The best advice I gave and received in 2018.
in no particular order
You cannot be positive without being grateful.
No one knows you better than you know yourself.
The world is not against you. Most are just working for themselves and you are hurt in the process.
Someone else’s beauty does not diminish your own.
The best leaders are the ones who desire to learn from those who follow them.
Do not trust others blindly.
Searching for signs is a sign in itself.
Self-care is a necessary habit if you desire to help others.
You cannot make everyone happy.
Do not invalidate someone else’s trauma.
All good things take time.
Having high expectations for your significant other and your relationship is valid.
Do not surround yourself with folks who do not add to your life.
Do not assume that the man is paying.
Do not apologize for saying “no.”
Do not apologize for your feelings.
Some people just do not act on their feelings because protecting their hearts is more worth it to them than the possibility of love.
You will hurt the people you love and expecting otherwise is unrealistic. Love prevails. Do not let pain prevail.
He may be the world, but you are the universe.
Missing someone you love is okay.
Do not compare your relationship to other relationships.
Your opportunities arise from your manifestations.
Do not be ashamed to do (legal, healthy, reasonable, kind) activities that bring you joy.
Support men who choose to attend therapy sessions.
If you are privileged enough to vote, you should be voting.
Communication is key.
Always tip. Do not dine and ditch.
I say this often, but strength exists in being vulnerable.
If you are running for office, promote your own platform instead of bashing your opponents’ platforms. Voters will not learn anything about you if you spend all of your energy on creating negative facades for your opponents.
Surround yourself with folks who match your level of excitement.
You were beautiful and smart before him, and you will be beautiful and smart after him.
Gaslighting will happen occasionally in relationships of any kind, but both parties must consciously work to avoid doing so.
Some folks will always be mean and investing your energy into those who are kind is best in this case.
Sometimes, you might feel lonely because the people you love are unable to understand your experiences. Do your best to avoid projecting your frustrations onto them and if you do project, do not scold yourself for it. You are not perfect and your loved ones should not expect you to be perfect.
Toxic & unhealthy relationships do not contribute to an individual’s success and productivity.
If you are able to pick and choose the issues about which you care, you have privilege.
If you are able to avoid conversations surrounding politics, you have privilege.
Having privilege is not an issue; not recognizing your privileges is problematic.
Some will automatically assume you cannot be trusted or that you are a bad person, but this does not mean that you actually are.
Give others the benefit of the doubt.
Do your best to accommodate for folks with disabilities, and cultural or religious holidays.
Do not criticize what others in power have or have not done if you have not used your own power to enact change either. You do not have to be an elected official to create a movement or enact change.
Supporting, uplifting, or advocating for marginalized voices does not need to be (and probably should not be) politicized.
Bad and evil things will happen. Do not let the world make you cold-hearted.
Surround yourself with people who want nothing more than to watch you fall in love with being alive.
Complacency is not cute.
Worrying does not accomplish anything.
You do not owe anyone your happiness but yourself.
If you are feeling sad, happy, loved, empowered, weak, energized, angry, or any emotion really, follow Natasha Sohni on Spotify. She makes great playlists. 😉
Natasha Sohni 