.
2. Everyone on this earth feels emotions.
We are not robots, yet when it comes to talking about said emotions, people get embarrassed or say “I’m fine." Just throwing this out in to the universe, but if you are not okay, own up to it, because there are people out there who genuinely care about you and want to help. Which brings me to my next point...
3. Surround yourself with genuine, good people.
You will automatically know who these people are, because you feel safe and yourself when you are near or around them.
4. Family is anyone who loves you unconditionally.
They are there for you in times of need and are most likely dysfunctional.
5. Cry until you run out of tears.
Anywhere or anytime. It sucks at the time, but sometimes, a good cry is all you need. Don’t be ashamed of your ugly girl cry either (guys too). Embrace it.
6. A majority of college students spit out judgment after judgment against one another.
You really do not know what anyone has gone through, so cut him or her some slack. We are all trying to get through college alive, with a degree and without our freshmen 15.
7. It is never to late to do what you want to do in life.
We can press the restart button at any time and change our lives drastically for the better. Just because society tells you this is what you need to be doing does not mean that is best for you.
8. Be spontaneous, be adventurous, be you.
Go on a crazy road trip with your best friends for a day, and when your friend from another college calls you to go visit them, go! No matter the distance. The trip in the car is half the fun.
9. Believe in something bigger than yourself.
10. Feel grateful for people and things, no matter how big or small they seem to you.
The more gratitude you put in the universe, the more you get back in return.
11. No one, not even adults, knows what the hell he or she is doing.
Everyone makes stuff up as they go along. So go with the flow, put on your big girl/boy pants, and buck up.
12. Work hard.
You won't get anywhere sitting on your a**. Unless you drive trucks for a living.
13. Make a new friend every day.
College is different than high school. We are all the weird kids, so talk to the randos next to you in class and at the bar you stumble to.
14. Most importantly, accept where you are in life.
Stop comparing yourself to celebrities, friends, and family. You are unique, and no matter how much you think you and your best friend are the same person, you aren't.
I share these tips with you so your heart can listen for once. If your soul is in the right place, you cannot go wrong. Love conquers all and fear can always be defeated when you slow down and listen to your gut feeling.
As I reach my 21st birthday, I look back and think of how far I have come. I still have a long way to go, but I am finally content with where I am in life. Maybe today, you will do that too. No matter if today is a rough or a great day, you can look back at everything you’ve been through and say, “I made it.”
