What I’d Tell My 20 Year Old Self

Be kind to everyone.

You don’t know what others are going through. They might be having a bad day.

You’re stronger than you think.

Give yourself more credit than you do.

Listen to the voice in your head.

Don’t confuse it for the voices of society.

Take care of your body.

You only have one.

The world isn’t fair.

Sometimes you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s life.

Love without shame.

Fall in love with people and things.

Learn to forgive.

You may never forget, but you can forgive. Do it for your own sake and sanity.

Confront your demons.

You have to face your fears. You can’t live the rest of your life scared to death.

Embrace failure and rejection.

You will learn more from screwing up than from success.

You aren’t always right.

It’s OK to be wrong.

You are not defined by your past.

Likewise, your past doesn’t dictate your future. Your present doesn’t either.

You will get better.

Your situation will improve. Nothing lasts forever. You may not feel fine right now, but one day you will.

20 Things I Learned In 20 Years

I’ve learned a lot of lessons in twenty years.

1.   People suck.
2.   Forgiving is hard.
3.   Give before you get.
4.   I’m not alone.
5.   Comparing is unfair.
6.   Wounds heal.
7.   Timing counts.
8.   Regret nothing.
9.   Life goes on.
10.   Do not envy.
11.   Things happen for a reason.
12.   People come and go.
13.   Friends are important.
14.   Mental health matters.
15.   Appreciate art.
16.   Be kind to strangers.
17.   Do what makes me happy.
18.   How to say no.
19.   Stay true to who I am.
20.   Love myself.

General Resolutions 2016

Are you tired of these resolutions posts yet? This may or may not be the last one you’ll get from me in 2016.

Without further ado…

• Stand more
• Sleep more
• Stretch more

On a more serious note…

• Dance more

Okay I’ll be serious now…

• Be kinder
• Learn a new skill
• Travel outside of Toronto

Make full use of those extra 24 hours.

Don’t take no for an answer. Don’t settle for less.

You can do this. Show 2016 who’s boss!

Confusing Cruelty For Kindness And Confusing Kindness For Cruelty

Sometimes, I confuse cruelty for kindness. Or vice-versa.

More often than not though, I think others mistake my kind cruelty as actual cruelty. I apologize for my horrible ability to crack bad puns whenever the occasion arises rather than choosing to compliment insincerely.

To the people I tease, kudos to you for putting up with it.

Anyone confident enough to make jokes around me, congratulations courageous one.

Please don’t take everything I say personally.

Kind cruelty, as I like to call it, is how I deal with social situations.

Don’t even get me started when I am genuinely being kind yet someone thinks I’m cruel. My sarcastic nature probably doesn’t help matters.

A Little Bit Of Kindness Would Make The World A Better Place

A friend…an acquaintance…let’s try this again. Two false starts. Third time’s the charm. Speaking in short, clipped fragments is fun.

A guy once told me stating the obvious was futile. Well, I’ve never been one to listen and follow people’s advice. You know I am a rebel in the making.

I didn’t think it would hurt to state the obvious. Especially when the obvious (being kind) is hard to come by these days. Now don’t get all insulted or offended. I just think everyone needs a friendly reminder, some more than others. After all, a little bit of kindness would make the world a better place. If you are a kind, selfless person—good for you. If you aren’t then get it together already.

Kindness never harmed a soul. Nor should you.