Trust yourself and live life your way to ensure you have one hell of a ride

IABOUT to go on leave, so this column will take a break for a bit. And because I’m going off to a few different places, it feels rather final, like I’m about to head off on an important mission that I may never return from.

I may have watched Armageddon last night. And because of that, I thought I’d share some of the crazy things I have learnt about life this year.

One. Never trust the clothes sizes at any fashion store. If it says small and you think you can fit into a small, you won’t. You will look like a stuffed blood sausage. Also, I have finally learnt that you do have to try on clothes before you buy them. Holding up a shirt to your chest is not an effective way to gauge a fit.

Two. Conventional wisdom is the worst. Just because the phrase is familiar or seems to make sense doesn’t mean it’s always the case. Sometimes you’re not supposed to do the right thing. Sometimes you need to do what you want to do and deal with consequences later. This may explain that one time I decided I would look better as a blonde. Spoiler: I didn’t.

Three. We always know what we really want to do. We just aren’t able to commit to it for whatever reason, so we go around asking friends what they think until eventually one of your friends gives you the advice (read: go ahead) that you wanted, and then you do it. But I say, you already knew. Secretly, deep down, you knew. Learn to trust your instincts. It saves you a lot of time.

Four. Unfriend your exes. Otherwise you just find reasons to stalk them online and, inevitably, you will read a post where they talk about how they have finally found the one, and you will hate it and yourself and, honestly, who has time for that?

Five. Always look at yourself in different lighting before you leave the house. Objects may appear cleaner or more flattering than they actually are.

Six. Become more selfish. Not self-obsessed, but rather selfful. It’s your life, do everything on your terms. Why should it be any other way? Have breakfast for dinner, paint your room black, and listen to the cheesiest music from the ’90s because why the hell not?

Seven. It’s okay to not know anything. In fact, if you thought you did know everything, then you really, really don’t know anything. But so what if you don’t have a plan? Or don’t know exactly what to do next. Or know what you’re doing or even who are you right now. It’s all right, it’s okay. You are going to make it anyway.

Eight. Know when to quit. The worst thing is doing something your heart’s not in. Trust yourself and take that leap. Even if you fall, you will have enjoyed one hell of a ride.