30 things I’ve learned
1. Life is freaking short! If you want to do something, do it. Always live like it’s your last day on earth, because you never know when that day is. For us cancer survivors, we get that. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, and you don’t either. Live while you can. Respect your health and that you’re alive, unfortunately not everyone does.
2. Family is everything. Spend as much time with them as possible. And your mom ALWAYS knows best. If I listened to my mom about all of the inadequate boyfriends and friends I have had in the past, I would have avoided a lot of disappointment. What your mom thinks is always right! And she will talk shit to your face too, which is the absolute best.
3. You are a product of your environment. Keep your circle small, you become like the main people that you surround yourself with, and you’re guilty by association. Don’t ever forget that. I sometimes forget that, and have to keep reminding mysel
4. You HAVE TO learn to separate your real friends from your party friends. Keep a distance with the party friends. If you’re ok with people being “temporary friends”, then don’t stress about the above. But if you genuinely want these people in your life and think that they help you grow and make you better, keep them around. I’ve learned recently that the party friend phase is just a phase (a big phase for me when I was in isolation from chemo and then went into remission) and I am way too grown for that, and you probably are too
5. Your friends that you grew up with know you better than anyone else. My best friends from college, high school, and even 8 years ago when I moved to Miami can always sense what’s going on before I even speak. I don’t even have to say a word, because they always know what’s going on, and they get me. They know me. They get everything. These are your people. Don’t ever forget them or lose touch with them.
6. We all have that one friend who you sometimes think is being a bitch, but she’s actually being real as f*ck and telling you everything you don’t want to hear, but it’s true. I appreciate that. She’ll say things to your face, not behind your back. I lived with this friend for years when I first moved to Miami. Listen to her.
7. Your guy friends are always real with you. Listen to them. 99% of the time they are right as well, and they have no problem telling you the shit that you don’t want to hear.
8. Make time for what’s important. Don’t use having little time as an excuse. If something or someone is important to you, you will make time. We think that we have all of the time in the world, but we don’t.
9. Don’t take things personally. Not everyone has the same heart as you, and values friendships and relationships the same way that you do. Don’t take it to heart, just take notes. Use it as information.
10. When bad things happen, you’ll realize who your true friends are. When I was diagnosed with cancer, my real friends supported me like no other. Then there were a few that would only contact me to “go out” when I was in remission. Hi, where were you when I was puking, my hair was falling out, and I was about to die in the hospital? That’s what I thought, I don’t hate you, but I just don’t care about you so goodnight.
11. No one is going to fully understand what you’re going through unless they have personally been through it themselves, whether it be cancer, a divorce, a family death, etc. This is something that you have to understand and accept. For example, cancer changes your world. Chemo is hard, fighting for your life is hard, but remission is an effing rollercoaster shit show. My friends with cancer get it, they’ve experienced it. They get that you become more emotional and get upset easier. They get every milestone that you go through. People who haven’t been through it just won’t get it. Period. Don’t expect them to and don’t let it hurt your feelings. You just have to learn to let things that bother you go, and move on. Even if it takes a few days!
12. God will never give you more than you can handle, ever. If he brought you to it, he will bring you through it.
13. If you’re not happy with your life, change it.
14. If you don’t like where you live, move. You’re not a tree.
15. If you hate your job, quit it. My best friend just quit her job because she wants to change careers. That takes a hell of a lot of courage!
16. If you want to be treated like a lady, then act like one. Who respects a woman and who wants to buy the whole cow when they’re getting the milk for free?
17. Ladies, if you want to get attention, don’t use social media to pose half naked. You’re going to attract the completely wrong type of people. These people don’t respect you, and you clearly don’t respect yourself. Looks fade. Find something else to attract attention..like your personality or good heart! Or maybe get a hobby.
18. You can’t expect someone to love you, unless you actually love yourself first. Otherwise, you will keep attracting people that don’t love you.
19. You need to learn how to be alone and like your own company. Otherwise, you’ll end up jumping from one unhealthy relationship to the next.
20. Thoughts become things. Be careful how you talk to yourself when no one is around, that shit radiates to the universe!
21. There is a reason for every single person that enters your life. Some are lessons and some are blessings. You need the lessons and the blessings!
22. Always, always, always raise a red flag in your mind for the girl that sleeps around like it’s nothing. And the girl that claims she “only gets along with guys” and has very few female friends. Both of those are major red flags. Facts.
23. After every storm comes a rainbow, always, always, always.
24. Your friends that are older know more than you. Take their advice. Always. They’ve been there and done that. All-of-my-friends-from-work. All.
25. Say yes to things, even if they make you feel scared. Go out of your comfort zone.
26. Travel, as much as you can, as far as you can, while you still can.
27. Don’t go simply for looks, because they fade. Someone’s personality and heart is everything. It’s all that really matters.
28. Life is too short to settle. With friendships, relationships, a boring life. Live!
29. Money isn’t everything and at the end of the day, money means nothing if you aren’t happy.
30. Always stay humble and kind. People might not remember what you said, but they will always remember how you feel.
