D is for “Daughter”: Life Rules for My Little Girl
Note: This post is part of an A to Z blogging challenge I’m participating in.
When it comes to the letter D, the first word that popped into my head was “daughter.” I decided to create a list of life lessons for my little girl. This list is by no means exhaustive…but it’s a start.
Life Rules for My Little Girl
First, surround yourself with people who lift you up and inspire you—not those who make you feel bad about yourself or put you down. Life is too short for bad friends.
Be kind, especially to those who seem to need it the most…
…But don’t be a doormat. Stand up for yourself. Be your own advocate.
Get involved. Don’t believe that other people will fix the world’s problems for you. Remember the Lorax: “Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
When others talk, listen. Really listen. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk.
Stay away from social media for as long as you can. It will be hard, as the majority of your friends will be Snapchatting and Facebooking and Instagramming and Lord knows what else and you’ll feel left out. Remember: social media is the world’s highlight reel. It’s not reality.
Live in your moments–don’t witness them through the screen of a smart phone. Don’t just document–be present.
To that end, if your friends are obsessed with their electronics and would rather stare into a screen than have real conversations, don’t be afraid to tell them they’re being lame.
Remember your manners. Please and thank you go a long way, no matter how old you are.
Be a trustworthy, loyal friend.
Choose a career path you’re passionate about—one that supports you financially and gives you a healthy life/work balance. One that inspires you to get up in the morning. Maybe that means you choose an unconventional career path. Maybe that means you become an veterinarian. Do what makes you happy.
Recycle. Avoid plastic as much as possible.
Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself. When in doubt, err on the side of modesty.
Choose beauty products that are good for you.
Speaking of beauty products, avoid makeup as much as possible. Never forget how beautiful you are, inside and out. After all, no amount of makeup will transform a mean girl into a kind one.
Stay active. Ride your bike, run, walk, swim lift weights, do yoga, play a sport. Exercise feeds endorphins. The more you move, the better you feel.
Don’t be afraid to get your hair wet or your hands dirty. Swim in the ocean. Dig in the dirt. Plant a garden.
Go outdoors as much as possible. There’s no Vitamin D like natural Vitamin D.
Eat healthy foods as much as possible, but don’t be afraid to have dessert. Everything in moderation. Keep learning to cook.
If an opportunity for (safe) travel presents itself, take it.
Never stop learning.
Adopt a pet from a shelter.
Keep singing.
Finally, never forget how much your parents love you. Even when you’re mad, and we’re mad, and even if we say mean things to each other, and even if it seems like we could never understand what you’re mad about, and even when you think we’re unfair or uncool, remember this above all: we love you.
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