Real life facts that someone probably told you but you were too young and already knew everything. Cheers to learning experiences.

No one cares how many likes you got on your profile picture. A virtual life elicits momentary satisfaction but only real people can make you happy. Avoidance can snowball. Things just don’t magically disappear. You can throw away your parking tickets but they won’t be gone. If you owe money, pay it as soon as you can. Anything that is given to you is special, but there is real value in things you earn. You are always good enough but only if you work for it. Everything always works out, maybe not tomorrow or the next day, but sometime. Little stresses go away. Think back and wonder if you will remember what you are upset about in a week, month, or year. Most likely, you won’t. Relax. There is no one to clean up your mess; you don’t live with mom anymore. If you puke in your room, you have to clean it up. Also having no clean underwear is not cool. Have goals, no matter how small. You will always feel better when you accomplishment something, even if it’s just sending a postcard. You will have a job one day that you probably won’t love. Hopefully you will like it and find other things you love. Everyone needs time to wind down but take a break to walk around town in the midst of your Netflix marathon. A minute outside can make you feel human. Your family is not lame and embarrassing, they are some of the only people in the world that will love you unconditionally. Tell them how much you love and appreciate them and tell them often. Your friends are the family you choose so choose wisely. Spend time with people that make you feel good and make you laugh. Some people are toxic. If you are living alone and don’t reach out to friends, you will have no friends. Take time for yourself but not too much. Happiness is sweeter when shared, even with a quiet night at home. You can certainly be content in your comfort zone but only feel truly alive when you leave it. Don’t take yourself too seriously and don’t think too much. You will be unhappy. Just enjoy life as it comes and don’t get all worked up over things that you can’t control. You will never regret doing something active, ever. You are your toughest critic, don’t stress over every imperfection but be healthy. You’ll feel better. If you can do it now, do it right now. Procrastinators never win. Say thank you and mean it. People will notice. Do something nice for someone every day. Every. Day. Don’t get too wrapped up in yourself, reach out to people. Sometimes the smallest things make someone’s day. Take a friend for coffee, your treat. If you mess up, own up to it. There is no respect in the blame game. Think about your life decisions as stories you want to tell your grandkids. These will most likely not involve drugs or alcohol. Life is uncomfortable sometimes. It never works out quite like how you imagined. Through thick and thin, it always gets better and is always changing. Find things and people that make you happy and do your best to be a good person. You don’t have to solve all the problems of the world, just be happy.