I got 99 problems and growing up is definitely one of them. When we were kids, growing up was the dream! Now our biological clocks tick loudly, reminding us that every day, we’re getting closer and closer to the reality that hey… We aren’t immortal. And that’s really stressful.

Add to that a dash of work, that fambam stress (can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em), not knowing what to do with your life or if you’re going in the right direction – oh, and your phone bill’s due – yeah, life’s hard and growing up just adds on to this sticky mess.

So here’s a list of 5 truths, pieces of advice, lil’ tidbits that have helped me deal with growing up and the pains that come along with it.

Number one: THE FIVE BY FIVE RULE
This here is one of my favorites and it’s useful for every fight, every problem, every heart ache. And there will be a lot of these, so we might as well pick our battles!

Number two: LET YOURSELF HAVE ONE GUILTY PLEASURE
Gotta stay healthy, gotta stay safe, gotta save up… Growing up sucks because now you gotta think of everything and the consequences. Being responsible is part of the package. But hey, every once in a while, you should just…

Number three: BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF
Look, people gonna be people and people gonna tell you what you should do, what you shouldn’t do, what you want and don’t want. And all these voices are going to drown yours out! Now it’s time for you to be heard. Figure out who you really are and just do you.

Number four: MOVE ON FROM THE REGRETS
Oh you will have many. What if this and what if that. But don’t dwell on it, time is just slipping by! And don’t complain about it, nobody really cares (unless it’s to say “I told you so”) but DO let it dictate what you will do next. Use regret to fuel your next decision so that you won’t think “what if…”

Number five: BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE IS FIGHTING A BATTLE
Who knows who has it worse? You could be standing next to big smile and never know how broken they may be. And their struggles? I hate mine, but I wouldn’t trade it for another’s. What I’ve learned is that the bad in my life has made me what I am today and the bad that will come, will only serve to make me better than I am now.

So these are hard to stand by and to live by. But believe it or not, they’ve helped me every time I feel like throwing a tantrum or calling my mum or just breaking down and running away. And I hope that it will help you too.