The real beauty of this life is that we can make mistakes and those mistakes help us learn, grow, and become strong individuals. There is no such thing as being perfect. Every one of us makes mistakes but we should love ourselves for who we are and not who we think we should be. Hannah Montana was right all those years ago, “nobody’s perfect” and “everybody makes mistakes”.
Here are the 10 things I wish I wouldn’t have had to learn the hard way.
Fall in love, and NOT with a boy.Fall in love with the seasons, or the way the leaves slowly change color or the way the snow falls from the sky. Fall in love with the way the pages of a brand new book smell, or how crisp they feel. Fall in love with music, the low strum of a guitar, or the voice of your favorite artist. And last of all, fall in love with YOURSELF, with your intelligence, your soul, or how your eyes look when the lighting is just right. The love you store in your heart does not always have to be poured out for another being, it is your love and you can be as selfish with it as you please.
Not everyone is going to love you.This does not mean you are not worth loving (because you totally are) this simply means that not everyone you come in contact with is going to see how amazing you are. Believe in yourself, treat others kindly; everything else will take care of its self.
Be confident.You may not believe me, but others can see it when you have confidence in yourself, I promise. People will respect and admire you for your confidence. So, if you like wearing socks with your chacos or never brushing your hair–DO IT and strut your stuff like you just stepped off a runway.
Your happiness is not dependent on others.Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission,” and that my friends, isn’t more true! Wake up in the morning, fix a cup of coffee, put on your most comfy tshirt, and decide that today you are going to be in control of your own happiness!
Your mom is your best friend.Trust me when I say, you will value your relationship with her more than anything. Anyone that knows me, even just a little, knows how much my mom means to me so I really know what I’m talking about here. However, it was not always this way. One day you are going to realize how much of a superwoman she really is and how much she does for you. Your mom is and will always be your biggest fan. Even when you think she’s your worst enemy, she has got your back more than you can imagine. (Mom, if you’re reading this, don’t cry. Oh, and I miss you.)
Focus on the good.Your life is far too short to focus on anything less. Yes, you may be tired. Yes, you may have bags under your eyes down to your chin, but that means you’re doing something right. Embrace these times in your life and then be thankful for them. Your talents and efforts mean something, don’t let them waste because you’re too busy focusing on petty things.
The people in your life right now, might not be in your life next year.People grow and unfortunately, that sometimes means growing in opposite directions. Be thankful for the relationships you had with those people. You may think you can’t survive without them, but you can. You are strong and the pain you are feeling right now will only make you stronger in the long run. There is a reason people come into your life, but you must realize there is also a reason they have been removed from your life. Be patient, you will one day see how all the little things are contributed to the big plan. One day you will meet people that make you question how you ever survived without them.
Do not settle.My mom has preached this to me for my entire life and I am finally understanding. Settling now will only hinder you in the future. Whether it’s a relationship, your grades, or your opportunities, if you believe you deserve more then go get it. Be the very best you can be at everything you do. Do not settle for mediocrity when you were made to be extraordinary.
Have an open mind about everything.No matter what the issue, have an open mind. Whether it be relationships, career choices, potential majors, or the choices you’ve made. Life is crazy and I think Meredith Grey said it best when she said “Just when we think we’ve figured things out, the universe throws us a curve ball. So we have to improvise, we find happiness in unexpected places, we find our way back to the things that matter the most. The universe is funny that way, sometimes it just has a way of making sure we wind up exactly where we belong.” So, be open-minded, adjust your sails to the changing winds, and trust that you will end up exactly where you belong.
Your mom is right (and always has been).As much as your 15-year-old mind wanted to believe that she hated you, she didn’t. She loves you beyond words. At around 20 years old you will be sickened by how many times you’ve said/thought “she was right”. However, soon after the terrible taste of those words has gone away; you will fill with joy knowing that one day you will raise a child and she may hate you at 15, but she will thank you at 20.