As much as I thought I would never make it to this moment, my twentieth year of life on this earth has arrived. I can finally say I'm a "twenty-something". I know I technically became an adult at eighteen, but now it somehow feels more real – I am no longer a ‘teen’. And the fact that I am becoming a real adult is petrifying. However, I have learned a a few things along my journey of becoming twenty.

1. Forgiveness does not happen overnight.

Forgiveness takes time. Your pain and sadness does not simply vanish when you say “I forgive you”. However, forgiveness is worth it.

2. You have to learn to laugh at yourself.

You are going to make many mistakes in your life. When you make these mistakes you cannot be so hard on yourself, you have to know when to laugh at yourself and move on.

3. Speak your mind.

I’ve been told not to speak my mind many times, but screw that. Don’t listen to those people. Speak up about what you believe in and stand up for what is right.

4. Learn from your mistakes.

Making mistakes are a part of life. Every mistake is a lesson for you to learn from.

5. Do not judge people because they aren't just like you.

Everyone is different. Never judge someone because they may look differently or act differently than you. We are actually more alike than we are different.

6. You're going to change your mind, and that's okay.

When you’re young you think you have your whole life figured out. However, you are going to change your mind and opinions the older you get, and that is completely okay.

7. Get use to change, because it's inevitable.

If you're a person that hates change than you’re going to have a difficult time with life. Life is contently going to throw you curveballs, and you have to learn to roll with the punches.

8. Family will always be there for you.

My family gets under my skin as much as the next person. Family is loud, annoying, embarrassing, and crazy, but at the end of the day they are all you have and they will always love you.

9. Your friends are a lifeline.

Friends are everything. They listen to rant, whine, and cry. They give you great advice when you need it. And they keep you sane when you think you are about to lose it. Always keep them close.

10 Karma is real.

Yeah, the whole ‘what goes around comes around’ is very real. Trust me.

11. Don't take life so seriously.

If you can’t find the humor in life, then what’s the point in living?

12. Keep your glass half full.

I struggle with this the most, but to keep and positive life you have to keep and positive mind.

13. Live fearlessly.

I know it’s difficult, but life truly does begin when you leave your comfort zone.

14. Get rid of toxic people.

Get rid of the people who constantly bring you down and suck the life out of you. You deserve better.

15. Do not rush life.

Every stage of life is special. Stop wishing you were 21, or finally out of college, or had the career of your dreams. Life goes by fast, so enjoy the ride.

16. You don't need anyone to make you happy.

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me “So when are you going to get a boyfriend?” I’d be worth millions. I have been making myself happy for twenty years now, I do not need a dumb boy to make me happy.

17. You get back the energy you put out.

This piece of advice is a little hippie-ish, but it’s true. If you put of negative energy towards the world, the world will give back negative energy. And vice versa – If you put put of positive energy towards the world, the world will give back positive.

18. The sun will rise.

No matter how horrible a day, week, month, or year you have had, the sun will rise again tomorrow and you will keep going.

19. Treat yo self.

I think this one speaks for itself. Treat yo self, you deserve it.

20. Love yourself.

At the end of the day it’s just you and yourself. I know it’s hard, but you have to learn to love yourself, because living with your worst enemy is not healthy.