25 Lessons from 25

 
What I've learned and re-learned in the past year:

1.  Nothing will make you feel better than doing the work.
This really seems too late in life to be learning this! Haha. But, I've finally learned that moving on from one task to the next is seriously fulfilling. Some things in life are not meant to be done by multitasking so you have to lay out the time.


 
2.  Always wash your hands.
Because germs!

This is more of a lesson from clerkship and not really from being 25, but anyway...


3.  Apologize even if you don't expect forgiveness in return.
That person is probably waiting for an apology and will secret forgive you a little bit after you've apologized. Make your peace and move on (I mean really move on). And on that note:


4.  Don't hold grudges.
They will make you ugly!


5.  Follow your heart when it comes to career.
Not always the best advice when it comes to relationships, but I think this is a good time in the world to go for it and be who you want to be. It's like there is a niche for every kind of person out there now and you can be successful as long as you are passionate and smart about it.


6.  You don't have to talk about it.
Some issues are better put to rest and the best way to do that is to not talk about it. In other words, don't go posting about it on facebook. 'Wag ka nang magparinig!

Some people will still want to talk about the issue, so let them. You don't have to respond. Let them have their go at it and get it out of their system. They'll lose steam eventually.


7.  Use concealer.
And learn how to use it right.


8.  Don't go to bed without washing off your makeup.
And don't say you'll wash it off in the morning anyway. Try using a makeup remover.


9.  Hair grows back.
And it grows back in funny directions when you cut it short. You might have to keep cutting.


10.  Go home empty handed.
There is nothing like the feeling of satisfaction when you come home with nothing after a day of window-shopping and realize you didn't need any of that stuff anyway.


11.  Don't put your cellphone in the same pocket as your keys.
Don't put anything with a glass screen in the same pocket as your keys. HUHUHUHU 


12.  Getting pity from others only makes you feel bad if you are actually pitying yourself, too.
Am I right on this? Think about it.


13.  There is more than one way to accomplish something.
So you had a dream but life didn't turn out quite the way you planned it. That's too bad. Sit down, go back to the drawing board and think about what you can do about it. Sometimes the situation calls for a change of approach rather than a change of goal. Don't quit on it just yet.

 
14.  Google for some laughs.
The internet is seriously funny and it's a good place to run to when you are having one of those days. Cracking up over Buzzfeed and 9gag lists or cute babies giggling on YouTube can make the big difference between getting a good night's sleep or waking up in the morning with some sad-looking puffy eyes.

Do not watch wedding videos! Iiyakan mo lang yan.


15.  Food tastes better fresh.
Though I can't say I've tasted all the food in the world...


16.  There is a lesson in everything.
Keep your eyes open. Sometimes the lesson is so obscure to us because of the hurt or defeat we feel at the moment, but I really think the tough stuff you face now will always have some purpose to you in the future. You just have to hang in there and wait for it to unfold.


17.  Hug.
It's a great non-verbal way of putting out love into the world.


18.  Want it more than you are afraid of it.
This includes getting past your fear of shame. Think about how important this thing is to you and just get it done. One step at a time.


19.  Neutralize bitchiness.
I can't tell you how helpful this has been to me in the hospital, at restaurants, and in various other social situations. Be nice even if you don't think the other person deserves it. You can always give that annoying waitress a piece of your mind, but remember that she can just as easily spit in your food. Haha just kidding! Or am I? How much can you really benefit from antagonizing someone?

In case you haven't been watching Game of Thrones, the key to survival is to make allies, not enemies.


20.  Love is not enough.
Love should be perfect on some philosophical level but, unfortunately, the people tasked with loving are not. The people you love (who love you in return) will not always help you grow, bring out the best in you, help you live a full life, and other such noble aspirations. Sometimes the opposite happens. I hope you recognize the toxic relationships in your life. I hope you leave when you can. And if you can't, then I hope you don't confuse the dysfunction of your relationship for a lack of love. Sometimes people with the most love to give can still be the worst to have in your life. Don't cling to love too much.


21.  Always say please and thank you.
Even for the smallest of things.



22.  Salad is good!
If you disagree, I feel like you just haven't found the right salad for you.


 
23. Don't stay downstream of air conditioning or an electric fan with a coughing/sneezing person before you.
Unless you intend on getting sick.


24.  Everything takes practice.
That includes getting through the tough times, being nice to difficult people, and not pitying yourself. Don't beat yourself up when you're not handling things as well as you wish you could be. Give yourself time to work at it and do better the next time. I guarantee there will be plenty of next times!


25.  25 is a long list.
This took forever to put together. It's not even my birthday anymore. I am not making a 26 list next year.

XO