What did I learn this year? I've been asked to make a presentation for a class. 

Every year it feels like I learned nothing and that maybe I don't even know what a year is, or maybe I've gotten dumber.

Still, I've learned a lot about sickness, and doctors, and how to keep moving when your dad is possibly dying.

I’ve learned about procrastination - that I don't do it. That I've been blessed with an intrinsic motivation that pushes me far. I have learned that there are many people more brilliant than me, who are smarter and harder working, or also just plain lucky.

So it's best to mind my business most of the time, mto not copy someone else's poetry, and accept my face and body the way they are. 

I've learned that people treat you less like trash when you just tell them they are being mean. That no one likes an meanie. People also put onto you the respect you command onto yourself,  so it is important to sometimes be picky in what you are willing to accept.

I learned that love is quite flattering, also stressful and daunting. Being loved is nice, but it sometimes ends up eating at you, wearing you down until you get nasty. Try not to be nasty.

Perhaps love with friends is more important than at least the romantic love I've experienced so far. It should be valued above most other things.

I learned I will cry more for the death of my dog than I did for my grandma. That sometimes death brings relief, and relief brings spring. 

What we eat is important, it builds microbiomes and gut health, and brings colon cancer and also lovely meals with friends. I learned that chipotle hurts my stomach horribly, that 6 dollars for a coffee is worth it if it makes your day. 

There is nothing better than laughing, chasing that last laugh, always and everywhere. The best thing you can do for yourself is surround yourself with funny people, and dance every weekend that you can. 

Don't trap yourself in with people who bore you, because you're impatient and don’t wanna wait a bit longer. Just wait. You might be less cool if you don't, and end up losing who you really are. 

I learned that you do need a community, and everyone does. Community saves people. A good song saves people too, or a soccer practice, or a fantastic poem in English. Different kinds of people need different kinds of saving, but everyone can be saved.

I learned to crave a book, to miss my parents a little less each time they leave. 

I learned about sex, all the things it can mean and all the things it doesn't.

I learned how to take a real good shower, that makes you feel a bit cleaner after being clawed at by dirty, sharp hands.

I learned that some people won't care, but it will matter more than the moon and sky for others. 

Little things too, that cerave is still best for acne, but sometimes spending more money on something nicer makes you feel prettier, even if your room’s a mess and you can't figure out what godforsaken math rule your calc teacher is explaining.

Cheating on a quiz may just get you to the same outcome, and spending study hours watching a movie with your mom is more important at times.

Writing big, frilly words doesn't always get the point across better - simple sometimes does it.

Waste time outside and get wasted sometimes. Cry if you have to. It will feel better after.

Speak with your chest to live without things pulling on your shoulders. Don't let your spine twist with the weight of keeping things to yourself. 

Say what you really mean - people will listen, and they will do it with open ears.

Everyone will listen to the stars exploding from your heart, drench the world in your glitter.