Lessons of 2024 (Part II)

1. "When you're born in a burning house, you think the whole world is on fire. But it's not."
- Richard Kadrey, Aloha from Hell (Sandman Slim, #3)

When you're born and raised in chaos, you assume it is normal. Normalcy fazes you when you step out into the real world. You believe the world is out to get you when in reality, you're not the problem. You think love is conditional or transactional, that you must pay a price to receive it otherwise you're unworthy.

Eventually, you will find a clearing beyond the walls of fire you were trapped in, and gradually heal. As cliche as it sounds, time heals wounds, but only if you are receptive to embracing the unfamiliar.

2. Your parents are not heroes. They're just like you - flawed, growing, learning, and trying. Give them grace and forgive them for their shortcomings.

3. Heal before having children so your children don't have to heal from you. Also, do NOT bring children into this world if you don't want them. You will inevitably resent them.

4. Your mental illness is not an excuse for you to treat others poorly. Your anger may blind you, but your actions will not be overlooked. Anger is fleeting, but its impact is permanent. Take some time to manage your anger now so it will not be a problem down the line.

5. Never use your vices as a crutch. Addiction is real. The high/buzz may give you a break from reality momentarily, but it comes with a caveat: long-term irreversible damage to your mind and body.

6. "Don't go back to less because you are too impatient to wait for better." Don't let your loneliness overcome you. Sit with it, let it wash over you, but - by all means - do NOT act on it. If you act on it, you'll only push away the good that lies ahead.