Well, today is my birthday and I'm turning the boring ol' age of nineteen. I don't particularly celebrate my birthday but being the nostalgic person I am, I looked back at my life and came up with a few things I've learned over the years - here are the first nineteen that popped into my head. They're simple and probably very specific to me, but I hope you enjoy...
- Drink lots of water. Your body, skin and mind will thank you.
- Smile at strangers, especially in academic situations. Even if it doesn't lead to conversation, people will still think that you are a nice, friendly person. Don't, however, smile because someone tells you to.
- Get a skincare routine.
- Two ways to feel easily refreshed are to cut your hair or buy new clothes. You are allowed to treat yourself to these every once in a while.
- Panic attacks and anxiety are real life things. More people have them than you think. More people will understand you than you think.
- To quote the overused but still profound quote from The Perks of Being a Wallflower: "We accept the love we think we deserve."
- You love, appreciate, and get on with your family more when you move away from home.
- Speaking of, moving away from home to go to university is one of the best things to ever happen to you.
- So is starting that fashion and beauty blog you've been dreaming about for years.
- Being a music snob is not admirable and there is literally no point to it.
- You will find those people who "get you" eventually.
- Don't touch your eyebrows until you are educated enough. Just don't do it. Don't.
- If someone gets your name wrong, correct them immediately.
- You need to treasure the people who will tell you their deepest secrets.
- Stop making yourself so small. Stop apologising to people who don't deserve your time and effort.
- Not liking to get drunk doesn't make you a boring person.
- You will have more bad days than good days for a long, long time. Don't give up. You are able to push yourself, albeit gradually, towards the other end of the spectrum.
- Naps are not childish, they are essential.
- Exercise. Get over your hatred for it and get moving. You will feel so much better about everything once you've sweated it out.
