18 things I learned in 2018

As the year comes to an end, everything I have been through in the past 12 months flashes through my mind like movie or dream-like scenes. This year truly was hectic. I lost family members and friends to horrible diseases, I lost friends in general, ended up in hospital for what was the scariest week of my life, had my first breakup, got into my first fight with girls outside of my group and found out I have polycystic ovaries. But I also had some great times this year as well, I had my first kiss, had a great sweet 16^th, made a bunch of new friends who I love with my whole heart, got my L’s, learned how to open up and trust people again, did really well in school, taught myself piano, and learned how to be a better person. This past year was both the best and worst year of my life. And it taught me the following things:

1.     People who you never thought would turn on you, will. That’s life. It’s okay, save your energy and move forward, you don’t want those kind of people in your life anyways.

2.     If you love something or someone - set it free, if it’s meant to be it will come back to you. I never used to believe in this but this year has truly taught me that its true. Sometimes we want something so badly that it blurs our judgement. Let it go, and if it is meant for you it will come back to you. (two of my close friends also made me believe this one is true, you cuties know who you are)

3.     Everything happens for a reason. This was another one I never believed in, but it’s true. Maybe at the time it seems like the worst possible thing, but in the long run you will see, it leads to new paths. (for example, right before I was in hospital I felt really alone and isolated, and I felt like everyone secretly hated me, but when I was in hospital and everyone came to visit me, I felt so loved and appreciated. Ever since then I’ve been more positive thinking and that entire experienced completely changed me for the better)

4.     Everyone has their own opinions and that’s OKAY.

5.     Trust your gut instinct, it’s there for a reason and its never wrong.

6.     Kind of links back to 5, but don’t ignore red flags when entering into a new friendship or relationship, those red flags will ultimately be the reason it doesn’t work out.

7.     Always stand up for yourself, don’t let people push you around or tell you how to live your life.

8.     If a friendship/relationship becomes toxic, you need to end it. Even if that person is your best friend. If you are both constantly hurting each other it’s time to call it quits. Even though sometimes letting that person go is the last thing you want to do, you need to do it to protect each other’s mental health. I would rather see them happy without me than sad with me.

9.     Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm - defend your friends, but don’t defend people who wouldn’t do the same for you.

10.  Don’t make assumptions, if you have a feeling something is wrong, or if someone has posted a shady snap or something, ask that person if you’ve done something to upset them or if the post is about you instead of assuming it is and spending days worrying / ranting about it.

11.  Not everyone is going to like you, that’s okay.

12.  Not everyone is going to be happy for you when you succeed. Don’t take this as a personal attack they just have things going on in their own life that makes them unhappy or jealous.

13.  It’s okay to stop running away, it’s okay to let down walls and let people get close to you, it’s okay to be vulnerable because the right people are worth it.

14.  If something is wrong with you physically - GET HELP. Everything seems fine until you end up passed out on the bathroom floor at 3am surrounded by blood in your crying mum’s arms while an ambulance is on its way. (also if something is wrong with you mentally you should also get help, never ever be ashamed to ask for help, it doesn’t make you weak it makes you strong.)

15.  The road to Success is exactly that, a road. It doesn’t just come overnight; it takes months or even years to achieve your goals. Celebrate the small milestones while on the path to your main goal.

16.  Learned how to be alone without feeling lonely. I only seriously spoke to 2 boys this entire year, one at the beginning and one at the end (like spoke as in dated/ ‘tuned’ I guess you could call it?) and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. In the middle months I learned how to be comfortable when I’m alone.

17.   Don’t be jealous of other people’s successes, what’s meant for you will be yours and what’s meant for them will be theirs.

Before I say the last lesson I learned this year, I would just like to thank these specific people for constantly having my back this year and for always being there for me no matter what. Georgia, Jasmine, Carla, Melita, Emilija, Anissa, Alina, and Claudine. You guys have been my rocks this year, without you I would have been falling apart a long time ago. Thank you for always supporting me, listening to me and including me. Also thanks to Andre, Lara, Katerina, Dion, Casey, Mel V and Mel D, Eric, Emmanuel, Suhayb and even *surprisingly* Majd. You guys are pretty amazing as well <3.

So finally, the last thing I learned this year

18.   We are all in the Labyrinth called life, just trying to figure out our way through. There are always going to be dead ends, wrong turns, allies and enemies made, sometimes we might even have to completely start again - but in the end we are all stuck in the same maze just on different paths, so when you come across a special moment or person, cherish it with all your heart, because eventually it will get lost in the labyrinth. And that’s okay, because nothing in this life is permanent, so love fully, love blindly and love kindly… while you still can.  

Until next time 

- Mikala