Being 19 is a weird age. You're not really a mature and experienced adult, but you're not a dumb and reckless child anymore either. You're at an age where the decisions you make will end up having an impact on your life in the long run, but at the same time, you still have so much to learn and experience through the mistakes you are bound to make. Even though I know I haven't learned all of life's lessons, I have learned 19 things the hard way at this age from the life I have lived so far.

1. Do whatever makes you happy.

Let me rephrase this…do whatever the f*ck makes you happy. Screw what other people think—you should not let your happiness be defined or be dependent on other people’s approval (it doesn’t matter if they are family, your friends, your best friend, or even a stranger). Because 10 years from now, I promise you that you are going to wish you hadn’t given so many f*cks about what people thought about you or the way you chose to live your life. So, why wait until then to do what you want and what makes you happy? Do it now. The more you start investing your time in the things that make you happy the more you will begin to love your life. Trust me.

2. Mom knows best.

If there is one thing I have learned it is that mom always knows best, so listen to her. All those nights that you were out drinking and partying with friends in high school? She knows, she just chose not to say anything. She basically knows nearly everything you do, so don’t think she doesn’t. Also, if she catches you in a lie, just fess up, because I can guarantee that she already knows the answers to every question she is asking you.

3. Your first love probably won't be your last, and that is okay.

Honestly, there is a good chance that you are going to have a second love and possibly a third and fourth love too. Please do not let your first heartbreak make you too bitter to give love another chance in the future. Remember that there is always good in goodbye.

4. Don’t make assumptions.

I think that the saying “when you assume it makes an ass out of you and me” is enough of an explanation.

5. Work is important, but it is important that you love what you’re doing.

The saying “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life” is the perfect way to explain this. When someone tells you that you should do what you love as a career, listen to them. If you are just working a job because of the paycheck, it will end up emotionally draining you. Doing something you love is the only way you will be able to maintain sanity. I understand that you need money to survive, but if you aren’t passionate about what you do, is it really worth it in the end?

6. Some people aren’t worth fighting for.

This is probably one of the most important things I have learned. I truly believe that is an important thing for everybody to learn, because once you figure out that you’re better off without some people in your life or that you deserve better than how they are treating you, you can let go of them and move on with your life. Sometimes the best thing for you is to let go of people who are toxic for you (no matter how hard it might be). Trust me on this one.

7. Not everyone you think is your friend is actually your friend, some are just your friend when they need something.

If you’re like me, you probably give people the benefit of the doubt and believe that everyone has a heart as big as yours. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Some people are selfish and choose to only do what is best for them, and they don’t care if what they do will hurt other people in the process. There will be people in your life who you think are your friends, but the moment you turn your back, they’ll stick a knife in it. This one sucked to learn but it was something that I am thankful that I learned. I am now able to see the people who are real and true friends and I can see through those who are not.

8. If you don’t ask you will never know.

The worst thing someone can tell you is no, but don’t let the thought of them saying no stop you from asking anyway. Not knowing is worse than being told no. Ask that cute guy out on a date. Send in that application for your dream job. Send in that application to your dream school. If you don’t take a chance now, you’re always going to wonder what would have happened if you would have taken that chance. Regret is a b*tch.

9. You are still learning and will always be learning.

You will never have all the answers, accept it. Each day is a new adventure and a new experience and each one will change you in a different way. Don't be stubborn. Accept that there is still so much for you to learn and learn it. Know that other people have a lot to offer and listen to their advice and stories. Some of the best things you'll learn in life will come from the people that are in your life. Try new things, take risks, and know that there's so much more out there for you to learn. So go learn.

10. Some things never go as planned.

I used to try to control every aspect of my life and it would always end up in disappointment. Not because I wasn't good enough, or because I didn't try hard enough. But because no matter how hard you try, there is no way that you can control every little thing that happens in your life. Learning this the hard way taught me to let the things I can't control just happen the way they are supposed to.

11. People you love are going to leave.

It hurts like hell to have a friend, significant other, etc. leave, but it is going to happen at least once or twice. Without loss, you never truly learn to love. I have lost some of the closest people in my life, people who were never supposed to leave and that I never thought would ever leave. But because of that I love harder than ever before. Like I said before, there is always good in goodbye. Don’t forget that.

12. Eliminate the bullsh*t in your life.

If there is something or someone causing you pain in your life, get rid of it. Life is too short to have to deal with toxic and negative things in your life. Get rid of anything that doesn't make you glad you are alive. No matter how hard it is to eliminate something or someone from your life, if it isn't positively affecting your life, then you need to get rid of it.

13. Everything in life is temporary.

The good times and the bad times are both temporary. Cherish the good times because they won't last forever, and don't get too down during the bad times because they too will come to an end. Enjoy friends and family each day because life is so uncertain and tomorrow is never guaranteed. In your happiest and saddest moments, always remember that they are both temporary.

14. It is okay to not be okay.

This one took me forever to realize (I literally just learned it this past year during my first year of college). You do not have to be perfect because newsflash: no one is perfect. You do not have to always be happy. It is okay to be pissed off or to have a bad day, that is completely normal. Everyone has their moments. You are only human, and part of being human is knowing it's okay to be upset sometimes. Not being okay doesn't make you any less good, it just makes you human.

15. Learn to laugh… a lot.

Laughter really is the best medicine. Laugh at anything and everything. Never become so dull that you cannot laugh at the little things in life. Laugh at your friends, and most importantly, learn to laugh at yourself. No matter where you go or what you do in life, please never lose the magic of laughter.

16. You are going to make mistakes.

It is important to make mistakes. It's going to happen, and it's okay. Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. Sometimes it takes making a few mistakes to make us realize what we were doing wrong. Don't get down on yourself if you slip up, it's totally normal and it is part of growing up. Just make sure not to make the same mistake twice.

17. There are going to be people who want to see you fail.

As awful as it is, there are people like that. They might be jealous or they might have absolutely no reason. This doesn't have to be a negative thing—use it as motivation to prove those people wrong. You've got this.

18. Crying is okay.

Have a horrible day? Just heard some bad news? Have your heart broken? Cry. Let it all out, it's okay. Cry in your room and play your music as loud as you want and let everything you've been holding in get out. Don't be ashamed to let yourself cry in front of others, everyone needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes. Crying doesn't mean you're weak, it's a sign that you are human. Cry in your car, or cry yourself to sleep; don't be ashamed of your tears. Allow yourself to cry, because sometimes it's what you need.

19. Sh*t happens.

Yes life can suck sometimes. You failed a test, a nasty rumor got spread about you, your boyfriend dumped you, but you're still alive. There's no point in wasting time hung up on what’s happening. Just let it all go. Don't beat yourself up over something stupid that you did or said, or something that you have no control over. Because every time you thought you couldn't go on, you did, and you will do it again. Whatever seems like the end of the world now will eventually be over. Sh*t happens, but just remember you are not going to die, and things will get better. I promise.