#20 lessons

(Breaking my hiatus. Hello!)

This year has been really significant for me. This is the year I ended probably two of the most dramatic phase of my life: My teenage and college life.

So, in celebration of that and my 20 year existence, here are 20 takeaways:

Self-care and Balance. It sets the line between hard work and straining yourself.

Being organized is VERY IMPORTANT. But it doesn’t mean you won’t mess up. You will, for many times, but it is okay.

You will be worn out but don’t give yourself that as reason to give up. If you’re tired, rest. 

There are people around you who can relate with and understand you. And most of the time, they’re willing to listen.

Coffee is good. But never depend on it.

Spend time with yourself and you’ll be surprised with the things that you will discover about yourself and your surroundings.

Learn to listen to your body.

Spend time with your true friends as you talk about your future plans and long term goals. It’s a really good kind of motivation.

Don’t be afraid to create, and don’t be afraid to call yourself a “creator”. And that goes with whatever context you might wanna take it.

Do what you love. I can’t stress it enough.

Spend time learning that craft that you’ve always wanted to do.

Pour out your time and energy learning different things — and never stop learning.

College is tough, but so are you. (cliché but you’ll need it)

You don’t have to share everything on social media.

Always be grateful and humble.

Give credit to whom it is due. Always.

Don’t feel bad whenever people take advantage over your kindness. You just did your little part to make the world a better and peaceful place.

One of the things the world is lacking is the best thing you can always give: Patience.

Learn unconventional yet very crucial skills: leadership, media literacy, and empathy.

I turn 20 years old this coming September 11th, the big 2 0 ! So here’s a few important things I’ve learned so far in life. 

1. Watch what you say to people. Hold your tongue, there’s a time to speak up and there also times where you should just keep to yourself. You don’t know what someones going through, you don’t know their life. So don’t judge a person by not knowing what’s going on in their life. 

2. Don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions. I have made so many mistakes, due to the fact I let my emotions get the best of me. Don’t, don’t make a permanent decision that you won’t accept when you’re doing being mad, sad, happy, etc. 

3. Don’t rush life. You’re young, enjoy your life. Don’t rush to grow up. 

4.  You can choose your company. Surround yourself with the right people. I can tell you now, that I lost more people this year than all the other 19 years of my living, together. You see who are you real friends and who are your fake friends, sometimes some people just need you when they need something. 

5. You’ll get your heart broken. You don’t have to be in a relationship to get your heartbroken, I got my heartbroken the year my grandmother passed away. It was like losing a big chunk of me. And you can’t do anything about it, your heart will be broken, and we just need to deal with it. 

6. Relax. Don’t overwork yourself, take a break from time to time. 

7. Start saving money now. I can’t stretch this out enough, save money now. Every penny counts, keep a jar for all your change, you’ll be surprised how much bills you bring in with just a jar of coins. 

8. Not everyone is bad. I have had trust issues with people growing up. And as much as I wanted to shut everyone out and not trust anyone anymore it’s hard because there is still people in this world who know how to keep their word and be trust worthy. Just be careful and don’t trust too fast. Trust is a big thing that people should earn, and not be easily given.

9. SLEEP.  This is very important, sleep all you can now because you’re gonna miss it. Every year it’s like my schedule gets busier day by bay. 

10. Love. Love with all your heart. Not in the way where you forget to love yourself. But love everyday you live, love what you do, and just love. Don’t fill yourself with hatred for you will not be able to be fully happy. 

11. The road is tough, but knowing that you’re succeeding is great. Don’t give up so easily. Fight for what you want, even though the road is tough and you can be thrown any obstacle, just pull through and don’t stop.

12. Say no. It’s okay to say no. Don’t feel obligated to say yes all the time. I’ve always let people push me around and let them tell me what to do, and I regret it. You have a voice, speak up. It’s okay. 

13. Do what makes you happy. Focus on your happiness. Do what makes you happy, don’t base your happiness off of someone. You are your own happiness.

14. You are not your mistake. I have had my own struggles with this. I sometimes still do believe I am a mistake, I’m not begging for pity, but sometimes when you fuck up one too many times, you start to believe you are a mistake. I can tell you right now, you’re not. You are not a mistake and you should always remember them. 

15. Travel! It is such a great thing to travel, you’re young. You’re in your 20′s and I beleive that everyone in their 20′s go through that adventurous phase. & traveling would be such a great way to feed that adventurous crave. 

16. Don’t lose yourself and always remember where you came from. I get it, you’re on your ladder to success and I am all for that, but... Never forget who was always by your side, don’t forget where you came from. You never forget who were there when you started with nothing, they are the ones who truly support you. 

17. Time does heal. Time heals all wounds. It really does, just give it time.

18. Not everyone is going to like you. Don’t go around wasting your time trying to please everyone around you, you can’t please everyone. It’s impossible. Someone will always find something wrong with you, it’s just how it is. 

19. Priorities. Prioritize. Simple.