1) If you want a tattoo, get a tattoo. Simple as that. I don't for a minute regret it. Make sure it has a positive meaning behind it, preferably one that can help you when you need it most. Mine reminds me daily of how much strength and bravery I have, as well as everything i have overcome.
2) Figure out the difference between loving someone and being in love with someone. One of the hardest things to do, is ruining a friendship, especially over feelings for each other. When you are still trying to get over someone, it is hard to decipher between feelings you may or may not have for someone you have always cared about your whole life. In my case, I struggled with seeing the difference. I knew I cared for him, but it just took a little to realize I didn't care about him in that way. Lesson to learn- you can't feel something deeper for someone if it just isn't meant to be.
3) Take full advantage of your health and the body that you are given. Spend an absurd amount of time outside hiking, running, walking and anything else you can think of. You'll never know how much you are capable of until you get out there and enjoy the world.
4) We need to take moments just to submerge ourselves in everything God touches. To be swept away by his words dancing in music, or his words only our eyes read. Sometimes we just need to run fast and far to understand the great feelings he has for us.
5) Learn to love, as if you aren't the slightest bit afraid. This couldn't be more true for my life and where I am today. I am constantly reminding myself to not be scared of loving. Even through all of the hurts, all of the wrongs I have experienced, God has never turned his back. Instead of pushing me away, he hugs me so tight, making me feel safe. God shows me through helping out in times of hurt, how to do the same for others.
6) We don't know why some of us get this or that, but we do know to be grateful for what we have now. Whether it's an object, a person or a place others get, we have something they don't. We need to remember that we have what we are supposed to have in our lives now, and to be thankful for this. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
7) Sometimes we just have to. That's it. We just have to in order to move onto where we are going. There is a purpose for why we are experiencing certain things, we may just not know what it is yet.
8) The world often gets jealous; when we don't let ourselves be of the world, it decides to take action. Most of the time we don't even notice it. Just keep doing things that are enjoyable, tracking the moments that make you happy.
9) There is a sense of protection that comes from routine. Break the habits, put yourself out there, and submerge yourself in uncomfortable situations. There is no greater way to find the strength and ability you may have thought you didn't have in the first place. Who knows, you might even find out something completely new about yourself.
10) Go. with. the. flow. Stop planning your future, who you want to be, who you want to be with. Start taking changes on life, and apply for the job you had no idea if you would get. Move to a new city, go out on a week night. Who knows, maybe you'll find yourself sitting with your laptop, writing a new years post, overlooking NYC.
11) One day you will wake up and it just won't hurt that much anymore. Falling out of love is hard. Heartbreak sets you back a few steps, and it takes a lot to finally accept that. I realized this a little later than I would have liked. I took it one day at a time until finally I literally woke up and didn't feel my heart hurting as much. I didn't feel a longing to be with someone anymore, and most of all I actually felt happy again. Who knows why.. all I know is I had finally taken the steps to move on from a harmful relationship.
12) Explore the world with people different from you. It will be life changing. One of my greatest memories is my trip to San Fran with new friends I would never have thought I would love so much. We explored the city, advertising world, and mainly found a little piece of ourselves. It was the trip that I often refer to as having saved my life. Because it totally did. It was awesome.
13) Keep your standards. Guys will always be asking you out, trying to sweet talk you and no matter how far into your "relationship" you are, they will try to go there. If you don't want to, listen closely- don't. It's as simple as that. The right guy will accept that about you, won't pressure you everyday to, and most importantly will be willing to wait for you. It's the wrong guys that will make you feel bad for it. Don't even think twice about those guys, so not worth your time.
14) Go out as much as you can in your twenties with your best friends. My last semester of college was by far the best semester I had! I spent it surrounded by the best girl and guy friends; people who constantly had my back. We were always there for each other, laughing and spend the time doing whatever we wanted. Whether it was going to our favorite bar, floating the river, two dollar margs or hanging out at the apartment, time was never wasted. We were able to realize that life is really about enjoying every minute you can.