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19 Things I've Learned By 19

Taylor Swift was right. Shake it off.

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19 Things I've Learned By 19
Martha Donnelly's Photo

As time goes on, you tend to learn things. I am turning 19 and I have learned a lot by living my life for the past nineteen years. Hope this will help some people who might be close to my age or even older!

1. Time goes by so fast.

One minute you are five and getting on the bus for kindergarten and the next minute you are moving your tassel on your graduation cap. All you can really do is embrace life and time because there is no slowing it down.

2. Apologize.

If you know you did something wrong it does not hurt to apologize no matter what the circumstances were. You don't want to feel guilty for your actions later on in life so if you feel like you need to say sorry, go ahead and say it.

3. Never go to bed without saying goodnight.

Not everyone does this but it is very important. You have no idea what could happen while you are asleep so it is always good and safe to say goodnight to your loved ones before your head hits the pillow.

4. Take pictures.

I love taking pictures and anyone who knows me knows this. It is so important to have photo proof of all the memories you have made in your life. I love being able to look back at pictures and videos to see all the memories I have shared with my friends and family.

5. Cherish your loved ones.

I have lost too many loved ones throughout my nineteen years on this earth and it really has just taught me that no matter what happens in your life it is so important to tell the important people in your life that you love them.

6. Laugh.

This might sound stupid but it is very important! Laughter is something that everyone should be doing once a day at least. It makes you happy and in life, there should always be a little bit of laughter.

7. Follow your dreams.

Following your dreams is something that everyone should be doing in their life. Life is so short that you should always be doing something that you love and that you are passionate about. Following your dreams will get you to the places you want to be in your life.

8. If you are not happy with your life, make a change.

This goes with the previous point I made but this is something that I strongly believe in. This life that you are living was made for you so why be miserable living it? Life is so unpredictable that if you're not happy you should make a change.

9. Crying is okay.

I honestly feel like crying is always looked down upon. This makes me really sad because crying is normal. It is an emotion that people show and there is honestly nothing wrong with it. If you are sad you might show how you are feeling through tears and that is way better than holding your emotions in.

10. Seeing your favorite artist in concert is so worth it.

I am an unapologetic Taylor Swift fan and that is never going to change. When you look up to someone it is a cool thing to see them living out their dreams and doing what they love. By seeing Taylor Swift in concert I become the happiest version of myself because I get to see my idol do what she loves and it is so inspiring.

11. Smile.

Show the world your pearly whites. Show the world how happy you are with the life you are living and everything you are experiencing.

12. You are way stronger than you think.

You might be scared of something but that doesn't mean you can't do it. Go after whatever you are scared of because you have no idea how much you can do without limiting yourself because of your doubts.

13. You don't have to wear makeup every single day.

Don't get me wrong I love wearing makeup. I love the way it looks on me, and how I can use it to make me look different and how it can bring out certain aspects of my face. Natural beauty is something that is present and really something that is beautiful. So, go show your beautiful face!

14. Move away from home.

Over the past nine months, I have grown as a person because I moved away from home. I took almost everything I own and started my life in a new section of New York. Moving away from home is very freeing and scary but it helps one grow immensely as a person.

15. Be Yourself.

Okay, this might sound really cliche but in my opinion, it is very important. The person you are is the person you are so let that be known. Don't change because of society, show the world your true colors because they are beautiful.

16. Everything happens for a reason.

Since I have been experiencing life for the past nineteen years I have realized how things have unfolded for me. I do not always like the outcome of the things that are happening in my life but sometimes there is nothing you can do about it.

17. Shake it off.

Yes, I might be referring to the popular Taylor Swift song but in all seriousness don't let the haters bring you down.

18. Love yourself.

There is only one you so live your life the way you want to and treat yourself the way you deserve to be treated.

19. Live your life the best way YOU can!

It's your life, now go live it the way you want to!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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