manifesto @ 24

character arc before prefrontal cortex develops

I turned 24 in July last year, and I think I'll write a little manifesto for myself for whatever I've learned / unlearned over the twenty-four-good-bad-existential-dissociative self.

They are few learnings which I have condensed in lesser words. They would require a lot of context for why I’ve concluded this but they're universal. Since, we are meaning giving species, you can pick and choose for what fits your case? Or don't? I'm just writing it for me re-visit them after a year when my pre-frontal cortex will be developed and hence, depriving me of much intellectual growth later. So, here we go:

• Say no. Say no more often than you think. Because if you don't say no loudly, that would mean a 'yes' to the other person and you will have no defence to your aid later.

• As per the existing law in force, you're an adult after attaining the age of 18. So, perhaps you're an adult only when you turn 18. So, currently I’ve only loved 6 years as an adult. Now, can you please forgive yourself?

• Love will come and go. Money will come and go. Your feelings will come and go. You are here to stay. So, don't you loose yourself.

• Confidence is the key. That doesn't mean you have to look good or talk smart. You have to define the 'key' which would give you the confidence.

• Your interpersonal relationships are the cause to your problems. Repair those close bonds first. However, don't stop from making new ones. Just try doing things differently now.

• Make sure the first five people around you are your best cheerleaders. You don't need social media wanna-be cheerleaders dopamine inducing likes-retweets-reposts for telling you that you are capable of more. Just the first five. They can change when those relationships are outgrown.

• You've heard the proverb, 'Money is good servant but a bad master'? I've come to the conclusion it's the same for the internet.

• Overthinking is a result of trying to control the outcomes. But the truth is you can't do that. No one can. The only thing you can control is doing the work. Do the work.

• Overthinking is under-feeling. Ask yourself more often about how the particular thing makes you feel.

• Make mistakes. Forgive yourself.

• Listen to your gut even if the world's logic is against it.