Well, I've made it to 21 years on this planet; that's a pretty cool accomplishment. It's felt like a long 21 years, but I imagine it's that way for everyone. I often feel reflective when this time comes around, so I might as well write an article that reflects that. Like many people, I've picked up on many lessons that have taught me and molded me into the person I am today. There are many things, however, that I wish I'd learned sooner than I did. Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't trade the life I've lived for the world. I'm so grateful for what has influenced me and for the people I've met along the way. I can't deny, though, that I wish I'd saved myself the trouble. I figured that maybe I could save you guys the trouble, or maybe you can relate to some of these things yourself.

Here are five things I wish I'd learned sooner than I did:

1. Just let it go.

I've always had this problem; I get so upset with people, and I never let it go. I've even gotten upset about things that didn't really happen! I've always wanted to feel right and have felt like I was the victim. I still feel this way a lot of the time, but I've also learned how to let go a little more. I wish I could have learned to do this sooner so that I wouldn't have spent so much time being angry and distracted. Although I can't go back, I can forgive and let go now before I cause any more damage!

2. It's okay to be single.

It might be easier for me to say now that I have a boyfriend, but I feel like I've matured in this area. Getting a boyfriend has actually helped me realize that I don't need one (not that they aren't great). I spent so much time being worried and upset over guys who didn't really care about me that I was sad and distracted all the time. I didn't work on myself. I wish I'd learned this sooner, but I'm so glad that I did.

3. You can't do this alone.

I've always had a lot of great people in my life willing to support me, but I pushed them away. I wanted to do things by myself, and I wanted to keep everything to myself. I thought I could handle it, and I didn't want anyone else butting in on my business or thinking I wasn't strong enough to handle myself. I was wrong. I ended up isolating myself and becoming super lonely. When I opened up and let people help me, I found that my problems were easier to handle. It's amazing what a friend can do to encourage and help you.

4. It's not the end of the world.

I've always been a pretty anxious person. Everything felt like the end of the world, and the only way that I learned to deal with it was to stress and ruminate on it every second of the day. I let anxiety run my life and determine what I would and wouldn't do. I realized that no person can live like that or at least really live like that. I wish I'd learned that when I was younger to avoid all the trouble I got into with anxiety, but I'm glad I learned it when I did.

5. I'm not bothersome.

This is something I never really realized I felt until recently. I was always worried about making people happy, and I hoped they wouldn't get angry with me, to the point that I let myself get stepped on, and I never spoke up. I kind of closed myself off to make sure people accepted me. I also didn't want to share my problems so that people wouldn't be burdened by them. Now I realize that no one who truly loves you will think of you as or treat you as a burden. I wouldn't do that for someone else, so they shouldn't do it to me.

We all make mistakes, and part of life and growing up is learning how to live with them. I hope that you've learned these things too, but if you haven't or if you're still working on them, I encourage you not to give up. Life is hard sometimes, but it doesn't have to be impossible.

I guess I'll also say happy birthday to all the other January babies. Good luck!