21 Powerful Truths I Learned About Life By 21
By Maria Binas
1. You can never please everyone
People aren’t always aware of what happens behind closed doors yet are quick to judge at the slightest peak they get at someone else’s life. Stop caring so much about what other people think about you. They’ll always have something to say. You will never be truly happy if you care more about what others think of you than being genuinely yourself.
2. The heart wants what it wants
But it doesn’t mean that you should be a fool who always follows the heart without listening to the mind either. Follow your heart but make sure that your mind tags along with it.
3. Choose your battles
Some wars aren’t worth fighting for. Some people will wage wars with you but choose the ones worth fighting for: be it a friend, a family member, a lover, or a job position you really want. We are all one decision away from a different life or a different set of regrets.
Learn the art of knowing when to hold on and when to let go. Remember that there’s a thin line between taking pride in being not giving up and self-respect. We are all soldiers who are fighting for the things and the people we want so choose your battles wisely.
4. Be confident
Self-love can sometimes take years to learn for some people. But as you learn more about yourself, you will discover that you’re not as bad as you think and that you’re actually an amazing being who is capable of doing and achieving many things in life. Put a little faith in yourself!
In the topic of body image, beauty comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes so rock that cute bikini, girl! And be the smart woman that you are and NEVER dumb yourself down for someone. Don’t get depressed about other people’s negative opinion about you. Take it as a challenge to better yourself instead! Be confident in your own skin and you will find that you’re very much capable of achieving your big dreams.
5. Be strong
Life is unfair. It is harsh and unjust. It always has been and always will be. It will bring you deluge and disasters and watch you as you fall and struggle with it. But persevere and keep pushing through no matter how tough this life can be. Be brave and stand up for yourself. For at the end of the day, you’re all you’ve got. I promise you, IT WILL ALL GET BETTER.
6. Drink plenty of water especially in the morning
I don’t know how to clearly explain the science behind how healthy this practice is but just trust me and drink a glass of water on an empty stomach every morning for a month. Not only will it help clear your skin but your organs will thank you as well.
7. Coconut oil makes an excellent make-up remover
Plus, it’s paraben-free, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic (maybe), alcohol-free, and made with all-natural ingredients.
8. Not everyone is going to be nice. Be nice anyway.
Don’t be the person who hurt you. What those people have done to you is a reflection of who they are and not because of who you are. Don’t measure your worth on how other people treat you. This world needs more kind, loving, caring, and genuinely nice people. Stay gentle no matter how cruel this world may be.
9. It’s okay to make mistakes. Learn from it.
Failed to pass your exams? Chose the wrong career path? Said some harsh things to a friend? We all make mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Making mistakes is what makes us human. It’s how we learn as we grow. Life’s not about how perfect we do things for we aren’t perfect ourselves and so we’re bound to make some slips and blunders every now and then. Embrace your faults and flaws instead and learn from them so that you don’t fall into making the same mistakes twice.
10. Don’t find the time, MAKE time
Missing a friend? A lover? Or a family member? If they’re far, call them and let them know! If they live a few train stops away, make some arrangements and go see them. Don’t just text them you miss them and not make effort in actually seeing them. That’s just cruel. No one is ever too busy for the things and the people that matter to them. Yes, life can get busy but it’s not 24/7 busy for 365 days of the year, is it? It’s a lie when someone says they’re too busy to see you or simply have a quick lunch with you. If they really do miss you, they will adjust their schedule just to see you. Simple as that.
Also, don’t put off doing things you’ve always wanted to do just because you’re: too busy with school, university, or work; don’t have enough money; no friends to go on adventures with, or you’re simply just full of excuses. Go travel if you want to travel and discover the world. Go scuba diving or paragliding or any extreme sport that could potentially kill you. School and university have breaks in between and you’re allowed to have a leave from work. If you have little money, make do with budget airlines and accommodation. There are also lots of promotions out there, you just got to find them. Just go and live life to the fullest before you’re too old to have the energy to try new things. If you don’t make time to do something you’ve always wanted to do, you’ll end up always holding it off and never finding the time to do it.
11. The right people will come at the right time
There is no such thing as “right person at the wrong time.” It just means that the right one is yet to come. And once they come into your life, they will move mountains and cross oceans just to stay with you. Have the patience to wait. If those who left are the right people, they will make efforts to come back to your life and prove to you that they actually want to be in it. Some people will come and stay for a little while in our lives but forever in our hearts. Take the lesson they bring.
Oh, and while you’re in the process of waiting, don’t surround yourself with a bad company just because it’s lonely to be alone.
12. Don’t feel bad about saying “NO”
Don’t go on dates that do not excite you just to be polite. Don’t agree to do someone a favour that will be too inconvenient for you. Don’t feel bad about rejecting people because if they get used to you being their “yes” person, some will take advantage of you.
13. Trust your gut
Everyone has a strong instinct but we always choose to ignore what it tells us because we’re very generous creatures who give way too many chances. But trust your gut. It will tell you if a person can be trusted or not. It will also open your eyes to the all the wrongs that others do to you. Above all, it will tell you if the path you’re going through is not for you.
14. Stop chasing happiness
Be happy now. Don’t rely on other people for happiness either. Find it within yourself. If you keep looking for happiness, you will never find it as you would always think that it is something that the future holds. Live in the now and be contented but never settle! Learn to love yourself and your life and you’ll find happiness in the little things.
15. Be on time!
It’s a sign of respect. Learn to manage your time and organize things ahead. Remember that everyone is busy and being late without a valid reason means that you’re not respecting their time.
16. Your family will always be there for you
No matter how much you upset or disappoint your family, their love is unconditional. They’ll go through every obstacle and problems with you, help you fight your own demons, help you heal, and help you reach your full potential. Your family will serve as a pillar of support for you so love them and cherish them always.
17. Don’t be afraid to be the person who loves more
Love is not a competition of who cares less. It’s either you love the person or you don’t. Two people can love at the same time but most often never in the same degree. There will always be someone who loves the other more. But let me tell you if you’re the latter: It’s more fulfilling to be the one who loves more for if things don’t work out, you’ll have fewer regrets about thinking that maybe you could’ve done something better because you did everything right.
18. Rejection is a part of life
If you don’t get rejected, it’s either: (a) you’re an extremely lucky/hard-working/capable/experienced person; or (b) you didn’t apply for anything.
The world is one big competition of who gets what. Be resilient and put yourself out there. Get rejected many times but don’t let it discourage you. You will get what’s always been meant for you if you work hard enough and you persevere.
19. You must learn to love yourself first before you can completely love others
Otherwise, you will not be able to fully and sincerely love other people.
20. Stop chasing people
The ones who want to stay will make efforts to stay. The ones who don’t will go no matter how much you beg them or try to keep them. Save your dignity and yourself from all the trouble. Begging someone to stay in your life is useless. It will only make them stay a little while longer but they will still leave. Why beg someone to stay with you anyway? Would you want someone to be physically there but mentally and emotionally absent? I surely wouldn’t. Besides, letting someone go means making space for someone better in the future who might actually stay with you for good.
21. Take good care of your mental health
Your mental health is just as important as your physical and spiritual health. Take a break from whatever it is that’s stressing you out. Go for a walk, have a quick brunch with your friends, play with your pet for a bit, or just simply do something you think is relaxing like listening to music or doing some breathing exercises. Don’t neglect your mental health just because it’s not something so tangible that you can see because believe me, it is something that you will feel.