20 THINGS I LEARNED BY THE TIME I TURNED 20
When you need help, ask for it. Your friends, family and even teachers are here for you. Remember that your mental health comes first, no excuses.
Everything is temporary. The bad times will pass but unfortunately so will the good. Enjoy everything as best as you can while you can.
Some days you will feel overwhelmed by the horrors and pain of this world but do not let this change you, do not let this make you cold. Breathe. Always stay soft and compassionate. Remember that this world needs people like this or it will not survive.
Feeling everything is better than feeling nothing at all. I know it hurts, but this is living after all. Imagine how dull the world would be if you did not experience all of it to its fullest.
Growing up some people who promised they would never leave, will eventually do. People change and friendships fall apart. Never forget to appreciate the people who haven’t left.
Some days the tears will come and you will not be able to stop them. It will happen in awkward places, in class, at a party, in the car… Do not apologise for it, your emotions are valid.
Appreciate everything your body does for you: the way it is constantly healing itself, the way it keeps you alive. It is alway kind to you so you better be kind to it back. Listen to it, take care of it, do not try to burn it down.
Learn the difference between being alone and being lonely. Being alone is healthy, being lonely is not. Do not lock yourself away when you are lonely and excuse this behaviour by telling people that you like being alone, they are not the same thing.
Do not get into a relationship because you are scared of being alone or because you need validation. Do not tell people that you love them if you do not mean it, do not ever play with someone’s heart like that. Using people for your own entertainment will not make you feel whole.
The people you love will not always love you back. It is going to hurt, it is going to be infuriating, and you will find yourself crying under your blanket and feeling as empty as the bottle of wine by your bed. It will not be easy but please do not blame these people, their emotions are valid too.
Recovery is difficult and it will take a long time before you feel okay again. Some days you will feel overwhelmed by the possibility that you might never get better; this is just your illness talking. Keep going, one day at a time.
Do not hurt someone else because you are hurt. Again, your emotions are valid but so are theirs. There are better ways to deal with your pain.
You do not always have to be strong, some days it will be difficult to get out of bed, some days it will be difficult to eat. Fall apart if you have to, but do not forget to get back up.
Make art, as often as you can and as much as you can. One condition: do not hold on to your sadness or anger just to make it good. It is possible to write good poetry when you are happy.
Never apologise for doing or feeling things that other people do not understand. some days you will feel like you are taking up too much space, like you should apologise for who you are, do not do it.
Traveling is good and healthy but do not use it as a way to run away. You cannot run away from yourself and it will not be pretty when you finally understand this.
Always be honest. Alway say how you feel and what you think as long as it will not damage the person you are saying it to. You like someone? You tell them. You do not like the way someone is treating you? You let them know. Speak your mind, even when it is scary. This world needs more honestly.
Growing up they will never let you be angry, anger is not a “lady-like” emotion after all. Do not listen to them. When you are angry you better feel it, you better show it, you better scream it out.
The best way to get over something is to get through it. When you get shot you have to remove the bullet or it will just cause infection and this poisonous object will never go away. There is no getting better without feeling pain first. This is how you get through it, it is the only way to truly let it go.
Always try to see the beauty in everything. I know that it is difficult some days, but remember that this world is a gorgeous place and you are so lucky to be experiencing it all.
- M.J. (buyingallthestars) first published on https://cheriediamonds.wordpress.com