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22 Lessons I've Learned in 22 Years, As Told By My Friends

Even without much context, my friends give pretty excellent advice.

Talia Rosetta Baugnon

Dec 20, 2016

Loyola Marymount University

22 Lessons I've Learned in 22 Years, As Told By My Friends

Talia Baugnon

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:

22. "Accept who you are in this moment, and know there's more." -a customer when I was working retail two summers back

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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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