I just recently entered my first year as an adult as I turned 20. For me, 20 is a conflicting age. I am entering my early adult years, which means I am entering an entire new world of responsibilities, and for the most part I will be on my own. In my 20s I will (if all goes as planned) graduate from college, get my first "big-girl job," live on my own, navigate a new city and its lifestyle, and potentially fall in love. But on the other hand, 20 also is the youngest, most free I'll be in my adult years. It's a time to keep responsibilities to a minimum, be crazy, and make mistakes and actually get away with them. Because I lean towards the more spontaneous and crazy side, all of this got me thinking, and I came up with a list of 20 things every 20-year-old should read, see, taste, listen to, and overall just experience.
1. Leave the country.
2. Read Lena Dunham's "Not That Kind of Girl."
3. Buy those shoes.
4. Learn to clean up after yourself.
5. Try authentic cuisine from another country.
6. Be inspired by a cause or change you would like to see in the world.
7. Take the stairs.
8. Prepare and enjoy a meal by yourself.
9. Listen to your music as loud as you want.
10. Date around.
11. Go to an amazing concert.
12. Thank your family for putting up with you.
13. Try a yoga class.
14. Discover the perfect karaoke song.
15. Learn to be alone and enjoy it.
16. Establish a solid group of friends.
17. Go on a road trip.
18. Learn to like coffee if you don't already.
19. Read some form of news each day.
20. Find yourself -- whoever you decide you are at this age.
This list may be random, but that is exactly what it's supposed to be. We shouldn't limit ourselves, especially when we are young. Twenty is the time to let go, live a little, and discover who we are and aspire to be.