Life is filled with many moments. Some are happy, some sad, and some that are life-changing. As you go through life and experience these moments, you learn from each of them. Often when we look back at these times, we feel the urge to tell ourselves what we know now. This is not necessarily because we regret these life experiences, but so we can let ourselves know that everything is going to be alright. When you’re young, life-changing moments feel like the end of the world, but the truth is it’s only the beginning. These moments are filled with many lessons.
In the recent years, I made many mistakes and wrong decisions. I acquired bad habits but at the same time, I learned many lessons. The school of life allowed me to understand myself and what I want from life.
Today, I am dedicating this post to my younger self.
1. Play more. Play, smile, laugh and be free. People become angry, sad, sick, selfish, greedy and poor because they don’t play enough. Don’t get discouraged by others, you have so much happiness inside of you, enjoy it.
2. Be nice to your mother. Whether you realize it or not, she is your best friend, your rock, and you're going to go through the good and the bad times. She won't always know what to say, but she has experienced a lot more than you.
3. Learn how to say "NO". Being the older you and telling you this now, I'll be honest with you, you still suck at this. You are always a little bit too nice, a little too generous, and sometimes saying "no" won't hurt. You can’t be all things to all people. Know your priorities. Know your goals.
4. You have emotions. It is going to be OK. With age emotions come and some days they are going to be worse than others. It is not a bad thing, remember how you thought you were heartless, it gets better. Let yourself cry, let yourself scream, let yourself laugh until you cry!
5. Popularity means nothing. Did Ms. Popular hook up with Daniel at the party last weekend and then Daniel told her he actually had feelings for her friend Ashley and then she slapped Ashley in front of everyone and then Kara got it on video? OMG WHO CARES.
A large part of superstar rappers we’re lame in high school just like me. Being made fun of by others and looked upon as a pariah can motivate people to follow their wildest dreams, so no OP, it doesn’t matter.
6. Don't try to be important. What's important is that you stay true to yourself. Because when you enter the real world, th emost valuable thing you can bring is your you-ness. The world doesn't need any more hot chicks or tough guys or smooth talkers - te world need more you.
7. Nothing lasts forever. Everything comes to and end, whether it is good or bad times, high school, college, or your first job. All the struggles you have to go through will make you stronger than the end. And I promise it is all going to be worth it.
8. Don't ever give up on yourself. If you don’t succeed at first, keep trying. When life starts throwing bullets your way, don’t give up. You need to be your biggest cheerleader and you need to realize that giving up does nothing. Don’t let life get the best of you.
What my friends have to say?
I asked my friends what would they tell their younger selves. I got a lot of inspiring and touching responses. Here are they.
"To engage in some kind of sport, read more and do not say things when you're angry, because you are going to regret later for the words that you said." - DD.
"Be more accountable, start concentrating on important things and act someone's age." - MJ.
"Be careful with whom you meet and not be so naive, spend more time with the people you love and make them happy, believe that you can realize your goals and dreams. Believe more in yourself." - EA.
"Do not get angry about stupid things, love yourself more and sleep more." - AE.
"Don't be so naive and don't follow the steps of others. Do not lift yourself up too much and probably eat more healthy. " - ET.
" I would tell myself not to worry as much about what everyone else thinks about me. At the end of the day, your opinion of yourself is the most important. " - MH.
"Do not trust the people around you so easily and before making any kind of relationship with someone found who he is actually. Be bitchy. Show the others the things that you can do, because if do not, no one is really going to know about them." - DL.
"Think before acting. Never say anything when you're angry and do not promise when you are happy." - DI.
"Find your talent and develop it." - DS.
"Be impulsive, dumb, full of many dreams, different from most of the kids, myself. " - GD.
So to the younger version of myself, never forget life is here for you to experience. Know that everything will work out in the end.