- Being picky is okay.
- Listen to all types of music.
- Not all parents are meant to be parents.
- Don't be ashamed of where you're from.
- It's never too late to turn your life around.
- You don't have to prove anything to anyone.
- You are worth more than how people treat you.
- Prayer is important. Pray on good and bad days.
- Loving someone doesn't make them deserve you.
- If it causes your blood to boil, you must speak up.
- You are human and sometimes you can hurt others.
- Hold on tight to someone who generally cares about you.
- If you miss someone, tell them. Odds are they miss you too.
- People aren't scary unless you give them the power to be so.
- Not everybody is going to love you the way you love them and that's okay.
- Always smile at strangers. You don't know how badly someone might need it.
- People are mean and sometimes it gets to you but always hold your head high.
- Things aren't always black and white and it doesn't have to be perfect to be good.
- The right people will be able to make you laugh even in the face of utter devastation.
- Don't let people touch you because you're lonely or sad or insecure. You will feel worse.
- Drugs and drinking are never the answer to your problems, they just help you avoid them.
- You can find the right person for you when you less expect it. You need to take a risk and fall for them.
- You can't bear a great burden alone. Choose who you share things with carefully, but open up to at least one person.
- What was unbearable once can mean nothing months after. You can survive what you previously thought impossible.
- Don't be afraid to be yourself. Be yourself unapologetically. The people who are meant to be in your life will find you, and stay.
- Go to the beach. Who cares if your thighs jiggle and you have a comfortable tummy? None of that's going to matter when you're 80.
- It's okay if you don't know what you want to do with your life. You can be 26 and still not know. There's nothing wrong with you.
- If you think something nice of someone, no matter how small it is, tell them. They won't think it's weird and they'll remember it all day.
- Not everyone will like you. That's okay. You probably don't like others too, but hating other people is a waste of time. Be nice to everyone.
- Don't be so caught up in yourself that you forget others are struggling too. Small acts of kindness are wonderful. Always check on your friends and family.
- People are temporary. They come and go and that's okay. But some people will come and go at the expense of your sanity and that's not okay. Stop allowing them to do that.
- You're going to think you're over someone and then they will try to talk to you and every part of your brain will remember how much you loved them. That's okay. That's normal.
- When your life feels like everything is caving in around you and there's no way out, take a nap. Things may not always feel better when you wake up, but at least you escaped for a couple of hours.
- If someone invites you to do something and you don't want to go, don't go. Stop saying maybe when you want to say no. If someone asks you to do something you don't want to, don't be afraid to say no.
- Don't spend every second trying to capture a moment you aren't really experiencing. Take less photos and experience more. If your focus is behind the camera lens you miss what is actually going on around you.
- Don't allow toxic people into your life. It doesn't matter how much you love them or how long you've known them, they're toxic. Don't tolerate it. Even when they say they've changed, they probably haven't. People can change, but be weary.
- You aren't as annoying/needy/clingy as you think you are. Your friends are your friends for a reason, they want to be there to support you. Let them. That being said, friends get busy. Learn to take care of yourself. There's not always going to be someone to pick up the pieces for you.
- Don't shut out people you care about because you're sad. Don't lock yourself in your room, crying and listening to sad music. Sometimes it's okay to stay in bed and not shower for a week, but most of the time it's not. Get up, take a shower, do something productive. Hangout with your friends, make yourself look nice and smile. Life's meant to be enjoyed. You'll probably feel better.
m.f. // Things I learned this year