I’m at the point in my life where my teen years are coming to a close and a whole new chapter is going to begin. As I’m reflecting on the past two decades of my life and getting ready to begin the next part of my life, I’ve decided that there are some things that I refuse to do in my 20’s.

I refuse to settle for anything less than I deserve, whether it’s relationships, friendships or jobs. For many years, I’ve let myself settle for things that were less than what I deserve. I’ve worked jobs that treated me poorly, I’ve dealt with friends who took me for granted and I’ve dealt with friends who tried to change who I am. In my 20’s I refuse to settle for anything less than what I know I deserve--no matter what it is.

I refuse to apologize for who I am and what I want. I’ve had so many people act like who I am wasn’t good enough and I felt the need to apologize for not fitting their image of what I should be. I refuse to apologize for being who I am anymore--no matter who I end up becoming.

I refuse to keep comparing myself to others. There will always be someone prettier or smarter or more qualified than me. I’ve had to come to terms with that through the past few years. In my 20’s, I refuse to keep comparing myself to other people. I realize now that everyone is different and that’s what makes everyone special.

I refuse to give up when I’m going after the things that I want. I have goals for my future and the only way I’m going to get there is if I don’t give up when things are difficult. I don’t want to lose a great opportunity because I gave up halfway through.

I refuse to work too much. I work nearly 40 hours a week right now. In my 20’s, I want to spend less time working and more time living. I don’t want to work for a paycheck, but I do want to work for a passion.