10 things i’ve learned this year:
1. you cannot control your thoughts and even if sharing your feelings might hurt someone, do it anyway. they deserve to know what you really think, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about the truth.
2. you are going to hurt people at some point in your life, no matter how much you try to do the right thing and make everyone happy.
3. don’t let the pain that you cause define you. maybe you made a mistake; this doesn’t mean you are a mistake.
4. don’t let the pain that you feel define you, either. there is always some kind of hope, something to laugh about, a reason to be happy. it’s okay to be sad, but don’t let yourself become blinded by the sadness, or you’ll never see the beauty in life (or yourself).
5. don’t let the pain you feel be the source of the pain you cause. i am not saying to cover up with a smile and pretend nothing is wrong. let people know that you’re sad, but know that it’s not contagious.
6. humans are always looking for a reason to be sad. it’s like we have an unconscious desire to feel bad, because we just want to feel something. you don’t have to look for the same pain as everyone else. in fact, i think if you start looking for something to be happy about, your eyes will be open to a whole new world.
7. you’re going to get stuck on people - some who don’t even notice how hard it is for you to let go, how your hands were somehow drenched in superglue before you grabbed onto theirs. but there’s a solution to unstick superglue, and you don’t have to wait for someone else to use it. you don’t have to wait for another person to come along, only to attach yourself to them, too. you don’t have to be attached to anyone.
8. fall in love with yourself. it isn’t weird and it isn’t egotistical. just notice the little things about yourself that someone who is in love with you would notice - the dimple in your left cheek when you smile without teeth, the way you see beauty in everything, how you’ll go out of your way to drive down your favorite road, the way you take in every aspect of a new setting with wonder.
9. your expectations for yourself ultimately determine how well you actually do. never underestimate yourself. if you recognize your capabilities, and you think you can do something, and you expect yourself to do that thing, then you will work for it and you will end up achieving it.
10. it is okay to take your time. on everything. if you don’t want to kiss him yet, tell him. if you don’t think that poem is done yet, keep writing, for another month if you have to. if you don’t think you’re ready for that test yet, keep studying, or even ask for help. in the end, the kiss will be worth the wait, the poem will be damn good, and your teacher will be proud of you (so will you).
jacobvanloon
theartofmadeline
areudirty
yousharknotpass
izzy806
titsay
