With my twentieth birthday just around the corner, I've realized that a lot has happened in my twenty years of living. I graduated high school, came to college, joined a sorority, made lifelong best friends, have the greatest boyfriend. But, also in my twenty years of living, a lot has changed. My parents divorced, I lost a lot of friends from back home, I've struggled in some of my classes. After twenty years of living, I've really learned a lot about not only the world around me but myself. I'm not the same person I was at age 12, 15, or even 18. It's crazy how quick life flies by, and this is just a short list of things I've learned in twenty years of living.
1. Netflix is the greatest invention to ever come about.
Without Netflix, I don't know where I'd be. Netflix is just a click away for the perfect background to a nap, set up for a night of binge-watching, or a date night with your significant other.
2. Never turn down pizza.
Pizza is always the move. Whether it's deep dish, thin crust, or homemade, pizza is always the right choice to make.
3. Traveling is always a good idea.
Traveling and seeing the world is such a blessing. Being able to just hop on a plane and go wherever you want is the craziest thing. I've gone to California twice, and I'm going again this summer. Being able to travel and see new things makes life amazing.
4. Eat the bowl of ice cream or that slice of cake.
Just eating one dessert won't' make you 'fat'. Eat the dessert, it's not going to make a difference.
5. Procrastination will always kill you in the end.
Putting off work until the last minute might seem nice, but really it's just going to bite you in the butt in the end. Staying organized and on top of things is really the best way to be.
6. Working through college sucks, but it is the right thing to do.
Working through college is tough, but it helps you prepare for the real world. It shows you how to manage your time, and gives you a little bit of money coming into your account while you're trying to push through school.
7. Get involved.
Both in high school and in college, I really have tried to get involved in as much as I can. It's a great resume builder, and it also gives you great experience in life.
8. Your friends in college are some of the greatest people you'll ever meet.
College isn't about finding the man you want to marry, it's about finding the best girlfriends to stand up at your wedding with you.
9. It's okay to lose friendships.
Girls suck. That's the truth. It's okay to lose friendships, sometimes we grow a part and that's okay.
10. Never go shopping without a coupon.
I only shop on two conditions, 1- only buy things if you have a coupon, and 2- never pay full price for anything.
11. Just because you think you have money, you're in college...you don't have any money.
12. Never take free laundry or a homecooked meal for granted.
Family time is the best time, don't take it for granted. Some of the best days are spent just hanging out with my mom or hanging out at my grandparents house, not having to worry about school or work.
13. Time is such a precious item.
Time flies by so quickly. Never take a second for granted, because in the next moment an opportunity might be gone. Whether you're in a long-distance relationship and won't see your significant other in awhile, your family member passes away and you can't speak to them anymore, or you run out of time to get everything done in a day, you can't take time for granted.
14. Life is better with a dog.
Dogs are the greatest animal to exist. They're always there for you, always make you smile, and love you unconditionally.
15. Put your phone away in class and actually listen to the professor lecture.
Being on your phone during class isn't going to do anything for you. Put your phone away and listen to your professor, it'll help you retain knowledge better and help you actually focus on what you're learning.
16. The beach is the best place on Earth.
You can never go wrong with the beach- warm sand, hot sun, the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. That is the greatest place on Earth.
17. The number on the scale is just that, a number.
The size on the scale does not reflect who you are as a person or what you will do with your life. The number on the scale is just a number, it doesn't define you.
18. You don't have to know what you want to do with your life.
Just because you choose a major once, doesn't mean you have to stick with it. College is about finding yourself and what you want to do and be for the rest of your life. You don't have to decide at 18 what you want to do until you're 65.
19. Cherish a good night's sleep.
Getting to sleep in, or sleeping for more than 7 hours is the greatest feeling, never stop loving that.
20. Life is really, really good.
I might only be turning 20 years old this year, but I've learned so much in my first two decades of life. I'm finally not a teenager anymore, and these next ten years are going to be spent working on myself. Making a name for myself, becoming who I want to be. Because without individuality, who are we? Here's to twenty years young, and hopefully to many, many more.
