Inspiring words

28 Life Lessons You'll Hopefully Learn By 28

By Mary Elizabeth Francisco

1. You need to follow your heart. I know this is some sort of a cliché bullshit we hear all the time: when we're making a tough decision, when we're choosing the perfect outfit for a night out, even when we're ordering a meal at McDonald's ~ follow your heart. But it's true. You need to follow your heart, because you are the only person who can tell if something makes you happy or not. At this age, how you feel about certain things is more important than how people would feel about them.

2. Love is worth taking a risk for. I know you think love is overrated and all that stuff. But listen up: Love is a beautiful thing. You may have had your heart broken a few times over the years, but please, never get tired of falling in love. It's always worth taking a risk for. But what if you get hurt again? Well, that's pretty much better than not having to love at all.

3. You only need a few real friends in your life. And I'm not saying you ditch all your friends and just choose favorites. It's not like that at all. The thing is, as we grow older, we realize that the quality of a relationship is more important than having a bajillion friends on Facebook who do not even care about you.

4. Do not self-diagnose. I know, I know. Google has most of the answers we often look for. There are times when, instead of seek actual help from a professional, we find answers through Google. And then, we freak out. For all you know, you're worrying about nothing. So, chill the F up and go to the doctor. Which brings us to...

5. Take care of your health. Like, really. You are almost done with your 20s. You cannot keep on eating trash like you used to when you were 18. Things are different now. You need to learn how to take care of yourself, because in the long run, it's you who will benefit from all of it.

6. Be patient. Life is not going to happen to you overnight. You need to work hard for something that you really want. Remember: everything that is difficult is always worth having.

7. Be optimistic, but not too much. Optimism is, most of the time, the key to succeeding. Because when you are positive about something, there is a big chance that you will succeed. Be positive, but do not be overconfident. Sometimes, when things we are too optimistic about do not happen, we just get hurt and get discouraged.

8. Humility is key. Always be humble in every aspect of your life. Sure, it feels good to brag to your friends about your new car, or to never lose an argument with anyone because you're so proud and just cannot take being humble for once. But what is in it for you, really? You do not get prettier or richer just by winning an argument. Always remember that relationships are more important than any material things you have.

9. You should not depend your happiness on anything or anyone. You are beautiful, and you are in this world for a reason. You do not need validation from anyone, nor should you feel more important only if you have a car or some fancy jewelry. You should know that you are beautiful even without anyone having to say it.

10. You get treated how you teach others to treat you. Just as the saying goes: Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you. Always be kind to the people around you. Learn how to spread love and kindness, so the world gives it back to you.

11. Learn how to forgive. This is applicable not only for other people, but for yourself as well. You need to learn how to forgive yourself, so you can move forward with your life. Do not go so long with so much hatred in your heart, because it will only weigh you down, and it will be so difficult to face a new day everyday thinking that you still have resentment bottled up within you. Live and let live.

12. Accept the things you cannot change. In life, sometimes, there are certain things that will make us go kind of crazy, but we cannot change. There are a lot of things you will encounter that you cannot control. What you can do is you just have to get over it eventually. It could be difficult most of the time, but we need to accept that certain things are best left as they are. We just need to have faith and trust that things will fall into place at the right time.