1. Having nothing figured out is OK

My perception, like many others, of 20-year-olds when I was growing up was that they were these well-rounded young adults with their life figured out completely. Now that I’m at this age, I can attest to having nearly nothing figured out. This is OK. I’ve learned that as long as you’re trying and willing to better and further yourself, you're doing great. Take life day by day.

2. Your reputation isn't everything

I’m not saying that you should go try out for Girls Gone Wild and let your inner wild child come out. What I mean is that your worth and beauty are not dependent on your social media standing and status. The amount of likes you acquire on your selfies is in no way correlated to your beauty or worth. I also want to say that your true friends will always stick by your side no matter what. There will most likely be a time where your reputation is damaged, but that’s life. Whether it is because of a stupid mistake or a horrible rumor, do not invest your time trying to be your own PR representative. In all honesty, at the end of the day, your true friends and your family will love you no matter what. I promise this. Those concerned about your reputation and how it affects them are not the people you need in your life.

3. Invest in friends

Your friends in your life will be the best thing you have, next to family of course. As you get older you will move out of your childhood home and away from your family. As you slowly become more of an adult, there are bound to be days that are less than perfect, and that is when you will need your friends to pick you up and help pull you back together.

4. It's OK to be selfish

Your twenties are your most valuable years in life when it comes to shaping your future. In these years you will be faced with situations that will make you, break you and ultimately teach you priceless lessons about life and yourself. These years are for YOU to find, you. So never feel guilty for putting yourself, your feelings, wants, needs and desires before everyone or anything. It’s your life.

5. Take school seriously

Your future depends on your education. Okay, not always, but having an education will exceptionally raise your likelihood of living a comfortable life. So don’t slack off in high school, do your homework and be willing to learn. If you are fortunate enough to continue onto college, DO NOT take that opportunity for granted. Don’t put minimal effort into your future. You’re just cheating yourself in the long run. Yes, I know “You can always retake a class but you can never redo a party” but please be smarter than this. Because while you’re still retaking your college classes, those kids that took their education seriously will be throwing lavish parties for the million dollar companies they made.

6. Forgive

Learn to forgive, let go and move on. Don’t let past issues weigh down your present or future. Forgive people that have hurt you and wronged you, it will help you more than you know. No one has time to hold grudges or nasty feelings inside of them.

7. Don't wait

Don’t wait for a sign, for a sunny day, for "the right time," because that doesn’t exist. Live your life fully and without hesitation. Go after what you want, and don’t let doubt creep in and stop you. Be fearless, fierce, and unstoppable.

8. Suicide is a crime against yourself and the people that love you, not a solution

Let me start by saying that you are loved, by someone, somewhere. I know life gets hard, and people get wrapped up in their own problems and you may feel neglected and unloved, but I assure you, you mean everything to someone. Please reach out before you give up. When you take your own life, your also taking your parents' kid, your friend's friend and your teacher's student. You may think you're helping whatever situation you have found yourself in but I PROMISE you the aftermath and the heart ache of unanswered questions and loosing a loved one is hell on the people that adore you.

9. Date your best friend

As you grow older and start to settle down, you’ll begin dating. If there is one thing I can tell you, it is this: If you two aren’t friends, and I mean best friends, your relationship will suffer. Looks fade and statuses go away. Who they are in college won’t matter in 20 years. Don’t fight for a relationship just because you think “it makes sense." Back to #3, invest in a friendship first and get to know the good, bad and ugly of a person. See them upset and hurting, see them happy and excited about whatever it is that brings out these emotions. If you can see yourself being around this person for the rest of your life, then pursue it. Yet if there is ever a little glimpse of doubt or a certain thing that you just can’t stand, it’s probably best to remain friends.

10. Let loose - Your mental health is more important

School stressing you out? Bills stressing you out? Going through a break-up? Let go of every single care in your world for one night, grab some friends and just go wild. Sing and dance till 3 a.m. then go get Taco Bell and eat way to much then sleep late into the afternoon. Your mental health is far more important than anything that is stressing you out. It’s amazing how curing and freeing a night with your closest friends can be.

11. Have manners

Never underestimate the power of manners and kindness. Never expect anything to be handed or given to you. Always have a thankful heart and approach to life. Appreciate what you have and be grateful. If someone opens the door, thank them. If your teacher hands you a paper in class, thank them. They’re only trying to help you learn. Just remember to be thankful, kind and humble. No one is better than anyone else, and no one is above a simple ‘thank you’.

12. Crying doesn't make you weak

Just because you’re not a little kid anymore doesn’t mean you're not allowed to cry. Also, being an adult doesn’t mean you need to be this indestructible human of non-existent emotions. For the love of God and for your OWN self, cry! Cry whenever, and when the heck ever you want to. Who cares what people think, let them be judgmental robots of stone who put up a facade to impress people with their lack of emotions. We are all human and we all have breaking points, it’s okay to let your feelings out and to cry. There will be times where you’ll start crying for no apparent reason, and no one knows why but that’s life. Don’t let this world take your emotions away.

13. Find something you enjoy doing

In other words, find a hobby. Find something to pass time when you have time to spare. Find something you’re good at, something that lets you disconnect for a little while and escape. I’ve always thought that I never had a hobby because I wasn’t into anything artistic or any of the usual hobbies. Yet, I realized that enjoying something can be as simple as binge watching The Food Network. Who says your hobby has to be productive?

14. Be sincere

But don’t be rude. Don’t alter your opinions and feelings to match someone else’s or too fit in. Be sincere and true to yourself in life. Yes, people will not always agree with you, but they will respect the honesty and the maturity it takes to be sincere in a world so crazy as ours.

15. Time heals everything

Whether it’s a broken bone or a broken heart, time is the solution. Unfortunately, time is usually not on our side in life. It’s always going too fast or not fast enough. And as cliche as it sounds, we have all heard the saying “it’s a bad day, not a bad life,” yet there is so much truth is this statement. We all have low times in life where things will seem to be going in every direction except the direction we want. When this happens, focus on you and focus on what you have control over and ride out the storm. Let time pass and heal. Everything in this life is temporary.

16. Be flexible

Yes, life is getting more serious and adulting is learking around every corner, but this does not mean that you need to turn into some cold, distant person of stone. Learn how to balance work and fun. Don’t take anything too seriously so early in your life. Be silly and see the good in situations that don’t lean in your favor. When you're asked to get up and do karaoke or dance to that song you loved in 8th grade, do it! Don’t lose your inner child in the midst of becoming an adult.

17. Boys are as relevant as the weather in Italy

Unless it is the case that you are traveling to Italy in the near future, the weather is irrelevant. I’ll let you connect the rest of the dots. Boys are nice and they’re fun to have around but they are not worth crying over at 3 a.m. on your best friend's floor. If I’ve learned one thing, it is this: If a relationship is not making you stupidly happy and a better person, you must leave. In your 20’s, you are far too young to be fighting for some half-felt feelings for a guy you barley know. Do yourself a favor and don’t play games when it comes to your heart. Be open and honest about your wants and future goals for the relationship. If the feelings and goals aren’t mutual, it’s his loss and your gain. Flip your hair and walk on by.

18. Take care of yourself

Do a face mask. Drink water. Eat healthy. Just be good to yourself. Whether this is physically, mentally or spiritually, always set aside time for yourself. Find time to reflect and put yourself back together and in a place of peace. Don’t neglect yourself because at the end of the day you have to live with you.

19. Thank your parents

Thank them frequently and whole-heartedly. Your parents are the people that brought you into this world, protected you from harm, and have raised you to be the person you are today. Thank them for pushing you, thank them for loving you, thank them for being there when you need them the most. Your parents are human, not immortal. There will be a day when they no longer will be a part of your life, but will be a memory.

20. Everything in life is an option

You are obligated to do absolutely nothing in this life. The things that you need to do in order to survive in this world, your body does automatically. So please, never think that you must do anything if you don’t want to. Of course, opting out of somethings, such as class, come with consequences, but that’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons.