This year I will be turning 21. HYPE. But with that being said, I got to thinking the other day about all the things i've learned in life in the past twenty years. It's a lot, and I honestly don't even think this piece of writing will do it justice, but I'm writing anyways to share the 20 most important things that I have learned by 20.
1. Sticks and stones may break my bones but... WORDS HURT EVEN WORSE.
I chose this one to be first due to the biggest impact it has on me and many others. I could quote to you hurtful things i've heard over the years from friends, professors and even people who I don't know. Over my twenty years of life, i've learned to think more before I speak. You never know when one word will break someone forever.
2. College isn't for everyone.
Being in college is something I thoroughly love and enjoy on a daily basis. I couldn't imagine where I would be without being in college, being around the people I met through this University I am at, and learning the things i've learned since being on this campus. But I have also learned from some of the people I love the most that college is not the path for everyone. AND THAT IS OKAY. Some of the smartest people I know didn't make it to college and I wouldn't think any less of them.
3. Name brands are a joke.
Throwback to the days where if you didn't wear something with Abercrombie or Hollister on it then you weren't cool.... HA. Most of my favorite clothing items are from the thrift store nowadays and I'm proud of it.
4. Not everyone has the same intentions as you.
Important to know. Me being the person with an open heart to everyone, that makes it easier to get broken. Not everyone is genuine and not everyone is as giving and caring as you may be. Be careful.
5. Travel as much as you can.
Life is so so so short. We never know when the next day won't be there. Take the time to travel and see anything and everything. Even if it's not as impressive as you thought it would be, make the memories and make new friends. Get lost. Wander around. Just see the world.
6. Don't say no for no reason.
When it comes to wanting more time for yourself it's okay to say no. Sometimes we just need a little space. But don't say no just because. When your friends ask you to go out and you want to say no just because you don't feel like doing your hair...don't. I've had some of the best times going to hang out with groups of people when I thought I didn't want to.
7. If you get a second chance, take it.
Sometimes we don't get the opportunity for second chances. Whether it be with someone you love, or something as simple as retaking a test. Take that opportunity because they don't always come around that often.
8. Your parents are usually right.
I always thought my parents were silly when they told me not to do something, or gave me advice about something that I didn't agree with. But nope, I always ended up being the silly one. Your parents are older and wiser, and more than likely they have been through similar situations and know the best advice. Listen to them more.
9. Self acceptance is more important.
Who cares if others don't love you? You need to love yourself. You're the one who lives with yourself daily, and it is important to have self love.
10. Money doesn't equal happiness.
There are better things you can do than buy the next new thing. Materialistic things don't last forever, but memories and relationships with people do.
11. It's okay to be single.
You don't have to have a significant someone to be happy.
12. Take as many pictures as possible.
Pictures are worth a thousand words. One day you'll want to look back at all the memories you made with all of your friends, and pictures will be the perfect thing for that.
13. Quality over quantity.
I have definitely learned that having a few really good friends is better than having a ton semi-okay friends. I would definitely pick quality over quantity when it comes to friends in my life.
14. Find a type of coffee you like and stick with it.
If you find good coffee that you love keep drinking it!
15. But also, don't be afraid to try new things.
Trying new things in life is how we find out what we like and dislike. Always be open to trying something new or doing something different in your life to change things up a little bit.
16. It's okay to fail, mess up, or make mistakes.
Nobody's perfect (Hannah Montana said it first). But it's true! We all mess up and make mistakes. Don't let that set you back. Let that be a reason for you to get up again and try harder. Our mistakes do not define us.
17. Take care of yourself.
You only have one life and one body to live it in, so why not take care of it? We're fragile human beings and need to make sure our bodies and our minds are being taken well care of in order to grow and live on.
18. Do more yoga.
I debated on putting this one in here, but I decided to because it goes along with taking care of yourself. I have never felt more relaxed than I do after doing a yoga session. Do yoga. It helps you breathe and calm down from this crazy, stressful world we are living in.
19. It's okay to love social media.
Stop letting everyone who isn't a millennial make you feel bad about the generation you grew up in. We are a social media generation and it's super entertaining (trust me I Facebook, Twitter, Insta more than you know).
20. You don't have to have everything figured out.
I thought that once I came to college and began to actually grow up I needed to know every step of my life and where I was going to be at all times. I quickly learned that this will not happen, and it's okay to not always have everything figured out. You have time.
