1. You should follow your heart.
The top thing I'm proud of admitting, especially over the past five years or so. Despite a lot of people trying to give me their words of wisdom, I always recognise the need to follow my gut instinct. Whether in terms of education, friendships or romantic relationships, I can honestly say I don't go into anything halfheartedly.
2. The ones that should stay, will.
Cliche as it sounds, some people are just temporary. Their presence in your life can be great, but so many friendships seem to have sell-by dates recently. And, especially just coming out of my teenage years, those types of friendships have dissolved pretty fast. While this can be confusing, and is definitely not the greatest experience to go through, it makes you appreciate those people that actually stick around so much more.
3. Cocktails are always a good idea.
One friend recently told me 'Whenever I look at your Instagram, all I see are meals and cocktails'. And rightly so! As long as you're responsible with it, enjoying a nice drink on the beach, near the sea or even just out with family can be really chilled - especially if they're served in an amazing glass!
4. So are spontaneous trips.
Sometimes you just have to drop everything, ignore that exam in three days, and enjoy people's company. River view optional, but highly appreciated.
5. You shouldn't compare yourself to others.
At the end of the day, this is clearly easier said than done. But comparison will NOT make you happier. Being involved with others, and helping each other out, definitely will, but never try to mimic others' happiness to pass off as your own.
6. You will learn so much about yourself and change accordingly, don't rush it.
Throwing yourself into situations can only be a good thing, especially if they take you outside your comfort zone. Apply for that job, go to that networking event, start pushing yourself to do more. Never would I have thought, at sixteen or seventeen, that nineteen year old me would have done all of the above and made it through alive. Confidence is something I always struggled with, but over the past couple of years in particular taking those small steps has honestly turned me into a much more self-evaluative, comfortable person in new situations.
7. You will fall in love.
And it will make you so, so happy.
8. You'll start to understand that karma is way too true.
Those people you used to admire will start to show their true colours, and it will be such a relief.
9. You'll stop giving a shit. Or two.
A lot can change in a year, or twenty. Though it might be hard at the time, after a while I think there's a switch in your mind that tells you to suck it up and get on with life. Once you're over the playground politics, life gets so much more complex and the small stuff you once worried over becomes laughable.
10. If it's meant to be, it'll fall into place.
I know a lot of people that seem to spend a majority of their time trying to find happiness, whether it's with others, by changing themselves or just by trying to fit a certain lifestyle. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I've started to realise that what is meant to happen, will. Regardless of your best efforts.
11. Equally, if it's not, you'll get over it.
Failure can definitely be a growing experience.
12. Hard work pays off.
As much as things can, and do, seem to just fall into place - nothing can replace hard work. If you put it in, you'll get so so much more out of life. And when you realise you've given something all you could, there's almost never a reason to regret any of it.
13. You will never stop being embarrassed. Embrace it.
At some point, walking into that glass door however long ago will no longer make you balk at the thought of visiting a place ever again.
14. You can read a 600 page book in a short space of time. Especially if there's a deadline involved.
Ah, to be an English Lit student. I think this works with almost any text assigned to you at university or beyond, your skim-reading ability will be put to great use! Equally, though, remember that reading is a form of comfort and entertainment, and never lose that to the often mind-numbing action of writing lit essays.
15. Timehop will become both a blessing and a curse.
Those amazing clips of that holiday will come back every year, offering a nostalgic brightness that will have you contemplating your next trip. That flashback to the easy sixth form days of messing around in the common room? Great, how funny! That Facebook status confirming your amazing friendship with those people you will never speak to again? Not so much.
16. It's ok to delete those photos.
For one, they're taking up way too much memory. For two, certain memories deserve to be erased.
17. You'll never grow out of emojis.
18. When you're happy, others will follow.
19. Not having a plan, is probably the best plan.
❤️🐧💕🐼🤗💓😂😭😘❤️☺️🎉🍰2️⃣0️⃣🍰🎉☺️❤️😘😭😂💓🤗🐼💕🐧❤️... Need I say more?
Feelings are contagious. Spread the good ones.
19. Not having a plan, is probably the best plan.
*AKA don't take that person(s) advice, because it might be completely useless in your own situation* - Sure, it's good to have goals. But when it comes to something as significant as deciding your dream life, just let the pieces fall as they may. Often, whilst overthinking has caused a lot of confusion, being open to new things has, overwhelmingly, led to the greatest discoveries and moments I could possibly imagine.
Losing people close to me, especially within the past year, has been all too great of a reminder that life seriously is too short. Rather than sitting back and dwelling on the negative, you should always find light of a situation, and life in general. So many people waste time concentrating on those trivial things, and feeling like the universe owes them something - in reality, you build your own future, and looking forward to the next 20 years that's exactly what I intend to do, with the help of positive influences around me.
No comments:
Post a Comment