Let’s be honest. Adulting sucks, and it’s a pain in the ass, but we all go through this process one way or another. There are some people who, on the outside, look like they know exactly what to do and how to do it, but on the inside, they are internally screaming and are winging every decision they make.

Adulting is learning how to rely on yourself and involves a long trial and error process. I’ve heard many life analogies that result in being told to stay positive and that eventually, everything will work out even when plans change.

I used to be a person who had my whole life planned out, at least the next 10 or so years. I remember last semester I created a 10-year plan and was determined to follow it.

As much as I wish I could have followed that plan, I didn’t, and I'm glad it fell through.

Life, in all honesty, is like a never-ending roller coaster with all the ups, downs, twists, and turns. Last year, in comparison to this year, is night and day, and here’s a story to explain why:

Two years ago, I attended a college that was 900 miles away from my hometown and was a place where I did not know more than three people, nor did I have any family in the area.

At the time, I was fresh out of high school and had never lived on my own. During those two years, I learned how to ride public transportation along with cook my own meals, clean my apartment, and learn how to financially take care of myself while keeping up with school work and deadlines.

During my time away, my education and organization at home consumed my time, but I still felt an empty space and soon realized it was because I lacked a social life. I worked on my education and had a part-time job, but I was not involved with school activities, clubs, or athletic events. I later realized that I needed to make a change and balance out my schedule. I decided that I was not satisfied with the place I was living and needed to make a change.

After graduating with my associates, I decided to transfer to a different school where I changed majors, joined a sorority and a business fraternity, took on the task of being the vice president of activities in the fraternity, joined an online writing journal, and got a job. A lot has changed over the period of two years, including every twist and turn imaginable, and everything that has changed has been for the better.

Long story short, I continue to keep a busy lifestyle. I continue to slowly understand that what I have planned for myself in the moment, is not exactly what will pan out as the way I intended. It may be hard, but my advice to all of you is to trust that everything happens for a reason.