When I turned 19 I told myself I was going to make my last year as a teenager “Lit”. If this was the last chance I got to be a kid, I was going to make memories for when I turn old and “Can’t move like I used to”. When I was 19 turning 20 I finally learned how to swim, lived in Hawaii for 5 months, learned to love my alone time, and when to push my boundaries. These are 20 lessons I learned when I turned 20 that I wish I learned sooner but I’m glad I know now.
1. Travel as far and as often as you can.
Go cliff diving, zip-lining and try crazy new foods. Experience a different culture and see how other people achieve happiness. Who knows? You might like living closer to nature and family more than a busy “9 to 5 plus overtime” or vice versa.
2. Learn that people can change and don’t be afraid to leave them behind.
It’s a fact that as time goes by people change. A friend you’ve known for years can turn into a person with negative vibes. If there’s a harmful person in your life not willing to change, find better people to spend your time with.
3. Know when to push yourself out of your comfort zone but don’t let others force you.
Why live a life filled with “what if’s”? Life is unpredictable, so don’t miss out on amazing opportunities and adventures because you’re afraid of trying new things. Be open to new experiences but don’t let others pressure you into something you’re not ready for.
4. Be aware of your habits
You can be the type of person who workouts every morning,2 or watches Netflix for hours eating junk food every night. Whatever your habit is, be aware they can carry on later in your life without you knowing it. Bad habits are hard to break so try to nip them in the bud now.
5. Find what you’re passionate about and pursue it.
Once you find what you love doing, figure out a way to make it your career.
6. Learn how to handle confrontation.
From roommates to best friends and even parents, by the time you turn twenty you’ve had to handle an issue with someone. Learn how to fix a situation without holding a grudge by talking through any rough patches.
7. Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection. -Mark Twain
8. Love your natural self unconditionally.
9. Embrace anything that makes you different.
The world is a diverse place. Things would be awfully dull if everyone looked, behaved and thought the same way.
10. Don’t let others take advantage of you.
People might try to take advantage of your nice personality. Keep your eyes open for those people who might just use you for money, attention or a slew of other things.
11. Don’t base your views on other people’s opinions.
Form your beliefs around facts and information important to you, don’t believe in something simply because someone else is doing it.
12. Realize that everyone doesn’t have the same heart as you.
“Common sense” isn’t so common. Similar to that, what might seem as an obvious way to behave to you, might not to someone else. Keep in mind people don’t have the same mindset as you.
13. Promote yourself and your work.
Don’t keep your work a secret. Shamelessly promote yourself or no one will.
14. Make friends with people who are productive.
You can learn from the people you surround yourself with.
15. Balance work, school and social life
Time management is key! If you don’t try to organize your time, chances are you won’t get everything you need done.
16. Put in the work or you won’t see the results you want.
How can you expect something phenomenal to happen when you produce mediocre work?
17. Procrastination isn’t funny anymore.
Many 20-year-olds with social media can relate to the memes about procrastination, laugh and continue to scroll. Procrastination can be addicting, but we need to learn how to be in control of our actions.
18. Happiness is a choice.
You can decide if you want to be happy or not.
19. Do something every day that makes you happy.
20. Do something every day that’ll make you proud tomorrow.
