10 Important Things I’ve Learned As I Turn 23

1. You only need one person to believe in you and that is yourself.
You have to build that confidence that you can do anything you want to do, even if everyone is saying you can’t. Don’t be afraid of failing, you will have more regrets not doing things you’ve always wanted than actually doing these things and failing. After all, its your dream and not theirs; so bring yourself together and tell yourself that “I can”.

2. You cannot always get what you want.
There are situations in your head that you wish you were in; people you wish you are and places you wish you’ve been but life do not give you all of these things. Remember that God only gives you the things that you need and not all the things that you want. If you can’t get it, it means your life is far better off without it. So stop clinging to these wants or else all the frustrations will pile up and will consume your life.

3. People always have unrealistic expectations of you, don’t try to satisfy them.
You don’t have to seek validation or approval from other people. It will just wear you out, will pressure you, and will affect your self-worth and happiness. Whatever you do, there will always be something they would say; so better do the things that you want.

4. Don’t chase people.
The people you meet belong to certain seasons of your life. They’re not meant to stay and they will eventually go when that season is over and  they have served their purpose. Clinging to them and holding on to them when it’s already their time to leave is emotionally draining, it will make you question your self-worth and value. It will also hinder your growth and everything life has in store for you. God will always place the people you need in your life, never too late, never too early. You don’t need to do anything but trust him.

5. Success does not happen overnight. Be patient with yourself.
Just like diamonds which need great time and extreme pressure to be molded and to shine. You also need to undergo hardships and you also need to trust time to give you that moment to sparkle. You’ve got big dreams, which would also mean you have to do big actions. Don’t hurry; remember you’re in the process of getting it.

6. Love is not based on emotions, it’s always a choice.
As much as you enjoy your favorite chocolate, there will come a time when it will taste different and will not give you the same happiness you once experienced. Much like love, there will come a time that you won’t get the same feeling you had in the beginning of the relationship. Emotions fade, feelings changes because you yourself also changes. As you grow older, you will discover that there is always something/someone better than what you have. You’ll chase the better one and eventually feelings will die down again. It’s a cycle. And it would always be your choice if you will continue to chase the better ones or work with what you have.

7. The world is not only flowers and butterflies.
It is not as good as how you see things when you’re young. It is not as sweet as how it’s pictured in fairy tales. It also has a dark side, people and events that will make you fall and stumble throughout your life. People will hurt you, things will not turn out the way you expect them too. Be ready of all the jagged roads life has in store for you but don’t opt yourself from dreaming.

8. You are not special; the world will continue to move regardless of what you’re going through.
The world won’t care, people lives will continue. Even if you fall and stop living, it would only take seconds of their lives but would not make a big impact on them. You will only be a part of a memory, somebody they used to know. So when life knocks you down, you have to force yourself to get up and continue living or else you will be left behind.

9. People treat you the way you allow them to treat you.
You are capable of enforcing things and stopping things that you don’t want. You teach people on how you should be treated by the way you allow them to speak to you, by the way you allow them to touch you, by the way you allow them to depend on you. You’re the one responsible on setting out the boundaries and you’re the one responsible in establishing the respect you want to receive.

10. Things will eventually get better in the end, if it’s not yet better, then it is still not the end.
Your current situation will never be your final destination, it’s temporary and will change over time. God puts difficult seasons in your life to yield something better in you. It may not be the situation you are expecting to come but undoubtedly there will be something better out of it. Remember, you are still in the process.