16 Things All 16 Year-olds Should Know

As my 17th birthday is quickly approaching, I've been reflecting on the last year and how much its changed me. Mostly for the better, I think- I've learned a lot, gotten some amazing opportunities, grown up, met some incredible people, and am a little closer to figuring out where the rest of my life is headed. These are a couple things that became a little clearer this year.

1. Not everyone is going to like you.

For whatever reason, this is really hard for me to accept. It hurts to know that due to no circumstances under my control there are people who just don't like me. I know this is cliche, but its cliche for a reason: what people think of you has less to do with you and more to do with them. 

2. Yes, sleeping less than 7 hours a night DOES make a difference.

Sometimes this is unavoidable, but most nights if you really try you can get at least 7 hours of shuteye. I promise you'll feel better, look better, and your mood will be SO much better. 

3. Its okay to try something new and decide you don't like it.

This year I wanted to try being more outgoing and try to be more comfortable and bubbly around people I don't know that well. Although this is a great way to make new friends and let new people get to know you, I ended up feeling a little fake and decided to just stop. I tried it though, that's the important thing!

4. Avoiding people who have negative effects on you isn't mean.

Sometimes I feel bad for swerving people who annoy me, who I know don't like me, who I have some uncomfortable history with. I've figured out that sure, it's not the nicest thing ever, but since they do have some negative effect on me it's in my best interest to just cut them out.

5. If you're thinking about saying or doing something, and you're not sure if you'll regret it, you probably shouldn't do it.

Although sometimes you probably will wish that you spoke up or you stood up for something, most of the time you are going to end up regretting the decisions you thought you would regret. Easy fix- just don't do them. 

6. Nothing will seem as scary or dangerous once you do it. 

This could mean learning to drive, telling people how you feel, going somewhere new, doing something alone, or absolutely anything else. The cool thing is that once you get it over with, you realize that there was no point of you being scared.

7. The difference between success and failure could be a matter of hours. 

For me this is a reminder that just a few more hours of studying could mean a 5 instead of a 4 on my AP Art History exam, a few more hours of organizing could mean a less stressful week, a few fewer hours of Youtube or Netflix could mean a few more hours of sleep. Be willing to make sacrifices for just a few hours that can help you in the long run.

8. People won't remember you for what you didn't do.

No one cares about the party you didn't go to, the people you weren't friends with, etc. You'll be remembered for all the things you did do, so make them count!

9. If you're feeling mad, upset, or any type of emotion and you're responding via email, just wait. 

Sit on it a few hours and see if you still want to do it. You can always write out an email or text, save it, and look at it again the next day and make some edits. 

10. You should stay out of other people's business.

One thing you will NEVER regret doing is staying out of other people's business. No matter how much you want it to concern you or you think someone needs to know about it, it's not your place. 

11. Having a creative outlet is the best way to calm down. 

I use this blog as a way to channel all my ideas, which can get a little chaotic at times, into one place where I can see them all connecting. It makes everything a little less hectic- I really recommend it. I just ordered the things to start a bullet journal and I've heard that's a great outlet too!

12. Being confident doesn't mean being self-centered!!!!

Sometimes we second guess ourselves because we don't want to seem like we think so highly of ourselves- well, guess what. You SHOULD think highly of yourself, and not care about what others think about it.

13. Taking time in your appearance doesn't make you vain. 

If I'm ever feeling like a bad day is inevitable, I like to sit down in the morning and take time picking out a killer outfit and doing my hair and makeup. There's something about knowing that you look good that makes you feel good too- and anything that will make you feel good is worth doing. 

14. Routines aren't boring.

They're healthy! My morning routine is simple (definitely a post coming up!) so there's still plenty of room for variation, but it's founded on good habits so I'm never hit with anything I'm not ready for in the morning. 

15. It's cooler if you have something that no one else has than if you try to catch up with them.

Whether it's the new Adidas Ultra Boosts, a NorthFace backpack, the iPhone X- there's always going to be something that someone else has that you convince yourself you 'need' in order for you to be cool. You don't need it. You will be okay. I promise. 

16. Everything is going to be fine.

This last one is something that I know I will never fully be able to accept. I'm a worrier! And I'm okay with that, to a point. Worrying can drive me to do great things that I wouldn't be able to do if I didn't care so much. But I'm also an irrational worrier, and I've realized that worrying about something bad happening has never stopped it from happening. What happens, happens. Although things will seem big and daunting in the moment, once they actually happen you'll see that everything is still okay. 

I love all of you beautiful people who read all the way through this post, and all of you that have been reading since I was 15!!! Thanks for sticking around and here's to another killer year.