26 Things I learned ..

26 Things I learned At Age 26

1. Embrace Yourself: Learn to embrace who you are. What you are made of . Appreciate your personality , what you feel about things, your values, your disciplines, your roots. Don't feel sorry for yourself. No need to let people believe you are in a vulnerable state. Not everyone has your best interest in their mind and will make you feel bad about it. Imitation is suicide. If people say you have changed, well you did. You are a grown person, adult , working and living and contributing to the community and your views have changed based on influences of people living around you. Nothing to be sorry for. Just be yourself and true people will love you for it.
2. People change. Live with it. You can't do anything about it. You are not the same person you were as a kid then you can't expect others to do so either. Times and situations cause people to change and that's OK. That's part of nature and it's in our best interest to deal with it. The best friend you had as a kid may be not in your wavelength of thinking as time goes so you will make new friends. 
3. You are the not center of the universe. You can't expect everyone to move their schedule according to yours. Stop changing things at the last minute. If people can't make it, they can't. We all have different schedules, different priorities in life. 
4. Stop worrying about what people think. People think lots of things. We can't stop them from thinking. If they are mean to you or play dirty games, they will pay for it eventually. Just worry about yourself . If you live according to what people think, you will be just living their life or living a lie. 
5. You should have 5 friends with 5 different personalities. Why? Because you will get different perspective of living your life from them. You may not agree with them but at least you are prepared to tackle situations with people who think that way.You will also enjoy life more because there will always be one friend who wants to tell you the harsh truth, agony aunty/uncle, friend who makes you smile when you are not up for it, the mom friend [ they make soup when you are sick], the tomboy friend who tells you how guys are because they think they are a "dude".
6. Learn to understand implied feelings - People do what they do for a reason. They say what they say for a reason. Don't attack people about it. They may be in a vulnerable situation or not comfortable to say so they use other methods to tell you what they feel.I have met people who just say things not realizing what they have made other people feel. 
7. Be there for people. Be reliable: Lend a hand. Volunteer in soup kitchen. Be an advisor. Be resourceful but just know who's worth your time. 
8. Be true to yourself. Stop saying what you don't really mean.You will not feel good later. If you are not comfortable being honest, don't say anything. 
9. Date yourself: Take yourself out to dinner. Nothing weird about it. In this century if people have problems with you eating alone, they are in wrong century. It's ok. Just get a glass of wine and do what you enjoy doing by yourself . 
10. Love someone? Tell them. It is a beautiful feeling.I know it's a hard and there is a fear of rejection. Take it slow but tell them. They will appreciate it if you are honest about it. It is part of life and it is not a crime. If it is meant to be, it will work out. If not today, you would end up meeting tomorrow in some random town in the middle of nowhere and you will have to face the truth and tell them the truth that you love them.  
11. Be Brave. It's the hardest thing to do but it's the smartest and proudest thing to do. When you are brave, people will personally wish they were you or had the same courage you have. Being brave doesn't mean you have to be the descendant of some warrior but if you care enough to risk your life, that's enough to be a hero to someone even though you don't anticipate to be. 
12. Don't believe rumors.Rumors aren't true. They are always from people who wish they were you or someone they envy. Don't spread any either. Once the word is out, it's out. You can't put the toothpaste back into the tube and same logic works with rumors. You can't take back what you said
13. Spend your money carefully Just because you are rich doesn't mean throw it off to anything. Buy things that have class and are durable. Such kind of people are hard to find. I don't mean don't spend it at all or spend on meaningless things just to save money. Just spend where you KNOW it's worth the money.
14. Stop giving strangers unsolicited advice: Everyone has a different life. Not everyone cares about your advise and not everyone is mature enough to filter out what's not needed and take what works for them. Just stay on guard.
15. Don't follow trends. Apparently people think that what's in is what works for them. We all have different personalities and different tastes. If not following trend makes you ostracized, I rather be ostracized and be myself than follow the trend like a robot.
16. Devil Wears Prada: Some people have lives like the movie Devil Wears Prada where boss makes them feel bad. Boss doesn't know who you are and you could have their job some day .. You are surviving a battle and being a champion at it.. and there are ample amount of people who got your back. 
17. People come and go. Those who matter will stay . Don't get worked up about these things. These are just things to increase blood pressure, anger, anxiety and feelings of disgust. Those are stay with you for life and fight for living with you are your true loves. They will understand you, support you, and hit you across your head to remind you to get real. 
18. Don't cling to your past - Don't cling to your past. In life we all go through situations and meet different people and I say they served their purpose and left. Emotional grudges just ruin relationships. You aren't required to be friends with them but just keep a professional level relationship with them. Who knows when you have to work with them in your life.
19. You can't keep everyone happy -  You can't make everyone happy. Just do what you are here to do. Everyone has their purpose in life. 
20. Flourish your talent - Don't let your talents die out. Keep it going. It's a gift and it's should be used to the best of its ability. 
21. Dress Classy - cut with the nonsense of funkiness. You are an adult now and I understand the need to dress like a high school kid but you are in the real world now and people watch how you carry yourself and people show a lot of respect for people who dress properly without their properties hanging out. 
22. Respect all vocations - Your dignity and status won't go down if you respect your janitor in your hallway. It only will increase your value. \
23. Record Your Life - Write down your feelings. People who write down their feelings unload their worries and also have memories. 
24. Don't Compare yourself to others - You are best at being you. Moreover, life is not what people post on instagram. You wish you were enjoying a trip at Grand Canyon with your friend but you don't know other things your friend is doing or going through in life.
25. Don't underestimate your enemy and never share your strategies with your enemy - Ya own it buddy!  we all have those people we can't stand or are just toxic for our lives. They just hurt us and I am not saying take revenge. I am saying keep your communication with them to a minimum but also don't forget what the Godfather said -" keep friends close but enemies closer" . Don't underestimate what your enemies can do but also keep an eye on their strategies so you also know how to stand up to their actions. 
26. Don't set life plans based on your age - we are slaves to our situations. We can't plan things like when we marry, when we have kids, when we will retire. These things are part of life and will come when they have to and let them come as they do. If we get worried over things like this, we are also facing disappointment because it didn't happen as we thought. Life will throw lemons at us and we have to learn to catch and make lemonade out of it.