Dear Digital Diary,
I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you I've turned 21 this year. It's strange, I feel like I was just a teenager yesterday. From traveling, to tragedy and from humbleness to heartache. Looking back I can definitely say that I've grown in so many ways. How about I list 21...
1: Well, I'm Still Not A Complete Adult
Legally, yes, you are old enough to sign contacts and book hotels. However, when it comes to knowing how to establish different insurances and how to deal with different government forms and all that, then I am RUNNING and CRYING to my mother.
2: Never Loose The Child Inside You
Becoming an adult means taking on more responsibilities but that doesn't mean the loss of your enthusiasm or sense of humor. I refuse to think that the fun stops as soon as I turned a certain age. If anything, the adventure has just begun.
3: Drinking Isn't All That!!!
I feel like this is the most OVERRATED THING about turning 21. You're old enough to legally ingest certain substances... Never understood the excitement. Sorry, not sorry.
4: MAKEUP EVERYDAY IS NOT A THING!!!
If I have to get to class or any other place that DOESN'T REQUIRE your face or hair to look pretty then I WILL NOT waste my time. Self image was something that i struggled with A LOT growing up. As time went on I learned to embrace my natural features. I learned to love myself without the use of methods or products. Makeup isn't a bad concept but, when you're late for class, it's time to put the brush down.
5: Try To Learn Something New Everyday
The progression of human society happens with the spread of knowledge and understanding. I strive to learn more things to gain a better understanding of the world I live in. Maybe learn a new instrument or maybe expand your vocabulary. It's never too late to learn something new.
6: Don't Let ONE BAD THING Ruin Your Day
Every time I would have a great day at work or school there would ALWAYS be that ONE THING or that ONE PERSON that would ruin it for me. One Christmas, a couple years ago, I was stressed that my mom's Christmas present wasn't gonna arrive in the mail in time. I sulked in my unfortunate shipping dilemma OVER the happiness of sharing memories with my family. Start focusing on the good rather than the bad in your life. Your view of life will change dramatically.
7: Smile and Try To Say Hello To Everyone You See
Humans are social creatures. Sometimes a smile from someone is just the dose of happiness that a person needs. Everyone has their own struggles in life and sometimes the best remedy to any struggle in life is a smile.
8: Take Care of Your Body
YOU ARE NOT HERCULES! You are not invincible or immortal. You have one body assign to you so do your best to keep yourself in shape. Sure you can have bad habits here and there but it's not necessarily looking good but also FEELING GOOD!
9: Um, Everything IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU!
You live your life everyday focused on things that meet your wants and needs. I had to stop and think about whether those wants and needs touch or hurt other people. There are over 8 BILLION other people that walk this planet with you. Just know that you should be opening doors to benefit the lives of, not only you, but the other 8 billion lives as well. It's not all about you honey.
10: Sometimes, Somethings Are Out of Your Control
Not everything is gonna go according to plan and not everyone is going to listen to you. You can only do what you can with your own living and breathing body. Everyone else in this planet has the right to do what they want and has the right to change their mind at anytime. If something doesn't go your way, you shouldn't feel like you have to go and CHANGE EVERYTHING! Do what you can and say what you will, but at the end of the day the world keeps turning whether you want it to or not.
11: Never Feed Into Negativity
Negativity is like a LEECH. If you are continuing to think, feel and do things that just FEED into negativity then the way you live your life and the way you expect things to go will always feel sad and helpless. Never look at life as everyone gossiping about you or anticipating things to go always go badly. For a while, my mindset was glued on the idea of everything ending badly. As time went on, I started to care less about what people thought about me and thought about the things I CAN do instead of what I couldn't. Still working on this but I definitely have made improvement.
12: Do Not Judge
You're not perfect and neither is that person that you think that is perfect. Everyone has their own struggles they're going through and we all have different ways of coping. To make this lesson short and sweet, I learned that just because something in your life is going one way that doesn't mean that everyone else is undergoing the SAME way of life that you just so happen to be living.
13: The World Owes You NOTHING
This is one that I had to learn the hard way. The world doesn't own you anything and you are not higher than any woman or man on this planet. It's fine to have self confidence but don't let it get to your head. Be grateful for all your successes but stay humble.
14: Don't Be Held By The Rules
Rules are created by humans and sometimes humans don't have the best judgement. In order for the progression of society to happen, and for doors to open towards unbiased opportunities, sometimes is good to debate and move to change the laws that govern us. Rules are meant to be changed from time to time and never stress yourself out about not obeying the smallest of things.
15: Learn To Relax
Stop to smell the roses. I was always that type of person to push myself so hard to where i wouldn't eat, or sleep or do anything that required me to me to sit back for a while. Learn to enjoy living in the moment. Our society is so demanding on having a set path in life of what "you should do". Take the time to enjoy yourself with the people you love and the things you love to do. Life is short. Take in the sunshine, do things that you've ALWAYS wanted to do, and most of all HAVE FUN!
16: You Don't Have To Be Friends, But At Least BE Cordial
There are going to be people that DRIVE YOU UP THE DAMN WALL. People have come and have certainly gone from my life but they are still people. Regardless of how aggravating that person is they are still going through life's trials and tribulations. Continue with your life and they will do the same.
17: Don't Hold Things In
Holding in ANY type of emotion is not healthy. Regardless of how small an emotion is about probably something even smaller that doesn't make your feelings irrelevant. Talk to your friends, take to your family or maybe someone you trust. One of the best therapies out there is simple conversation. Some of the most hardest heartaches can start to be mended by just a few words.
18: Learn From Pain
In the past few years I have had to deal with some very hard situations. Some had put me though such hardship and stress that I would want to face my day-to-day life. The reality is sometimes in life you have to get put through some SH*T in order to grow into a better, strong and more understanding person.
19: Keep In Touch With People You Love and Care For
Throughout your life there will be many people that walk in and out of it. The people that have impacted you the most don't always stay but the people that do are the people you want to keep. I have had many close people go and come but the ones that stay are probably, if not are, the closest people in my life.
20: Relish Every Moment
My friend pasted earlier this past summer and not a day goes by that I don't think about her. I have had family and friend go through different tragedies and battle life-threatening illnesses. It really puts into perspective how precious ans how short life is. Of course, there are responsibilities that need to be met, like work and school, but there is the simple fact that if you're too focused on building your life then you won't have anytime to LIVE it.
21: Believe In Yourself
I have struggled FOR SO LONG to develop thoughts and opinions on things based on my own, individual judgement. For years I was focused on the interest of my family and my friends that I didn't get to ask myself what I wanted. This can be hard and 'till this day I am STILL trying to figure out who I am. What do I want to do? What do I like? What do I believe in? This is something that I have to continuously tell myself. Your life is not lived by others but by YOU and you alone. Remember that.
Thanks for reading that EXTREMELY sappy digital diary. I hope you enjoyed it and maybe thought about different things that I've learned over the past 21 years.
As far as updates, finals week is coming and academic stress has overtaken. Not to worry, writing actually is one of the best therapies for me.
I do plan on vlogging more frequently and I do plan on putting better content out there as time goes on.
Until then, I love you and thank you.
You're beautiful,
Camille
P.S. Yes, I still HATE twirlers...
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