This is it! My 100th post! After three and a half years it has finally happened, but even though that is absolutely amazing there is something that kind of concerns me. I am writing this post during some of my last moments of being a teenager, damn. Being 19 was amazing, but the fact that I'm turning 20 tomorrow feels well, a bit terrifying. So, to calm myself I decided to write 20 things 19 year old me wants future me to remember during her 20's, let's just hope I listen to at least 4 of these things, because after all, I am a very stubborn person.
1. Read books
I know that most of the time you don't feel like reading and that'd you'd rather scroll through Instagram and Tumblr, but it is healthy to just lay down for a few minutes and enjoy reading a book. You'll thank yourself for it.
2. Focus on the positive
Life isn't always as bad as it seems, there is always a bit of good in something bad. Just remember the quote "there is peace even in the storm", it's good to live your life by it.
3. Call your friends more often
These people are your own chosen family, but if you don't keep in contact with them, you will lose them in a blink of an eye. Call them, see them, travel just to give them a hug, it's always worth it.
4. Enjoy the moment
Sometimes, you rush from thing to thing, but always remember to take a deep breath, look around you, and just take in all the wonders that surround you. A memory is better than a picture on Instagram.
5. Spend more time with your family
They are people who will always love no matter what, and more than you will ever know. Listen to them, take their advice into mind, and always take care of them, because you truly are going to miss them one day.
6. Change is always acceptable
No matter how you were yesterday or what you thought, you can always change that. People grow, they learn and thus, they change. So, keep growing & learning, and always strive for better and new things, you're worth it.
7. Save up money
Please. You're so bad at it, but please try. It's always nice to buy yourself that one shirt that is a bit too expensive but you adore it, or go on an unplanned roadtrip in the middle of the week.
8. Work on yourself
And never stop. You are the most important person in your life, so if you don't work on yourself, who will?
9. Get that tattoo & cut your hair
If you like it, get it. Maybe, just maybe, try and put some meaning into it. After all, that piece of art is going to be in your skin forever, so make it worth it. And for the hair - it will grow back someday. It will recover, just as you will.
10. Take care of yourself
You will thank yourself for it. If you don't feel like going out, don't. Stay in, make yourself a nice cup of tea, open up a chocolate and watch that new TV show that you've been wanting to watch for months.
11. Work out & eat healthy
Yes, you lazy ass. At least once a week. If nothing else, the 60 year old Paula will thank us for this.
12. Do art, please
It is so important to do things that bring you joy. It can even be a stupid little sketch, doesn't have to be a huge painting. Just keep creating, keep drawing, taking photos, painting.. everything! It puts your soul at ease.
13. Travel
Please, fill up the map that you've had on your wall for years now. Nothing feels better than putting a new pin into it.
14. Disconnect for a bit
It is healthy, and you really need it sometimes. Turn off your phone, put away your laptop. Go for a walk, meet up with an old friend. Your mind and mental health will thank you.
15. Pay more attention
Because you can never go back to a certain moment. Try and remember what your friend said she wanted and get her that for her birthday, remember the dress you wore to that one night out, enjoy the meal you're having, and always look up, the skies and the stars are so beautiful sometimes.
16. Try new things
Try new food, experiment with your hair, wear that shirt that has been sitting in your closet for years. You never know what the outcome might be.
17. Chin up & straighten you back
If nothing else, you'll look better in pictures. Plus, your back might not hurt as much.
18. Journal
I know you suck at it, but it is so nice to look back at certain moments and emotions you might've forgotten you've experienced. And you always keep things such as tickets, it's a nice place to put them all together.
19. Listen to that song that you love so much
And never care what other people might think of it. If you like it, do it. Just, be you.
20. Love you, for you
Always, and forever. Because you are all you truly have, so read all of this again, remember your traits, and your faults. Never keep growing. And just enjoy life while you still can.
love always,
paula avalon xo
