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23 Cookies - For Future Ashley

1. I don’t need to know everything. Not everything has to be dissected, figured out, or solved. Life must be lived out in the real world, not in my head. Keep going.

2. Spend time with animals and kids, they have pure souls and we can learn a lot from them. Simple things are the best things. Like the movie SOUL DUH.

3. Limerence is a disease and it will kill you if you do not get well soon.

4. There is nothing that a popcorn and Icee from an AMC theater cannot fix, but beware of overdoing it and watching Hunger Games too much.

5. No need to create a negative narrative about yourself in any aspect of your life because your thoughts influence your actions.

6. All the bad things that have happened to me, I did not predict. Anxiety likes to think it is certain about thousands of things that just are not true. No need to be the investigator of all things that could go wrong. If something bad is to happen, it will reveal itself. Anxiety can convince you of anything because it hates uncertainty. NO need to DO anything.

7. A lifetime of being a protective, good daughter, oldest sister or WHATEVER, perfect child and worrying about pleasing everyone first will lead to exhaustion and intense resentment and a deep desire to run away. Elemental says it all!

8. Stay groomed. I feel best when my nails are well kept, hands aren’t dry, toenails are cute! Gotta slay at Taekwondo if u know what I mean!!

9. CLEAN UR ROOM/environment/space around you. It is actually quite an enjoyable and soothing process. Keep what sparks joy, thank and get rid of what doesn’t. This literally translates to life. Watch and listen to Marie Kondo.

10. Everyone is human, even your mother. People aren’t perfect, friends aren’t perfect, significant others aren’t perfect and no one will ever be perfect. This includes you.

11. It’s not asthma, it's post nasal drip babe. Chill out with the corticosteroids.

12. Occupational therapy is the best profession CHANGE MY MIND

13. Talk to extended family, talk to your nail lady, talk to the lady who paints faces at softball games, and most importantly, talk to your grandma. She is your BFF.

14. Thou shall not judge because we are all sick. It’s not fun to talk poorly about others. Catch yourself.

15. Beware of rash decision making when you are angry. Explosive punching exercise helps with anger, although I still scream in my sleep.

16. Thou shall spend alone time in a cafe and study for the GRE.

17. To do lists NUFF SAID.

18. Physical attractiveness is not everything. Beauty fades and can be taken away in an instant if you are too consumed with your looks. Stay happy and healthy above all.

19. There is no better feeling than teaching and working with kids in school or summer camps. It brings me back to life and makes me love the journey. Don’t just live for the weekend.

20. Perioral dermatitis is a bitch, and hormonal adult acne just doesn’t disappear overnight unfortunately - so stop compulsively checking the mirror every morning and taking pictures because nothing has changed!

21. Crocs and legos are the world’s greatest creations. Besides dogs.

22. Friendship can be found in the most unexpected places in the most unexpected people. Like Taekwondo and volunteering with your OT.

23. Surround yourself with forgiving people and especially bosses. Unhappy micromanagers are soul suckers, and tolerating them does not have to be the norm. Leave, but practice forgiveness when dealing with people like that.