When I was younger, about 15 years old, I thought that by the time I was 20 (my current age), I would have my life completely figured out. At the very least, I thought I would have it much more figured out than I actually do. I don’t and that’s OK. Truth is, growing up is much easier said than done. No matter how much of an over-thinker you are, or how much you tend to plan for the future, it will rarely ever turn out like you imagined. You are never truly prepared for the curve balls that life will throw at you until they come. The thousand scenarios you imagined and prepared for will probably be nothing in comparison to what could actually happen.

Try as you might, you cannot plan for the unexpected so stop wasting your time. I know not having a plan sounds terrifying; but if there is one thing I know, that is the most thrilling aspect of life. If you could determine every single step of your life that is to come, then how boring would that be? The unexpected moments, the good and the bad, those are the moments that make life worth living-- they are the moments we should look forward to. These moments are character building, they put us to the test and make us think on our feet. They give us the opportunity to show the world what we are really made of. These are the moments that make people. Looking back now, there were some things I wish I had realized when I was 15, but while it may be too late for me perhaps this advice comes just in time for someone else.

First off, slow down. Absolutely nothing is undoable so stop dreading every mistake and understand that it is what it is. Drop it, let it go. If you can’t fix it, it’s probably not worth fixing. This applies specially to relationships; you cannot be the only one doing all the fixing.

Secondly, stop planning so intensely for the future and live life for what it is. Give life the opportunity to change your mind. Don’t be so set on an end goal; allow your experiences to take you to your end goal rather than limit your experiences to comply with where you think you need to end up.

Brush things off a little quicker, nothing at that age is truly worth stressing over. No heartbreak, no bad grade, and no intensive amount of homework will compare to the claws of the real world. Like it or not, heartbreaks continue no matter the age, the workload increases as you get older, and the grades are harder to accomplish. Believe me, there will be situations that will lead you to stress, so don’t waste on mundane problems.

View obstacles as simplistically as possible, because problems are usually easier to solve when you are not submerged in them. Realize that nothing is ever as good or as bad as it seems in the moment. Let this encourage you to solve the bad and push you to appreciate the good. Trust me that complications and drama will come and they will spice up your life, but don’t be the one to start the fires. Do not be the one to complicate.

Lastly, do not compare yourself. Not everyone progresses at the same pace, and we are not all meant to travel the same path. Give yourself the chance to be you and have faith in the fact that you are significant. You have an impact in the lives you touch no matter how young or old you are. And make sure that the impact you leave is a positive one. Others may have an impact too, but no one will do what you will because no one will ever in the history of time have the opportunity to be you. Take advantage of that realization, and make it count.