I turn 21 tomorrow and I have learnt a few things in my time on this earth. Here are 21 lessons I have learnt over they years
1) Music is your best friend- Music can completely change your mood. Whenever you are happy a upbeat tune can take your happiness to a whole new level, in a mood stick a song to suit your mood
2) People will dislike just because- You can be friendly, open, sweet, confident, people will dislike you for no other reason other than they just don't like you. I have met people who just don't like me even though i have done nothing to them or their friends. I have made very little enemies in my time but there are always going to people who just don't get you. You can't please everyone, don't try, it's to much effort.
3) The Mean Girl act wears thin- Whatever about school politics, when you are 20 you won't care about the girl who was rude to you at 14, most likely she was to up her own behind because she was good at sport, music, whatever, and you know what, big deal, believe me at nearly 21 I know my who my friends are and they are the opinions I care about.
4) Being a bitch does not get Popularity- This is the biggest misconception that we see in movies. The popular girls are pure bitches, Not True. You become popular because people find you nice, approachable and sweet, among other things such as funny and caring. Noone is going to like the catty bitch in the corner who is always making fun of others. It gives off bad vibes and no one wants to surround themselves with bitches full of negativity. Being Nice and approachable will get you so much further.
5) You need to be able to back up your ego- Britney Spears once sang confidence is a must, cockiness is a plus and I believe in the right person this is 100% true. A little cockiness is alright if you have a mix of smarts, looks and a car! You need to be able to show why you think your the shit. A good looking guy who is sporty and has good brains can get away with being a little bit cocky, but someone who is downright average in every aspect, get back in your box. Never go full on arrogant thought, no one want's an asshole!
6) Being gracious is so much better though- Cockiness can be a little attractive but someone who is gracious will always come out on top. Think about it this way, why do we praise Beyonce on the regular, because she is all these amazing things but she would never say it. Now think of Kanye West, he would completely say he is the shit. I have learnt that people will always like when you play yourself down, even though you think you are the business!
7) Close People Will Hurt You- I learnt this lesson last summer. People who you are so close to you will turn on you. In this situation I actually did nothing but they had pressed the self destruct button hard and verbally abused me and it annoyed me more than anything because I had done nothing and they said things trying to be so cruel. People will hurt you if they feel like it and you just have to say "Fuck You!" and move on.
8) Knowing yourself helps you move on- When I was verbally abused and attacked I just sat there because I knew they were not true and that made me not get upset at the potentially upsetting things being said to me. I knew myself and that they were spouting shit. Once you know who you are life gets so much easier and flipping that finger is done much easier and is a lot more fun to do!
9) Not everyone is like you- You will have things better than some people and some will constantly try drag you down because you didn't have to fight and struggle for everything. Remember though you will have had to work for it and when you do you can smile knowing those naysayers are just jelous
10) It's better to arrive late than ugly- I cannot stress this enough ladies, even when you feel like Lindsay Lohan, Bring out your inner beyonce and make the effort to look good at all times, you will feel so much better. If it's work, college or just going shopping. Pop on a bit of makeup and a nice outfit and you will feel better, and who cares if you're late. You're human!
11) You do not need to be drunk to have a good time- I know I sound like an old fart but it is true. I did not drink until I was 20, only last May, Before hand it was for medical reasons, but you have no idea how many funny looks I got from people over the years when I say "I don't drink", finding an 18 person who doesn't drink in Ireland is like finding a gym head in a McDonalds, a rare breed! However I had great nights, unreal laughs with my frinds pure sober, it can be done people!
12) Pour Your Own Drink- I cannot stress this enough! Some people do not know your limits and you may get pure wasted far too soon. Also it's sloppy to get so drunk so soon
13) Know When enough is Enough: Your judgment can get clouded and we all do stupid things when we are under the influence, just remember, you go to a club, and that guy at the bar looks like Jeremy Clarkson but if over the course of the night he starts to look like James Franco, You know enough is enough!
14) Education is invaluable- I am a firm believer that knowledge is power and the more qualifications you arm yourself with the easier your life will be. Your education is the one thing no one can really take away from you and what you know is invaluable.
15)Two Wrongs don't Make a Right: It has taken me a long time to learn that getting revenge is not the way to go. It's human nature someone hurts you, you want to hurt them, but it doesn't solve anything. It just brings you down to the twats level, it can be hard but rise above it, the high road really is best.
16) Reading People will get you further than anything: I cannot tell you how helpful being able to read people is. I am very lucky that I have been good at reading people and I am usually spot on about people. I have always credited this ability as my greatest skill. I am not very sporty or academic but I find this skill invaluable. I always say to people who may not be that good at reading people, get a person who is and listen to them.
17) Dance Like Noones Watching- Not giving a crap when you are on the club dancefloor leads to a great night out. That is what youth is all about, having fun and enjoying yourself before all the years of bills, mortgages, and 9-5 kick in
18) Nights in are all Good Too- I love going out with my friends but there are times where there is nothing better than chilling in watching back to back Big Bang Theory or binge watching Arrested Development. You need to give yourself a break especially when you are a student. Also some people like staying in and watching their favorite shows, if this is you, you are normal!
19) Never feel bad for Success- There will always be the people who are ready to knock you when you get to the top. Either making a comment on you Leaving Cert Points, Joking about the relevance of your degree or making jibes about how you spend your money. Let me tell you one thing. Anyone happy with what they have will not knock others achievement. You may have gotten 380 points in you Leaving Cert and someone who got more than you makes a snide comment. They are probably pissed they did not get what they wanted, and that is their problem. Also people are very quick to knock how you spend your cash, I remember saying how I spent a certain amount at the races and someone made a dig about me using "Daddys Money" even though I used my own wages on the day, screw them, my father always told me never to be ashamed of success and he is completely right.
20) Loyalty is the ultimate virtue- You can have all the money, Great Looks, amazing sense of humor and charm to boot but if you are not loyal to the ones who care about you, all of that means nothing. The fact that someones has always got your back gives you that extra boost of confidence. It is so important and you will learn a hard lesson if you are not loyal. I have had people in my life in the past who are not loyal and let me tell you I feel angry that I gave time and energy to them when they did not have my back.
21) You will Need to Learn all of these Yourself- No one can live your life for you. We are given this gift of life and we all mess up from time to time but we learn. You can read this and take it however you choose. I have been told some of these lessons before but they are all just words until you live it and now I have learned all these lessons because Shit happens and I chose to deal with things in my own way and now I choose to share these things because life can be hard at times but as you get older you learn that 70% of what people do and say to you is irrlevent.
Thank You for Reading and remember to go wild, travel the world, kiss a stranger and enjoy the gift of life Here are to more lessons learned and more fun as well!
