25 on 25: Here's The 25 Lessons That I Live By Through These Years

Guess who's turning 25 (or turned 25, whatever time you're reading this) tomorrow?!

I honestly don't know how to start this blog. Usually, my past birthday blogs are mostly talking about how I celebrated my birthday. Last year, there's no blog but I made sure to document it through a vlog. This year will be quite different since I will be celebrating alone and on quarantine.

However, I don't want to dwell about having my birthday alone since I made sure that I have something to look forward to like buying some balloons to decorate the apartment (this is the first time in years that I'll be celebrating here) and I ordered everything that I want to eat online (with some food gifts like the pizza and lasagna from tito). What matters for me is everyone is safe and I don't wanna risk getting any virus after isolating myself for 60+ days already!

But I guess, I'm still entitled to feel things and be sad knowing that my family won't be with me on my special day. I promise that next year, I will definitely have a party with everyone I love (I still don't like having my own party so this will mostly be a really intimate gathering lol).

Anyway, since it's my birthday (tomorrow as of this writing), I guess the least that I can do is share 25 lessons I learned over the years that I existed. There are more than 25 lessons that I live by but this would be a really long blog if I shared them all so 25 would suffice. To make this long intro short, here we go:

1. Life doesn't revolve around you. Acknowledge that there are other people all over the world and you just a small dot in this universe. 

2. It's okay to be sad, disappointed, or angry but don't let it consume you. Feel the emotions, sleep, wake up, and fight again.

3. Count 1 to 10 before arguing. If you feel that small issue is not worth fighting for with your loved ones, let it go.

4. Never deprive yourself of eating what you want. Just do it moderately. Life is too short, so eat that doughnut! (this is what my papa always told me before lol)

5. Never compromise your beliefs. Just because something is on-trend, it doesn't mean that you have to join the bandwagon unless you really like it.

6. Always be true to yourself. Always know what you want and don't conform to the norms of this world.

7. Imitation is the best form of flattery. 

8. Fight for what you believe in and what makes you happy. Sometimes, you have to go through a lot of challenges to truly get your heart's desires. It will be worth it.

9. Never be afraid to be ambitious. It will make you hungry to be successful. Just don't forget to keep your feet on the ground.

10. Never step on anyone just to reach your goals. Victory is sweet and meaningful when you know that you did it the right way.

11. Do not be afraid to ask. Ask anything. It's free.

12. My mom always tells me that I should never be shy as long as I know that what I'm doing or asking for is right and needed. 

13. Always pay your debt. If possible, never have a debt or borrow money on anyone. 

14. Keep in mind that QUALITY is always better than QUANTITY especially with friends.

15. Never settle for less.

16. Do not lower your standards for anyone. It doesn't matter if they call you "maarte" or picky. What's important is that you know that you always prioritize quality.

17. Being classy is not something that you can force. It comes naturally.

18. Never ever stop learning. It is never too late to start learning something new again.

19. If you want to achieve or have something, go get it. Work for it. Earn it.

20. Don't let anyone tell you that you cannot do it. Make it your motivation to achieve your goals.

21. Competition is all over the world. You cannot avoid or ignore it. But always remember, your number one competitor is yourself and your mind.

22. It's okay not to be 101% okay all the time. It's okay to cry and feel weak. What matters is how you will get up the next day and face the challenges ahead.

23. Never be afraid to commit mistakes. Just make sure to learn from it and don't do it again. 

24. Smile. Never forget to smile whether you're alone or with others. It simply brightens a person's mood.

25. Life is too short not to enjoy it. Do not take it for granted. It may be cliche but we all have to live our lives to the fullest.

I hope that these lessons that I learned in my life can help you too no matter what your age is. If there's one thing that this pandemic taught us, it's making sure that we don't take things for granted again. Let me leave you with the greatest lesson that this life has taught me:

Always appreciate the small things in life. No matter how small it is, always be grateful because when you start to appreciate the small things, your heart will be filled with gratitude, love, and contentment.

Stay safe to everyone and till my next blog!