Lessons to Live By in 2025

Happy New Year, Vocal readers! 2025 is the year to wipe the slate clean and start off fresh. If you're unsure of how to make this year memorable for yourself, I have a few pieces of advice that might be beneficial. Remember that we're all works in progress, so don't think that you're alone in this.

Live the life that YOU want

Are you sick and tired of people telling you what kind of life you should live? What kind of career you should pursue? The kind of person you should become? I grew up in a family where your only choices were either a doctor, lawyer, or teacher and nothing else. Anything else besides one of those careers, you are told that you are a disgrace to the family. Luckily, I didn't fall into their trap of unrealistic expectations for me and followed my own path. You're an adult and have the freedom to do whatever your heart desires. You're in the driver's seat of your life. In other words, you have plenty of say when it comes to career choice, the people that you want to be friends with, and so on.

Enjoy yourself and have fun

Life is meant to be enjoyable. If you're too serious about everything, life will become more difficult for you in the long run. You'll end up becoming that grumpy person. Sometimes, you have to let loose and not worry about everything. Take up that new hobby that you're curious of doing. Go on that dream vacation. The world is full of great stuff for you to enjoy and it's waiting for you. You only have one life, so live every day like it's your last. Besides, you're not getting any younger by missing out on the things that peak your interest.

Keep your social circle small

You really want to become everyone's friend. However, it's important to know that just because someone smiles at you, it doesn't mean that they're your friend. I've learned this the hard way later on in life. For example, I made the difficult decision to cut ties with a friend and classmate I've known since my sophomore year of high school. We kept in touch as often as possible. Unfortunately, in 2021, I told him that I was gay and he didn't take the news well. He was very religious and after almost 20 years of friendship, I had to let him go. It was a hard decision and I was hurt over him denying my existence, but I felt like it was for the best. I didn't want to continue being friends with someone who didn't accept me as I was. Another instance of betrayal occurred a few years ago when a so-called "friend" invited me to a party. When I was on his way to his house, I messaged him and he never responded and headed home. He later had other people over at his house that night. That's when everything clicked with me and stopped being friends with him soon after. I've only known him for over three years. It was a clear sign that I wasn't wanted.

Find a few friends that you trust, are accepting of you, and understanding. If you're more of a loner, becoming your own best friend is better than having a fake friend. Also, we have to decipher the difference between friends and enemies. I didn't have many friends growing up, due to my Autism diagnosis, which made it difficult for me to communicate with others. Someone once said to keep your circle small, and you mind at peace. Fewer friends mean having less drama.

You are handsome and beautiful as you are

Society puts too much pressure on others to look a certain way. I don't believe in any form of body shaming. I also don't believe in treating others less than who they are just because they're unattractive or have any kind of physical flaw. Beauty, especially looks, are so subjective. Whether someone has any type of disability, scars, or birthmarks, everyone deserves to be treated with fairness, kindness, dignity, and respect. It's okay to have flaws and imperfections, because no one is perfect. People will appreciate the real you, not the you that they expect you to be. You have to start by loving yourself first. Ladies, be your own version of beautiful and men, be your own version of handsome.

Did these pieces of advice help you? If you had some pieces of advice to give to someone, what would they be? Sound off in the comments below. Be sure to like this story, send me a one-off tip at the end of this story to show your support of me, and follow me on my socials. To my new readers, you can subscribe to my page for free. You can also make a monthly pledge to my page to further your support of me as I come up with more stories to write.

I hope that 2025 will be a joyous and pleasant year for you.