It's time to get on it. We are only getting older by the minute. Adulthood is going to knock us off our feet if we don't catch up.
Life doesn't happen the way you plan.
And that's the fun part.
Have a personal graveyard.
A personal graveyard is a place where all those who do you wrong go. They do not exist. They are not on your radar. You no longer affiliate with them. Do not be someone's doormat.
How to defend yourself.
And if you don't know, you should brush up on it.
Toxic friends and family are NOT friends or family.
Toxicity will absolutely ruin you. Cut that shit out of your life before it manifests.
Negativity only creates negativity.
This is not algebra. A negative plus a negative does NOT equal a positive.
Know what actually makes you happy.
This may take some time. Nevertheless, it is still important.
Buy the expensive purse.
YOLO.
What others think of you is none of your business.
Stop caring about what people think of you. It is none of your business if they love or hate you. The only person's opinion that matters in regard to your own life is your own.
Know how to cook at least three meals WELL.
Contrary to popular belief, ramen noodles do not count as a meal.
You don't need to know what you want out of your life.
I know most people do not like to talk about it, but it is OK to go with the flow. It is not necessary to have every single detail of your life planned.
Putting yourself first is important.
It is super cheesy, but you are the only version of yourself. You only get one life. Do not waste it making it about irrelevant people or things.
"No" is not a bad word.
As Meghan Trainor sings: "My name is no. My sign is no. My number is no. You need to let it go."
Everyone knows something you don't.
You will never know everything. It is a fact.
Your popularity will not matter.
This isn't high school anymore.
Success obtained by sacrificing happiness is not success.
You may be making the President's List, but neglecting your daily needs is a huge sacrifice. Not sleeping, eating, and taking care of yourself is detrimental.
Always carry cash.
You never know when Kroger's credit card machine is going to crash.
Always have an escape plan.
Sadly, this is important. You need to always know where you are and how to get out of a sticky situation.
Never let your gas tank get lower than 1/4 of a tank.
Especially during the winter.
If you don't like where you are: move.
"I stopped thinking; I just go out, and everything is in the moment. I just stop thinking and start moving—you just gotta be you." - Lil Uzi Vert
If you are not part of the solution: you are the problem.
And that's the tea, sis.
This article may not mean a lot coming from someone who is 18, but it's the thought that counts.