It can wait, whatever “it” is.
You will feel shitty all day. Just wake up. Yes, grandmas say “shitty.”
When your space is clean, your mind is clear.
Or at least take a walk everyday if you can. There is nothing better for your mental health.
Ernest Hemingway famously stopped writing as soon as he knew what would happen next in his stories. Don’t do that. You’re not Ernest Hemingway. Get done what you can now. Take advantage of the movement. Tomorrow you may just want to sit in bed, eat Doritos, or make a cat video.
Wake up earlier than everyone else. Go to bed later. Work, work, work. That’s what it takes, and there is no shortcut.
It makes you better in the end. But don’t let it damage your psyche or your confidence. Someone tells you you’re fat? Wow, that’s rough. Get to the gym, but know that your self-worth isn’t measured in pounds.
Pour everything into your writing. Give it your grandest voice. Say what you think in your next meeting. When you put forth your 100% self, people will still only see 20% of you because they like looking at themselves most of the time. If you only put 20% of yourself forward, they won’t look away from the mirror.
Also know that the world doesn’t revolve around you. There are bigger problems, there are people who need more help than you do. While you are chasing dreams of publication, there are others who are going to bed hungry at night. Never lose your perspective.
It’s a selfish thing because you feel so good after doing it, but it’s always better to be selfish in a selfless way. There are worse ways to be selfish.
Of course, first make sure that you will love and properly take care of an animal. There is nothing more comforting than snuggling a furry friend after an awful day.
You just never know.
Take a shower and go to bed. It will get better. Whatever you do, don’t drink!
Stick to your routines, even when you’re dead tired. You’ll probably also be dead tired tomorrow, and those dishes don’t do themselves…
Your friends and family and co-workers can’t feel what you feel. If you need a rest, take it. If you need to get to the doctor, no one can take your body there for you. Your mind and body are connected: take care of them both, or no one else will.
If someone asks you to jump out of a plane without a parachute, don’t yell “YOLO” and jump. Use your judgment. Take risks and live life to its fullest, but do think twice. One mistake CAN really change everything. When in doubt, choose to regret not doing something. Don’t set yourself up to regret stupidity.
Someday you will want to share yours, or add to yours, or laugh at yours, or burn yours and start afresh.
Memories are beautiful and they define who we become, but forward is always the right direction. Keep your eyes and feet pointed that way.
She’s been around the block (a few times). And she knows best. 
This article originally appeared on Medium. You can buy Carina Sitkus’ brilliant book, Grandma’s How-To List For Getting Through Life, over at Thought Catalog.