This post is a little bit different from my other posts, but I just wanted to share a few life lessons that I’ve learned over the past year.

1. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is struggling. So be kind, because you never know what someone is going through.
2. Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. Not taking care of yourself helps nobody.
3. Never ever live with someone you have feelings for. With the exception of marriage. When things go wrong, it’s miserable – you can’t get away from it. And yes I know this makes me sound jaded, and people will disagree with me on this one, but it’s a lesson that I learned the hard way.
4. Breathe. Specifically “square breathing.” In for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, breathe normally for 2. Repeat. It helps more than you think it will.
5. Mistakes happen. Don’t beat yourself up for them. Just try to do better next time.
6. Always be the sun. Never be a planet orbiting around someone else. You exist for so many reasons- your sole purpose in life should never be to make someone else happy.
7. You cannot be everything for everyone.
8. Find a hobby- something that you do purely because it makes you happy.
9. Perfection does not automatically equal good. I repeat, you do not have to be perfect to be good.
10. No matter how awful you feel, you will always get through it. The sun will continue to rise, and eventually you will be okay.
11. Don’t be afraid to let go.
12. Your real support system will be there when you least expect it. When it feels like everything else is crashing down.
13. When in doubt, pet a dog. Seriously, my dog has gotten me through so many anxious days.

I really don’t mean to come across as preachy here, but as I was going to bed I was thinking about all of the things that I had learned recently and wanted to share. Hopefully, reading this will resonate with someone, and maybe even help them. Anyway, I’m actually going to bed now. Goodnight, Internet.

–X