You are never going to be prepared for everything that life throws at you. This is one of the harsh but true lessons I have learned in my 17 years. Now that all I have is a single high school semester looming over me before college, this lesson is proving to be more true than ever.

I’m not the stereotypical bratty, disobedient, disrespectful teenager who just can’t wait to get out of the house so I can leave my “annoying” parents behind. I am actually very close to my family and share just about everything with them, good and bad. As excited as I am for college, the thought of leaving my family and not seeing them for long periods of time is upsetting. This is something that is not easy to prepare for, but is gradually becoming more and more real as each day passes.

I believe there are two types of people: Those who plan, and those who go with the flow.

  I am a planner: the type of person who likes to plan everything out, know all of the details and be ready for anything that comes my way. When I don’t know how something is going to play out, or something throws a wrench in my plans, I get mildly anxious. This is one of my fatal flaws.

This is something I have unintentionally been working on this past year. I believe that part of growing as a person is taking life as it comes. No amount of planning, scheduling or preparing can make you ready for the twists and turns that your life has in store for you.

Whether it’s college, car crashes, family situations, or even weather, life is unpredictable. If you live in the present and don’t try to prepare for everything it will make the twists and turns in life a little easier to deal with when they come your way.