So I have a Quote Note on my iPhone, as many people do. Over the years, I've recorded many of my friends' quips, completely out of context. For my 22nd birthday, I wanted to compile a list of 22 of my favorite life lessons I have learned from my friends. Hopefully you can learn something, too.
1. Don't overthink things.
"I think the brain being normal is the brain being abnormal." - Janine Leano
2. A drink once in a while is OK.
"I'll either be celebrating or commiserating, but either way I'll be drinking." -Mali McGuire
3. "Gotta laugh to keep from crying!" -Sofia Passik
Conversely:
4. "Trust me: you will be sad if you are never sad." -Conner (age 10)
5. Tell your stories with pride.
"It doesn't matter how many stories you have. As long as you like the ones you have." -Ileana Vior-Quintanilla
6. Crushes suck.
Caitlyn Rei once explained how having a crush on someone is as physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting as having mono.
7. "No one needs to feel bad about having ice cream!" -Karly Garster
8. Celebrate your accomplishments, then get back out there.
"This is not where you peak. This is the volt to carry you up the mountain." -Georgi Henderson
9. Puns are more than OK.
Sean Silva explained that you can make puns same as Disney made straight-to-DVD sequels because someone will always buy them.
10. "Shoot for the moon. If you miss, next time do better." -Sydney Stuart
11. Hindsight truly is 20/20.
"You can't always see the signs when you didn't know you were supposed to be looking for them." -Christine Bustillos
12. Don't let people guilt-trip you.
"If it takes two to tango, your partner can't blame you if they didn't learn the steps." -me, giving advice at some point
13. "Forget about happiness. Search for meaning." -Darren Te
14. Chase after your dreams.
"If Disney gave me a broom, I would sweep their floors." -Mary Grace Costa
15. You learn as you go.
"It's like last year I learned how to stand. And this year, I have to run a mile." -Kathryn Thompson
16. You won't know until later why certain things happen.
"When life hands you lemons, you laugh in the face of those lemons." -Cristina Totino
17. But keep chasing.
"When those doors close, break open a wall and make it happen." -Andrew Toscano
18. "Art is not about teaching a lesson, it is about empathizing." -Amy O'Hanlon
19. Have high expectations.
"Don't let your heart be broken by someone who didn't even get the chance to appreciate it." -me, again giving advice I don't know when
20. And don't settle.
" Excuses can serve as an explanation, not a justification." -Caroline Cordova
21. You're the only one who can validate your appearance.
"Sometimes it's a good thing I look like a non-threatening middle-schooler." -Ashley Kames
And my favorite piece of advice:
