Manifesto Version 25

I will not bring my work home with me. Nor will I stay at a job that breaks my heart and sends me to bed unfulfilled. I promise that I wont work myself to the point of mental breakdown. I will pursue the life that I’ve laid out in my dreams even if it scares me shitless. Especially if it scares me shitless.

I’ll work hard and finish first in my class. Though I don’t know how, I promise that I’ll be nicer to Alvin Lee. He too is just trying his hardest. I will wear my education proudly.

I’ll say “I love you” more often and like more selfies. I’ll buy my friends EPs even though I don’t like electronic music because supporting them means more to me than $0.99. I vow to champion the people in my life no matter what path they’re on. Even if I don’t get it, I’ll educate myself so that I can feel honest in calling myself an ally. I promise that everyone who feels they can’t stay will know that they are loved and capable no matter how far they wander. I’ll stop thinking it’s okay to start a sentence with “I love them, but..” and just stop talking shit instead. I will ask people about their greatest fears, happiest memories, and wildest dreams because everyone ought to know that their narrative matters. I’ll listen to stories of my best friends sexcapades even though it freaks me out because he is the greatest person my heart has ever known and I want him to know that everything is on the table. Always. I’ll be vulnerable and always say sorry when I’m wrong. I’ll thank people for being brave enough to show up as they are.

I’ll push Mom every day and remind her that she should be doing what she loves instead of staying where she is comfortable. To call her the most exceptional human I’ve ever known would be an understatement. I will tell my siblings I miss them and that I am so proud of the parents and people that they have become. I will tell their children that they are exceptional and that I won’t let them settle for anything less than the stars. I promise to be kinder to Grandma even when she frustrates me. I swear to continue telling Grandpa all the weird and intimate details of my life because it makes him feel closer to me and I love to hear him laugh. I promise to be more patient and prioritize my family because I lucked out with the one I got.

When it comes to dating, I promise to quit the men who compare me to their exes, speak ill of the women in their lives, or refuse to greet service people with a smile. I’ll accept that “I’m not looking for anything serious,” is a fuckboy anthem that doesn’t belong on my life’s soundtrack – I am not anybody’s cigarette break. I promise to only let those with big life plans invade my space. I want to be pushed, pulled, terrified, and inspired by the prospect of tomorrow. I won’t let white lies slide anymore, nor will I allow anyone to meet me with passive aggression when we don’t see eye to eye. I’ll only give out second chances if they have been earned. I wont sit through shitty movies to appease the man beside me. I will no longer coddle the insecure or make myself small to ensure they don’t get a complex. I promise to send away anyone who isn’t man enough to say what he wants and just be done with it. I promise I’ll stop speaking ill of my exes, because at one point they were everything I wanted.

I vow to never exit someone’s house via the fire escape again.