15 things it's never too late for

When we’re little, all we want is to be one of the grown-ups. We carry around dolls and pretend that they're real and we have to be their parent and look after them.

We are given toys that are made to subtly teach us about the world, like pretend play kitchen sets and cash registers. When we’re 12, 14, 15, we can’t wait to be legal to do all the things adults do (even if some of us already do).

Becoming older unfortunately comes with greater responsibilities. From a young age, we’re asked constantly what we want to do. It always goes from princess, vet, astronaut, doctor, firefighter, to most of the time, I genuinely don’t freaking know. But some of us know what we want to eventually do when we leave school and the pressure from that is a lot to carry. The pressure to continue studying even when we’re not sure and don’t want to affects a lot of us. It affected me a lot and I really didn’t know that there were other options to consider. So for a really long time I just dealt with it even though it was affecting my mental health. In the last couple of years, I’ve finally realised what I want to do with my future but sometimes I freak out thinking that I’m getting too old and by the time I actually get to my end goal and all the things I want to do, I’ll be too old. It isn't true. It’s never too late to do what you really want to do not matter what age you are. Through life in general we make mistakes and learn from them, or we regret things we didn’t do but it’s never too late to work around that and just do it.

Here are 15 things that are never too late to do:

1. Let go

Holding a grudge means that you are carrying something with you that won’t even matter in years to come. Somethings are hard to forgive and forget but it’s much easier on your heart and soul to not carry that for the rest of your life. Make those amends.

2. Think more positively

If your mental health is deteriorating and you think there’s nothing you can do about it, or nothing you want to do about it, try little things that make you think more positively, like the people in your life that support you, your pet who loves you unconditionally no matter what, nature, a song that lifts your heart. Write the things you’re grateful for down anywhere you can.

3. Travel or move to a new place

Whether it’s in a different suburb, a different state or a different country entirely, there’s something about changing it up and discovering a new culture and way to live that brings peace to the mind and makes you feel like a new person, whether it’s with your significant other, your family, friends or even by yourself.

4. Try something new

It’s never too late to try something new. It could be an instrument, a new language, going back to university, a new food, anything! Living a life of adventure is a good one.

5. Get better sleep

Being a student affects your sleep, we all know this. There are plenty of strategies online to use to get to sleep earlier and faster without your brain running wild with all the things you have yet to do. This also comes down to routine. For me, (after I watch a few episodes of something on Netflix) I spray my pillow with a yummy lavender and frankincense pillow spray you can get from Mecca, and I put on some ambient music like rain or waves crashing on the shore to distract my brain from thinking or singing a really upbeat song.

6. Fall in love

Whether it’s a stranger, someone you’ve known for a long time or someone you already been with but it didn’t quite work out. Things always find their way back and there is always someone for everyone. Don’t be afraid to love.

7. Switching careers

Everyone changes their mind. Even when they’ve been certain about their future ever since they were born, when you grow you always change as a person. And it’s never good to be in a repetitive situation. Start that business you’ve always wanted to start up.

8. Learn to be selfless AND selfish

Many people take on others problems and never have time for themselves or their own feelings. Please know that you can be someone’s shoulder and that there will always be someone else to be yours.

9. Change your style

Don’t be afraid to go through phases. Change the way you dress, discover new make-up looks or even do something crazy with your hair! Get that piercing you’ve always wanted! And remember, it’s okay to regret things. Things can be fixed and it won’t matter in five years.

10. Look after your health

Start meditation, yoga, pilates or a sport you wouldn’t normally do. Surround yourself with good people that make you feel good. Take time for yourself and plan healthy meals (remember you can always have cheat days). Find what makes you feel good.

11. Get out of a toxic relationship

This goes for any relationship: a friendship, relationship with family members, co-workers, significant other. Get out of there if you don’t feel good with them.

12. Make new friends

There are so many places to meet new people: at your new work, or your Italian language classes, book clubs, Contiki tours, the bathroom at a club. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.

13. Be okay being alone

Being alone is something I love to do. Don’t be afraid to be single, to go to the movies alone, spend time with yourself with some peace and quiet. Start that little project you’ve always wanted to do.

14. Simplify your life

Clean out your wardrobe. Get rid of things you don’t need. Switch the furniture around. You’ll feel like a whole new person.

15. Lastly, learn to love yourself

Learning self-respect, self-care and self-love are extremely difficult. But once you do it, it’s easy and you’ll think, how did I not feel like this before.

It's never to late. Go out there and live.