I'm on the downhill slope of my senior year, and although I wouldn't consider myself "wise" here are some things I learned along the way. In the midst of all my stress I want to leave you all (and by all, I mean all 5 of you who even knows my blog exists) with some humbling advice. I understand that not everyone is going to relate to what i'm saying, which is why i'm mainly directing this towards high school girls. BUT HEY, would you believe it if I said I AM A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL!??
So here we go, I hope this list helps you to NOT make the mistakes that I did! Or if you feel like making the same mistakes I did, go ahead! You WILL turn out just fine! Either way,
17 THINGS I LEARNED BY AGE 17, OR 17 WAYS TO SURVIVE THE TEENAGE YEARS!
1. No one is as cool as they seem on instagram. No one has said it better than Alexa Chung when she wrote, "Girls, remember that the right filter can be fantastically flattering and she probably doesn't look that good in real life." Often times only the good parts are put on social media for everyone to see. I often find myself needing this reassurance when comparing myself to other gorgeous girls on the gram, just remember; no one has it as good as they make it seem!
2. Stop thinking that being "depressed" is cool. Yes depression is a real thing, asking for attention, aka stating how sad you are via your spam is not. Don't let tumblr make you think that being sad is glamorous.
3. BE HAPPY FOR OTHERS. This is one of the most important things we can learn! I know its hard, and jealousy is soo real, and sometimes life's not fair. But be happy anyways.
4. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, If you like something, and that something interests you.. GO AFTER THAT SOMETHING!
5. Dress to impress! Look good feel good amirite?!! Always look good, you never know who your going to run into. (Sweats and Leggings are DEF okay tho some days) I totally understand the struggle of picking out a cute outfit the night before, and waking up too cold and tired to even attempt putting it on.
6. When your a freshman/sophomore DON'T fall for that junior/senior boy. JUST DON'T. They only want one thing, don't be naive.
7. Make good choices! Being the nice, innocent girl is so much more attractive than the fast, experienced girl. DON'T GIVE INTO PEER PRESSURE, SAVE YOUR VIRGINITY FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE. Drinking and Smoking isn't as "cool" as you may think. Someday you WILL grow up and think "why did I do that?" "why was I like that?" and have a lot of regrets.
8. Never Judge. I will admit this is something I struggle with, but i'm working on it. Always remember that everyone is always going through something. Opening your arms to everyone is so important, whether you have been in their shoes or not, it's a pure and genuine way of walking through life.
9. Be nice to everyone, EVERYONE! Say "please" and "thank you" when needed. Say "Hi" to strangers, smile back at that girl in the grocery store instead of looking away, GIVE BACK! It will make you feel good in the long run. I promise being the nice girl is so much more attractive than the shallow girl.
10. Always look on the bright side of things, not everything is always going to go your way. We all have bad days! Just keeping a positive mindset will make all the difference.
11. Choose good genuine people to be your friends - In, AND Out of "your circle." You can never have too many friends in this life. Quite often, friends come and go; but the memories that you'll share with them will last a lifetime. Plus life's too short to have friends who won't tell you when your makeup isn't all the way blended.
12. It's cool to have opinions, and it's cool to know what's going on in the world. But its NOT cool to try and degrade others for having an opinion other than yours. Your NOT edgy and different because every time your on twitter you jump into a fight about Donald Trump... your in high school. YES I SAID IT.
13. Eat whatever you want! Your too young to worry about your weight or what your gonna look like in that bikini! Hell, eat the whole roll of those oreo's girl!
14. You are NOT defined by the amount of likes you get on instagram. Being a "public figure" is complete bullsh*t, nor are they any better than you! DO NOT EVER REGRET POSTING A HELLA CUTE PIC, and not getting the amount of likes you wanted on it.
15. Go out of your way to make others feel good! Yes! Tell that girl you like her outfit! Tell her that her butt looks good in those leggings! There's nothing wrong with hyping others up and making them feel good about themselves!
16. KARMA IS REAL, forgive those who do you wrong. I promise what comes around goes around (no matter how long it seems to take.)
And Lastly...
17. DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. GO OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. EMBARRASS YOURSELF, BUT HAVE FUN. Who cares what others think? In a few years your not going to see half of these people anyway. In the years ahead you are going to look back and wish you did the things you didn't have the confidence to do at the time. & Nothing is worse than regretting the things you can't change.
xoxo, Kendra