18: Milestones & Lessons for all.

Inked Butterfly
3 min readFeb 21, 2024

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Well, guess what? I’ve officially hit the big 1–8! But don’t worry, I’m not your typical teenage girl who’s all about throwing the most extravagant 18th birthday bash just to celebrate the fact that I’ve managed to survive for 18 years.

For me, age has always been just a number, and milestone birthdays are just another excuse to have a good time.

But there’s something about turning 18 that’s given me this unfathomable feeling. Is it nostalgia creeping in? Maybe a hint of newfound responsibilities? Or perhaps it’s the looming transition to adulthood? Honestly, I’m not entirely sure.

But one thing I do know for certain — I’m more than ready to be taken seriously by the adults around me. Whether that actually happens is another story, but a girl can dream, right?

So, why do we call it a milestone anyway?

Because it’s like a pit stop on the rollercoaster ride of life — a chance to look back at the twists and turns, the highs and lows, and appreciate how far we’ve come.

In light of hitting this milestone age, I decided to take a stroll down memory lane to reflect on the journey that has shaped me into the person I am today. And let me tell you, it was quite the rollercoaster ride — a mix of laughter, tears, few drops of nostalgia (turned out to be a downpour) and plenty of “Did I really do that?” moments. But hey, that’s all part of the adventure of growing up, isn’t it?

❤18 honorary reflections from my 18 blissful years ❤

1.The only one who’s going to be with you forever is yourself.

2. Quit succumbing to peer pressure; instead, apply pressure on yourself for growth.

3. The rule-breakers often make it big.

— This is something uncomfortable to admit. I’ve always been the good, smart kid who was the teacher’s favorite. My peers who were considered “misfits” are now thriving.

— Everyone has their own journey and timing, but blindly following societal ideals will never lead you anywhere.

— Don’t lose yourself while trying to fit into labels. So, it’s completely fine to discreetly learn the stock market during a psychology lesson.

4.Don’t try to impress everyone; you don’t even like everyone.

5. Be more than modest but less than complacent.

— The goal is to radiate kindness without giving people any power over you.

6.Self-love is the highest expression of love.

7. Smart work isn’t a shortcut; it’s efficiency.

8.If you don’t fit in a room, then there are bigger spaces waiting to be graced by your presence.

9.Low-maintenance friendships are the only ones that will endure.

10.You will always be the villain in someone’s story; it’s all about perspective.

11.Invest in experiences, not material things.

12.Your parents want the best for you, but they don’t always know what’s best for you.

13.No relationship is permanent. People will leave eventually, but what matters is that it was good while it lasted.

14.It’s okay to love passionately and put efforts and energy in the people you love.

— You can’t get stronger without the hurt and pain.

15. Make mistakes.

— Why leave your life like a blank canvas when you can paint a masterpiece.

16. It’s not “I have to”; it’s “I get to.”

— Gratitude is the fuel for happiness.

17.FIX THAT DAMN SLEEP SCHEDULE.

— Please!

18. It’s impossible to completely isolate yourself from others’ opinions, but you can learn to have your own while respecting theirs.

BONUS:

Leaving your home or the comforting feeling of home will teach you life lessons and skills that school or your parents could never.

So here’s to 18 years of adventures, mishaps, and everything in between!

And hey, if being an adult means I can have ice cream for breakfast, count me in!

In these 18 years, one of the best things that’s ever happened to me is taking a leap of faith to finally start writing for the world to read ❤

Thankyou for helping me get closer to my dreams ❤

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Inked Butterfly
Inked Butterfly

Written by Inked Butterfly

Writing makes my heart flutter and mind fly beyond the horizon :)

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