In spirit of turning 21 this past Sunday, I thought it would be nostalgic to talk about 21 things I have learned in my 21 years of living -- did I say 21 enough in that sentence? Well, I'm turning 21 in case you didn't notice. So if you are at all curious of what a normal person on the verge of 'adulting' has learned, here you go:

1. Not everyone is going to like you, and that's OK.

As humans, we generally want people to like us, and take it extremely personally when someone doesn't. The older I get, the more I realize I can't please everyone. And trust me, it gets exhausting. Stay true to your own morals and values and the right people will come in and out of your life.

2. Stop procrastinating.

Whether you're procrastinating on that six-page paper on the history of the English language, or maybe that really tough project proposal for your boss, stop right now. Procrastinating only leads you to not produce your best work, and it's exhausting. Plus, if you really want to be an adult, you will turn stuff in on time because that's what all adults do, right?

3. You don't owe anyone an explanation.

Not feeling like hanging out with that one friend? Or not feeling like wasting your time by pretending to care about something or someone you don't? Well, the answer is easy: Stop. Respect yourself and be strong in your decisions; no one else needs to know your reasoning but you.

4. Quality over quantity.

This can apply to a lot of different things, I think. For me, I have learned that it is a lot more gratifying to have those people of quality in my life rather than just relying on quantity. Having five close friends who truly care about your well-being is worth a lot more than 10 friends who couldn't care less about you. But it's up to you to figure that out.

5. Make the tougher decision.

Making tough decisions is, well, you know, tough -- but it's necessary. Tough decisions allow us to think a lot about our actions, and that is extremely important. Make the tougher decision and you will thank yourself later for it.

6. Cut people out of your life who don't deserve to be in it.

This is one of the hardest parts about becoming an adult: Learning who is worth your time and who is not. Nothing sucks more than not being friends with someone because of how they treated you. But that's the thing: You need to think about yourself and your future. So I dare you to ask yourself, "are these the type of people I want in my life? Do they help me be the best person I can be?"

7. Look out for yourself.

We are taught to not think solely about ourselves because we don't want to come off as selfish, but sometimes being selfish is a good thing. Think about yourself and what you want to do with your life. I mean, someone has to.

8. Travel.

If your bank account will allow it, travel! Go out into the world, meet people from across the country and experience things you would have never gotten the chance to experience. You will learn so many things about yourself you didn't even know existed.

9. Call your parents.

The older I get, the closer I get to my parents. Why? Well, because I realize how much of a sh*t child I was. No, but really, the older I get, the more intimate conversations I can have with my parents, and I am forever grateful for that.

10. Be vulnerable; it's not a flaw.

Being vulnerable is one of the most beautiful things someone can be (in my opinion, obviously). Making the first move to see a friend or hang out with a love interest, or reaching out to make amends with that friend who really hurt you in the past, can all do wonders for closure. Be the one to text first; those receiving your love will appreciate it.

11. Tell you friends and family you love them.

Tell the people important to you that you love them, because who knows what can happen in this crazy world? The older I get, the more I realize I am not invincible -- and neither are the ones I care about.

12. Ask for help when you need it.

Whether you are struggling with that homework assignment, or even your mental health, help is always out there. Don't be afraid to ask for it.

13. Take care of your body.

OK, I may be a hypocrite here, but taking care of your body is important. Whether that means going to the gym (ha, who does that anyway), eating healthier (or this), taking a mental health day, or not over-working yourself, taking care of your body should be your number-one priority.

14. Sometimes you have to "take the L."

Losing happens, and sometimes you just have to accept that you can't be perfect at everything. Cut yourself some slack, for your sake and everyone else's.

15. I really don't know anything at all.

All I know is that I know nothing. And that's OK.

16. There are no loop-holes.

This isn't high school anymore, people. You actually have to work hard to get what you want. The world is a competitive place, and there are no cheat codes or loop-holes to jump through. Sorry, you're just like the rest of us.

17. Be politically active.

Vote. If your country gives you the privilege to vote -- use it! Stay up on politics, watch the news every once in a while, stay involved -- we are the future, you know.

18. Don't make time for the people who don't make time for you.

Do not -- I repeat, do not -- go out of your way for people who wouldn't do the same for you. It's exhausting, trust me, and ultimately you are just wasting time. It's not worth it.

19. Always trust your gut.

Going to a concert with a friend you don't know so well and maybe you just have a bad feeling about it? Yeah, don't go. Trust yourself -- always.

20. Be nice to everyone.

This should just be a rule of thumb -- be nice to everyone. Not overly nice by going out of your way for everyone (including strangers), but just nice. Smile, say hi, wave, give a compliment; just be nice.

21. And guess what? You're still here.

2016 was a rough year for a lot of us, I think, but hey, we're still here. Maybe you went through a break-up or two, a family emergency, or some personal stuff, but you're still here. Hang in there; that's one of the most important things you can do.