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posted 20th January 2010 Written by: Andrea CATEGORY: All Posts, Andrea, Season 1, What I've Learned
Looking back, I feel like I have been about 20 different versions of myself over the past 7 years. It’s hard to know whether or not I will become another 20 different version in the coming 7 years….
I hope not.
I would like to think that maybe, just maybe, I’m starting to figure out this thing called life and have less anxiety and fear. Someday, I hope to wake up and say “I’m not living a Quarter Life Crisis anymore!”
Um, that day is not going to be tomorrow or the next day, but, it’s a goal nonetheless.
I’ve learned a lot in the past 7 years, hell I have learned a lot about myself in the past 6 months! It’s made much of my past clear and gives me hope for the future.
If I had kept a journal of all the things I learned, I would be able to tell 18-year-old girls some of those amazing life lessons. I think though, that part of living 18-25 is making mistakes and learning from them on your own.
That’s why its called LIFE- right? Your time to learn through living and being.
However, if I were to look back on my 18-year-old self, I would give the following personal advice:
- Don’t worry about numbers. Grades and income and money don’t matter as much as society makes you think it does.
- Keep your close friends close to you. Get rid of the useless ones, they will only cause you more stress.
- Boys will come and go, but family will always be there.
- Stop keeping so much crap. You will move a lot and its annoying to have so much “stuff.”
- Don’t be afraid of the future. You can NOT control everything and that’s OK.
- Write everyday.
- Say “I Love You” and really mean it.
- When you get stuck at a crossroads and don’t know what to do, help someone in need.
- Remember to talk to your grandmothers more. They are especially wise.
- Don’t be so afraid of the unknown. Change can be a good thing.
- Be true to yourself, not the person you think everyone else thinks you should or could be.
- Spend more time with your sisters. You will miss them when they get their own lives.
- Who cares about social norms? You don’t have to do what every else is doing.
- Save money and stop buying useless things and gifts for people. Make memories instead.
- You are very lucky to have an unbroken family. Try to remember this when they get on your nerves.
- Embrace your faults. It will only make you stronger once you admit you are NOT always right.
- Get rid of the attitude. You are no better than anyone else. Confidence is cool but cockiness is not.
- Learn how to listen.
- Be patient.
- SLOW DOWN
What would you write to your 18-year-old self? What valuable lessons have you learned over the past 5 or so years of your life that you wish you could go back and tell yourself?
P.S.- My best friend I look exactly the same today and for that we are super proud!!
