20 years. Two decades. 7,300 days. However you look at it, twenty years is a decent amount of time. To some that might be nothing, but at the age of 20, you can argue that you’ve lived through a lot. I definitely think I could make that argument.
With living, comes learning. So here are the twenty things I’ve learned by the age of twenty.
1. Some friendships aren’t meant to last forever.
This one is hard to learn, but unfortunately it is very true.
2. You’re tougher than you think.
And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
3. Do your own thing.
Chances are by the time you’re twenty you are living on your own. Take advantage of this and do your own thing for once.
4. Lazy days are a need, not a want.
With school, friends, family, a job, and all your other obligations, it’s easy to run yourself down. It’s okay to lie in bed all day and not get out of your pajamas every once and while. In fact, it’s good for you.
5. Take care of yourself first.
I struggle with this one A LOT. I put other people before me and while this is a good thing sometimes, you have to know when to put yourself first.
6. My mom is a superhero.
This is one of the more important things I’ve learned. It was easy for me to forget how awesome my mom was when I was younger. I quickly learned that mom’s are complete badasses and we should never take them for granted.
7. Spend time with your grandparents.
If you are lucky enough to have your grandparents or even your great grandparents in your life, you should spend as much time with them as you can.
8. Hobbies are important.
Everyone should have something that they love to do that helps them to de-stress.
9. Stand up for yourself.
This one is very important. You can’t let other people walk all over you. You have to have the courage to stand up for yourself and what you believe in.
10. Don’t waste your time on negative people.
You don’t need negativity in your life. One of my favorite quotes is, “respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy”.
11. You can’t please everyone.
It’s literally impossible. No matter how hard you try, there will always be someone who has a problem with something you do. Your job is to ignore these people and just keep doing you.
12. Take any chance you get and travel.
It doesn’t have to be anywhere exotic. Even if it’s just a weekend trip to a place an hour away. Take any chance you get. Traveling is good for the soul.
13. Make time for the things that count.
Lunch with mom, a girl’s day with your best friend, a movie night with your sister. These are the things that matter most.
14. Exercise.
Yeah, I know it sucks. But it really does make you feel better!
15. It’s okay to not be the strong one every once and while.
I hide my emotions a lot because I feel it’s my job to keep it together. However, that’s not healthy. It’s okay to breakdown every once and while. Let someone else be the strong one. It’s okay.
16. Always be yourself.
If someone doesn’t like what you wear or love the way you sing in the car, that’s their problem, not yours.
17. Your hometown will always be your home.
No matter where you go in life and no matter where you end up, your hometown will always be home.
18. Life goes by really fast.
It’s crazy really, how fast life goes and how quickly things can change. Try not to let anything pass you by.
19. Save your money.
It sucks because there are a lot of cute clothes in the world but the truth is rent is way more important than a new pair of jeans.
20. Most importantly learn to love yourself.
This is very important. Probably the most important thing I’ve learned. It’s easy to think that your worth is only measured by how many people love you, but that’s not true. You have to love yourself, and you have to love every piece of yourself. You have no reason not to, you are beautiful.
