LIFESTYLE: Things I didn't know at 15.

Fifteen.

It's such a confusing age. You think you're all grown-up but you still need someone to take care of you. You want to do everything; everything you see in the movies, everything your friends are doing, everything anyone talks about. But it isn't easy. There are rules and there are curfews and you simply don't have the freedom you think you need. 

At least that's how I felt.

I know that some of my followers are around that age where you're between being a teenager and taking your first few steps into the adult world, so, here are some things I want to tell you, and some I wish someone had told me. 

1. You will make life-long friends, but you don't have to make them now.

In school, I was surrounded by the idea that I would be stuck with the people I'd met there forever. How many times have people told you that these are your best years and you will build amazing and strong friendships based upon mutual trust? 

Honestly, maybe you will. 

But it's okay if you don't. I came out of school with only one friend and my life turned out pretty great. The people you meet there don't have to be your only hope; not when you're still so young, so don't force yourself to start friendships if you don't think they are meant to happen. 

2. You don't have to be in a relationship.

I know all your friends have boyfriends and all your friends' boyfriends' friends have girlfriends, and you feel lonely. But there's nothing wrong with being single. I wish I could have known this then because it would have made my life so much easier. It sure is great to have a boyfriend now but only as I've grown up have I realised that being romantically involved with someone doesn't have to complete me.

You can complete yourself. 

As Taylor Swift once said, in your life you'll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team. Which brings me to my next point.

3. Love what you love. 

Bullying can be a horrible part of growing up, but most people don't realise that someone doesn't have to say downright mean words to be classified as a bully. So many times during school, people gave me weird looks when I told them Taylor Swift was my favourite person and it used to make me feel so inferior to everyone around me. I wrote all my essays on her (where appropriate, of course) and idolised her like no other, mainly because I saw her as the big sister I never had. I preferred to spend time listening to music and talking to my (online) friends who I had met because of her while people my age were at parties, and that was okay with me. But it wasn't okay with other people. 

There will be name calling and there will always be someone who thinks what you're doing is wrong but stick to it. That's all you can do.

Once again, it turned out that I made the right decision by sticking to my gut and doing what I loved instead of what was "normal" because fast-forward 3 years and Taylor invites me and my friends personally to spend time with her backstage. 

Life is funny like that.

4. Don't be mean.

This one is pretty simple.

I was so mean to so many people for no reason at all, and if I could tell one thing to my school self, it would be this:

Don't be mean.

Don't be mean to other girls; they are not the enemy.

Don't be mean to your parents.

Don't be mean to yourself.

Don't do it. 

5. Things will change.
Last but not least, I wish I could've told myself, and every other 15 year old out there, that things will change. Things I thought would haunt me forever don't even have an effect on me anymore and I honestly hope that everyone experiences that feeling of being free.
In the past 4 years, so many things have changed in my life. I'm at university. I have friends that I love. I have a boyfriend who loves me more than I can put into words. I have a little sister-- what! I never could've imagined any of that. 
Things happen and life goes on, and everything eventually changes. Just enjoy the little moments.

I hope you guys liked this post, let me know in the comments if you have any advice for fifteen.

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