At 18 years old, I’m supposed to be an “adult.” Although I’m not sure I would deem this the ‘all grown up’ age, I would definitely say that by this time in my life I’ve experienced enough to give advice that I feel like really makes sense - advice that I believe in. Through the trials of middle school and high school, I’ve realized quite a few things about people, about myself, and about the ins and out of life in general. Here are 18 things I’ve learned, during my 18 years of life.

1. Be there for people even when they aren’t there for you. Guilt is a harsh feeling – let them experience it and save yourself.
2. Spend time alone and spend time with your friends, both are so important but without the other they are incomplete and unbalanced.
3. If you need a break take one – slow down before you sprint and you’ll go further than a consistent but tired jog.
4. Don’t be upset when people continually make excuses or let you down– be grateful they’ve given you the gift of knowledge of who they really are.
5. Stop putting your to do list before what you really want. Tomorrow becomes today and today becomes yesterday. Life doesn’t wait for you to “get it done” it just hopes you’ll squeeze it in between the beautiful moments you spend living.
6. Life isn’t like the movies. Romance isn’t like the movies. People will put themselves first and kick you to the curb. The moment you lose hope in the goodness of people is the moment you let the evil people win.
7. You can be happy and imperfect. You can make a mistake and still wake up with a smile on your face each and every morning. You can be a work in progress and still love yourself while you’re under construction.
8. Never chase a someone who doesn’t want you. Stop telling yourself you don’t care – you do. And they don’t. Respect yourself and know you deserve better.
9. Learn from everyone who comes into your life. Learn what you want, what you don’t want, and who you do and do not want to be. Just, learn.
10. Good movies and good books are the ones that make you think for weeks afterwards. Don’t settle for anything less.
11. Say yes to experiences of all kinds – especially travel (even just a weekend in a town an hour away). The getting there, the being there, and the coming home will all change you. Let it.
12. Everything feels better when you earn it. Money feels better spent when you make it yourself. There’s something to be said about not being dependent on anyone but yourself.
13. Who cares what anyone thinks of you? You have to live with yourself, and they have to live with themselves. Be somebody you want to spend the rest of your life with because let me tell you – you will.
14. You don’t always have to be happy. Guess what? You’ll probably be sad sometimes. Just make sure the rest of your time is spent as happy as it can be.
15. Stop comparing your worst angle to everyone else’s best angle. Start wearing clothes that flatter your body type and stop trying to fit the stereotype size 00 supermodel.
16. “Feeling guilty will pass. Feeling sad will pass. And this too shall pass.” Moments are temporary and so are feelings.
17. Take time to learn about the right time and place for everything. When to grow up, and when to be a kid again for a little while.
18. Love. Love everything. Love the city you grew up in and the sunset you saw last night. Love your best friends and that one girl you hate no matter what. Love your mom and your dad and your annoying little brother. But above all love yourself and love yourself enough to be filled with joy constantly. Love yourself enough to do all of the things I mentioned above... Simply so that you can live happily.