17th birthdays aren’t that exciting, which I now know. At 16 you can finally drive, 18 you’re legal but 17 is this awkward year where you’re not quite an adult but also don’t qualify as a kid anymore. There are expectations set out as you prepare for adulthood and for some who are graduating like me, preparing to go out into the world. I often find myself at a disadvantage because I am graduating a year ahead of time. It’s as if I lost a year that I would have spent maturing but because of this fast-tracking process, I’ve come to realize some harsh realities and also some unexpected joys.
So here, from someone perhaps unqualified…
17 Things I’ve Learned in 17 Years:
1.People will doubt you — it doesn’t matter. As long as you know for a fact that you’re capable
2. Despite contradiction, your grades do matter, study hard and do your best but at the end of the day the mark does not define you
3. Humility is necessary, dance in public and make a fool of yourself because, in the end, it builds character
4. Keep your expectations low, that way the world will constantly impress you and in more ways than you thought possible
5. Walking is the best meditation, whether it’s around the block, through the park or even out in mountains – breathe in the air
6. SLEEP MORE!!! YOU WILL SUFFER THE NEXT DAY!!! NO SARAH NOT ANOTHER EPISODE OF GREYS ANATOMY!!!!!!!
7. The world is a beautiful place, look outside of your tiny bubble and see the bright future you have in store, hold onto this image and you will get through it
8. Never cut fruit/bagels/vegetables towards your hand, unless you want to end up in hospital, and in need of surgery…
9. Don’t make time for the people that never make time for you, draw a line and stick to it
10. Being down to earth is overrated, being outrageous is so much more fun
11. Never get bangs again
12. Time spent doing something that makes you happy is never wasted time
13. Value the time spent with family, these moments are precious
14. Take everything with a grain of salt
15. Having a boyfriend isn’t everything, give it time
16. Be kind and things you deserve will come your way
17. Conforming to the norm is not going to make you happy, doing what you love, being who you want to be and just genuinely taking life for what it is will satisfy you more than you know. Despite the fact that life has really sucked the last couple years and there have been some very nasty cards dealt to you, that does not determine what the future will bring.
Xx
Good advice!
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