Within my 18 years on this earth, I have been faced with many lessons, both good and bad. All of these lessons have shaped me into the person I am today, and taught me things that I am so lucky to have learned at such a young age. This past year for me has been pretty eyeopening for me, and so here are 18 of the best lessons that I learned before I turned 18.

1. Everything happens for a reason. You may never know that reason, but just know that it exists.

2. If your friendship is in a rough spot, always try to talk it out before jumping to conclusions. 90% of problems can be solved with communication.

3. If any relationship is toxic, don’t hesitate to end it. The longer you wait the worse it will be when you finally do it.

4. Your education is important, but it should never get in the way of your mental health.

5. Her prettiness does not take away from your prettiness or make you any less pretty.

6. The person who is there for you at 3 a.m. when you’re crying your eyes out and at your absolute worst is the person you want by your side.

7. Not everything in life is a competition.

8. Just because he talks like that to you, doesn’t mean that he doesn’t talk that way to every other girl in his contact list. Stop making excuses; if he wanted to be with you, he would be.

9. Don’t miss out on your current life because you’re stuck in the past. You are right here, right now.

10. A drunk text either tells the absolute truth or the exact opposite.

11. Just because someone copes differently than you doesn’t mean they don’t care.

12. Stop comparing yourself to others. It's a disease that will only escalate.

13. Tell people how you feel. Even if you’re scared it will burn your life to the ground. You say it loud.

14. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things.

15. When no one else is there for you, God will be. He never turns His back on you, even when you may think you deserve it.

16. Jealousy will destroy you.

17. If you can’t laugh at your mistakes, you can’t grow.

18. Life hurts. But it is so worth it.