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22 Lessons For My Younger Self As I Turn 22

"We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way. It's miserable and magical." - Taylor Swift

Emily Kratzer

Dec 02, 2019

Longwood

22 Lessons For My Younger Self As I Turn 22

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1. People WILL come and go.

And it WILL be okay. Every stage of life will bring new people.

2. You have to be the priority for you.

Take care of yourself before worrying about others. You have to learn to be your own priority and care for yourself in order to be your best self.

3. Sometimes you have to make difficult choices, but they have to be made.

Down the road, it won't be as big of a deal and won't feel like as big of a hardship.

4. Not everyone is meant to be friends.

At the time, losing a "friend" feels like the end of the world. It's hard to accept, but at the end of the day, not everyone is meant to be friends and that's okay!

5. Your family will always have your back.

There will always be differences - BUT, family will always have your back and always be there as a support system.

6. Take care of yourself before taking care of everyone else.

If you don't take care of yourself, it is hard to continue forward - especially when times get tough!

7. The good times will outweigh the bad.

As time moves forward, the burden will lessen and you will not feel the pressure as much as you did in the moment.

8. Spoil yourself every once in a while and enjoy it!

You deserve it! Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!

9. What seems like the end of the world now will be so minuscule down the road.

The broken hearts and friendships are part of life and will seem so small and silly once you reach the next chapter.

10. Consider the bigger picture, not the tiny elements.

The end result/picture is what is really important - not all the hardships and hurdles it takes to overcome and get there.

11. Make time to enjoy life.

The homework, work, and other obligations can wait and take a back burner every once in a while. Enjoy life so you don't regret it down the line.

12. Show people you care instead of just telling them.

It's cliche, but actions do speak louder than words. Use your actions and show people that you care, it goes much further than speaking how you feel.

13. Always work to grow your relationships.

People grow and change and so do relationships - we're talking about family, friends, significant others, peers, etc.

14. Don't force yourself to do things that make you unhappy.

Just because your friends enjoy something doesn't mean you have to. The most "college" example there is would be going out to a party and/or drinking. The fact of the matter is you don't have to enjoy it nor do you have to do it and THAT'S OKAY.

15. Don't try and change yourself or your beliefs or goals (etc.) to please others.

You are who you are for a reason! Never allow someone else's opinions or views to overrule who you are or how you feel.

16. However, be open to constructive criticism.

Those who truly care about you have your best interest at heart when they offer constructive criticism. You should always take it with a grain of salt, and consider it before taking it seriously, but chances are they mean well and may have a point in their suggestions.

17. Work hard - put the necessary time and effort into everything you do.

The work you put in will reflect in the end.

18. Take care of yourself always, not just when things get hard.

Self-care is important year-round, not just when times get tough. If you're already struggling and then something else happens, you'll be digging yourself into a deeper hole over and over.

19. Find peace with difficult situations.

It takes time and it's so much easier said than done, but finding peace will offer you the ability to truly move forward.

20. At the end of the day, forgive but don't forget.

Everything happens for a reason. It is okay to forgive and move forward with everything, but don't forget the hurt or pain you felt in the moment.

21. Know your limits.

Obviously this can be applied to drinking, but it also applies to your mental health. Learn your body, learn what you can and can't handle at certain times.

22. Don't take everything so seriously.

Laugh it off, let it go - enjoy everything life has to offer!

Here's to my Taylor Swift year - cheers!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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22 Lessons For My Younger Self As I Turn 22

"We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way. It's miserable and magical." - Taylor Swift

In This Article:

1. People ​WILL​ come and go.

2. You have to be the priority for you.

3. Sometimes you have to make difficult choices, but they have to be made.

4. Not everyone is meant to be friends.

5. Your family will always have your back.

6. Take care of yourself before taking care of everyone else.

7. The good times will outweigh the bad.

8. Spoil yourself every once in a while and enjoy it!

9. What seems like the end of the world now will be so minuscule down the road.

10. Consider the bigger picture, not the tiny elements.

11. Make time to enjoy life.

12. Show people you care instead of just telling them.

13. Always work to grow your relationships.

14. Don't force yourself to do things that make you unhappy.

15. Don't try and change yourself or your beliefs or goals (etc.) to please others.

16. However, be open to constructive criticism.

17. Work hard - put the necessary time and effort into everything you do.

18. Take care of yourself always, not just when things get hard.

19. Find peace with difficult situations.

20. At the end of the day, forgive but don't forget.

21. Know your limits.

22. Don't take everything so seriously.

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1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

2. When there is only one section of a popular course.

3. Receiving the 18,000 emails reminding you to register ASAP.

4. When you need to see an advisor, but they are too busy/unresponsive.

5. Trying not to dress like a bum for your appointments with your advisors/department heads.

6. When you have a perfectly planned out schedule, and one class ruins it.

7. Carefully moving things around to accommodate a different class/section.

8. Waking up at 6:00 a.m. for your enrollment time.

9. Concocting a new schedule at your enrollment time after your original plan gets changed.

10. Getting into a class and filling the last available seat.

11. When all of your classes finally go through.

12. Realizing that you forgot a class that was a pre-requisite for everything else.

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4. When it's 2 AM and you remember you have a test tomorrow.

5. When you finish taking the test and you're pretty sure you failed...

6. ...but then you get the test back and somehow passed.

7. When you've been up for 12 hours straight writing a paper.

8. And then you manage to stay awake in class the next day.

9. When you have to butter up your professor for an extra credit opportunity.

10. When you're assigned a group project.

11. And your group-mates are trying to chat about life instead of the assignment.

12. When it's your last class of the day and you're about to go home.

13. But then you remember rent is due tonight and the anger comes back.

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