A little over a year ago, I posted a list of rules I live by, and felt the need to update it. Click here for the original.

1. Civility is a virtue. It isn’t being fake; it’s being an adult. You don’t need to be friends with people you don’t like. You don’t need to be a cunt to them either.
2. Know yourself inside and out, better than anyone else will ever know you. Your strengths, your flaws, your weaknesses – and embrace them.
3. Unless you’d say it to their face, don’t say it behind their back. More often than not, just go ahead and say it to their face.
4. Don’t draw opinions on things you know nothing about. Don’t force your opinions on others. Respect the fact that people like things that you don’t and hate things that you do. Live and let live.
5. Love yourself before you ever try to love someone else.
6. Find something decent in any situation, no matter how bad it seems.
7. Keep your ego and check, and surround yourself with people who will knock you down when you need to be.
8. If you don’t know something, look it up. No excuses.
9. Don’t spend excessive amounts of time in your head alone. Take someone with you if you must take the trip.
10. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Everyone deserves your trust, respect and compassion until they give you a reason that they don’t.
11. Be observant and aware of everything and everyone around you. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn.
12. Be careful of those you hold onto. Be more careful of those you let go of.
13. Don’t date someone just because they’d date you. Don’t have sex with someone just because they want to have sex with you. Don’t love someone just because they’re in love with you. Never settle. You’re entitled to your standards.
14. Never let distance, literal or figurative, get in the way.
15. Remember that everyone has a reason. Everyone has a story.
16. Other people’s opinions of you are none of your business. Your opinion of you is the only one that matters. The only expectations you need live up to are your own.
17. Eat whatever you want, wear whatever you want, do whatever you want and be whoever you want — as long as you’re not hurting anyone. 
18. What doesn’t kill you will only make you more mature.
19. If you care about someone, make sure they know it.
20. Don’t let anyone take up space in your head or your heart who hasn’t earned it.
21. Take a step back and a deep breath to process your emotions before you react.
22. Only make compliments that are sincere. Graciously accept compliments, even if you think they aren’t.
23. It’s impossible to have enough friends. Everyone can teach you something about yourself or the world around you.
24. Smile more than you frown, take more opportunities than you turn down, laugh more than you cry, and help more than you hurt.
25. You’re young, you’re beautiful, you’re perfect the way you are and you’re just fine on your own. Know that.