I just saw this post on Facebook that  is asking people to comment and like and re-post if they would do certain things if this person had died and that really bothered me. It's the fact that someone feels the need to put up something like that because they don't know who really cares about them and who really matters in their life. I don't know, to me it's a scary thought to think someone doesn't know/think they have people in their lives who care enough to go to their funeral if they die.

Having said that, I know most of the people you meet in high school will not be your friend in the years to come, especially when people go off to college and experience the world. So, the people in your life who care are forever changing with only a few constants, like your family, those few amazing friends you can always count on, and those mentors you meet as you get older. Those are the people that matter, they are the people you should want to come to your funeral.

If I were able to plan my own funeral I would make sure people who really knew me and cared about me were there and that it wasn't a sad day. I don't think funerals should be sad. I want mine to be happy and to celebrate my (long) life. I have said that no one is allowed to wear anything but bright colors to my funeral and they are only allowed to play happy songs and share good and funny memories.

That's what I feel a funeral should be, a celebration of a life. I forget who said it, but someone said "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." And I feel like that's an amazing way to live a life. So, I plan to smile because it happened!

Love,
Natalie

You Should Talk About Going To Therapy | Thought Catalog

You Should Talk About Going To Therapy | Thought Catalog

19 Pieces Of Advice You’ll Need To Make It Through Your 20s | Thought Catalog

19 Pieces Of Advice You’ll Need To Make It Through Your 20s | Thought Catalog

There's a blog out there called onehelloworld.com and it's amazing. I really think everyone should look it up and just listen to a few of the recordings on there because it definitely made me think about the things I did when I talked to other people.

This website takes phone calls from people and writes music for them, and then posts them online for others to listen to. It's a way for people to express how they feel and still be anonymous and not have anyone judge them.

I love this site and think it's amazing what they are doing for people who need a way to release these pent up feelings. So, if you want, take a look.

Love,
Natalie

Having and keeping a best friend is hard as you get older I've come to find out. It's not that the act of being a friend is harder, but the act of taking time out of your life to specifically schedule with this other person can be hard. Since I am home schooled and don't have the regular time that teenagers usually have to spend with other teenagers I have to actively seek it. And sometimes all you want to do is sit at home and do nothing.

The thing is that I think this has made finding good friends even easier to find. Because it takes effort to be friends with someone you know you won't see everyday at school. It takes someone to truly want to be your friend to stick by you when you aren't the easiest person to hang out with.

Trust me I know I'm not the most interesting or entertaining person and I don't have all these stories about school, but I do have amazing friends. I have friends I can talk to about anything, even if it's been a while since we last spoke. And sure, most of our communication is online or through text of some sort, but it still gets the job done. And on those occasions where we do get to see each other it's even better.

I haven't been spoilt by thinking I'll always have hundreds of friends and they'll all care about me equally, like some people seem to think. I know that's not how the world works, but that's okay because as long as I have my few good friends and my family I know I can get through anything.

What about you? What have you learned from your friends?

Love,
Natalie

I Want To Go Back To Summer Camp | Thought Catalog

I Want To Go Back To Summer Camp | Thought Catalog

Let’s Remember What’s Really Important | Thought Catalog

Let’s Remember What’s Really Important | Thought Catalog