For me and for you, Keep on!

X. Self-care and Resilience. The relationship you have with yourself is the most complicated one because you can’t walk away from you. You have to forgive every mistake and deal with every flaw. You have to find a way to love you even if you are disgusted with you. If I had to go back and re-live my life, I’d do most things differently. One thing about being independent at a young age without guidance is that you’ll probably make tonnes of mistakes and regrettable choices along the way. Sometimes, those regrets can be paralysing.

Restlessness and discontentment will plague your mind during the slow hours of the night and you'll feel helpless. The world is not fair, it never was. It doesn’t owe you anything. The world will keep on going, people will keep on going despite your anxiety, unhappiness and pain. You owe it to yourself to dig yourself out of the grave of unhappiness you’ve buried yourself in. You owe it to yourself to hope and to act for a better future.

Smile at the sun, smile at the rain, the world hasn’t ended. You need to let go of the things which makes you unhappy and burdened. You owe that to yourself too. Sometimes, happiness is just within your arm’s reach. Reach for it.

Take time to reflect on what’s happening and what has happened. Self-reflection will allow you to see things from different perspectives. Open your mind to other’s own journeys and take what you can learn from them. Know your own mind. Don’t let anyone pressure you from making an important decision if you’re not ready to make them. Don't make the decisions you know you’ll regret. Ask guidance if you need it.

Take a break, don’t overwork yourself. Those problems will still be there tomorrow. When you rest your mind and body, you’ll have a clearer perspective and probably a solution. Eat healthy and take care of your body. You’ll feel better mentally if you feel confident and happy with your physical self.

You want tattoos and piercings? Be sure and go for it. Choose your design and artist wisely and stay sober when you do them. You want a dog? A cat or a rat? A houseful of plants and books? Go get them. Work hard and buy those which makes you happy. Who said happiness can't be bought?

Get insurance while you’re young. Save money. Foresight is better than hindsight. Plan ahead, know where you want to be in a few years. Want to change your career? Go ahead. Enrol in that short course you’ve always wanted or that master degree you’ve always planned. Get new skills, they’ll be your ticket to new opportunities.

Travel. Travel with your family, partner or your friends. Work out a schedule, a destination and stick to them. Make memories. Planning and paying for your travel might be stressful but the happiness that comes with travelling is priceless. Most importantly, try travelling alone. You’ll learn more about yourself, your fears and limitations and you’ll find ways to overcome them.

Life is full of possibilities, that’s what makes it beautiful. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Create your own luck. No one is going to save you from hopelessness and despair. You’ve got to work for your own happiness. Then and then, you can be happy for other people and be happy with them.

XI. Relationships. As you grow older, you'll find yourself busy with your studies, career or family. The friends you made in your childhood, school days and previous jobs may stay or may go. You'll probably miss most birthdays, engagements and reunions but try not to miss those events which matter.

Know who matters in your life, value and appreciate them. What best way to value them than to make time for them. Check on them, chat with them, make plans to go out for dinner or an outing and stick with those plans.

What is worse than having lost someone dear? It's having deep, heart-wrenching regrets. Life, no matter how valuable, is fleeting. You think you have all the time in the world until you have none. Take all the chances you have right now and make the best out of them. An embarrassing embrace or declarations of love and loyalty with an actual living person is more meaningful than a beautiful eulogy. People will come and go. What matters is you've done your best.

XII. Vices, Boys and Sex. Alcohol, smoke and drugs. You’re young, you’ll probably be curious about them at one point. When your parents said they're bad for you, they probably meant anything done in excess can ruin your mind and body. And they're right. When you're young, impulses will rule you. You'll feel invincible, damn the consequences. It can be the other way around for other people who lack the confidence to do anything out of their comfort zone. They'll be safe within their boundaries but they'll look out their windows and wonder what fun they're missing out on.

Except for one, I’ve always made bad and regrettable decisions when it came to romantic relationships. I’ll probably still make them in the future. I’ve learnt some painful lessons and sometimes, they haunt me. I’ve always had to find a way to live with them.

Never take people for granted. Never let them take you for granted. Know your boundaries and love freely. Your first boyfriend or girlfriend will not probably be the one you’ll end up with but you’re lucky if they are.

The one. The elusive one. Some people live their life without ever knowing and feeling the happiness that comes from a nurturing, loving relationship. Some people are lucky to have them on the first try. Some people are courageous, taking the dive at every chance on offer. You’ll probably get hurt. Your self-esteem may take a dive. It’ll be up to you to decide who’s worth it.

Responsible sex. One of the best things in life when done right. Don’t let your prudish great aunt tell you otherwise. If you choose to save yourself for marriage, I fully support you. If you want to explore your sexuality, go ahead when you’re legal and ready. Have sex with a person you’re comfortable with. Don’t let yourself get pressured into it. Say no, say yes. Educate yourself, don’t be dumb. Communicate what you want, communicate your boundaries. Give as much as you get. Run far away in the opposite direction if you’re uncomfortable.

I won’t tell you to follow your heart or your mind. I’ve always done the things which felt right to me and they weren’t always the best choices. Make the decisions that you think you won’t regret. Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment but don’t let your logical mind diminish your passion for life.