What’s Up Me And My Messy, Miserable Life,

Okay, I’m going to level with you. In the past week, all of these things happened: I got a B- on a test I really should have aced but I was exhausted because I stayed up way too late playing games on my phone; I was super impatient with my grandfather when he couldn’t figure out how to use the remote for the new TV after I explained it, like, five times; I got so busy that I forgot to return a call from my best friend, Max Crumbly; I also forgot to take the trash out for my grandmother, so we missed the garbage truck and ended up with a garage that smelled like fresh skunk for several days. On top of that, I accidentally gave a Fuzzy Friends dog cat food!

But, am I going to write about those things in this column? Well, I guess I just did. But not normally. Just like I don’t normally post my worst photos on Instagram, either. I carefully pick the ones that make me look like an excellent photographer.

We all do it – show the world a certain version of ourselves, and it’s not that we’re lying. When I post an amazing photo, I did take it and I’m proud of it. But I also probably took 37 other terrible photos that I refused to share.

The truth is that comparing the real, honest version of yourself to the “perfect” version of other people is completely unfair. It’s like comparing how you look first thing in the morning to how a model looks on the cover of a magazine. Even models wake up with messy hair and eye boogers.

So, as you can see, I CAN’T and DON’T “do it all.” Not well, anyway. I mess up. Kind of a lot, actually. But most of the time I’m trying my best, like I’m sure most people are.

Maybe I’ll make more of an effort to show the mistakes sometimes, too. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to share my best photos, the ones I’m most proud of. However, I can also be proud of all the not-so-great photos it takes to get to that one great photo.

But enough about me. Let’s talk about YOU. I hope you’re feeling a lot less messy and miserable now that you know the truth. Nobody’s perfect, and the only way to reach perfection is through your mistakes. They teach you how to be a better person since you’ll remember not to make them again.

Let me share some logical, tried and true advice that can make any messy, miserable life into a neat, awesome one. It has worked for me, and I believe it’ll work for you, too! When you have a moment, ask yourself, “What would I like to change about myself or my life?” Be sure to choose stuff you have control over.

For example:

1. You might not have any control over when your teacher plans a test, but you can control how well you listen in class and how hard you study the notes you’ve taken so that you can do well on it.
2. You can’t control how your grandma always makes you take out the trash, but you can control knowing whenever garbage day rolls around and making sure it’s out on the curbside before she even asks.
3. You have no control over every past mistake you’ve ever made, but you do have control over how you handle things today and in the future.

As for keeping your cool, check out my advice on how to control your temper by clicking here. Above all else, please remember not to be upset about your mistakes because you’re not the only one who makes them, and they’re what make you better.

Do you ever compare yourself to someone else? What do you do to build yourself up and calm yourself down when life gets messy? Tell us about it in the comments section below.