With my twentieth birthday looming on the horizon, I've taken a step back to evaluate the way things have been so far. I made it through middle school, I learned how to drive a car, I went on my first cruise, and I graduated high school. These events allowed me to learn a lot of things. some of which came from a positive place and others coming from a negative place. Although I've learned more than twenty things over the course of my long twenty years, here are the twenty most impactful things that I've learned so far.

1. Self-Love is the best love.

Even though I'm still on my own journey to self-love, I have learned that looking for love in yourself is one of the best ways to become truly happen. You have to learn to accept yourself, flaws and all, and truly love everything that is you. Stop trying to look for that love elsewhere and find it in yourself.

2. Don't sweat the small stuff.

I have spent so much valuable time being upset about small, insignificant things. Looking at things that I've let negatively impact me in the past that ended up not mattering at all (even though they really seemed to at the time) makes me feel so crazy. Like... did I really need to have an entirely bad day because I got a B instead of an A on a quiz? No. A week later and I don't even remember what that quiz was about.

3. Practice Yoga

There are some serious benefits to yoga. Through the practice of poses, breathing and meditation, you just feel calmer. I decided to take it as a class this semester and going into the class I'm usually very stressed and running around like crazy, but when I leave, I feel better and like I actually have a grip on this crazy thing I call my life.

4. If a boy doesn't want to date you because of the way you look, he's not worth it.

I mean, seriously. It took me a long time to learn this but if someone is going to judge you based on your skin color, your bra size, or how long your legs are, they're not someone that deserves your attention anyway.

5. Eat that piece of pizza if you want it.

I had to learn this the hard way. It is OK not to be on a diet 24/7. Even if you are on a diet, it is OK to have that piece of pizza if you want it for your cheat meal. If you don't allow yourself to indulge occasionally, you binge later and feel even worse. Just avoid all that and eat the dang pizza, please.

6.Collect moments, not things.

This is probably the most important thing I've learned. Those name brand jeans and that Gucci bag are really not the important. What is important is surrounding yourself with good people and good experiences. Take that money for that Gucci bag and go on a road trip with your BFFs.

7. Figure out what you love to do, and do it.

For me, I love to listen to music and I love to go to the beach. So I try to find time to do those things whenever I can. Doing what you love keeps you happy and can help keep your stress levels down.

8. Being alone isn't always a bad thing.

Sometimes, alone time is nice. It gives you a chance to collect your thoughts and figure things out, especially if you're working through things. Aside from that, it's nice to hang out with people but sometimes it's not to just hang out with yourself and be your own best friend.

9. There's nothing wrong with not going out on a Friday night,

This kind of goes back to #9. FOMO is a serious thing, I know. But it is really OK to stay in on a Friday night and do some homework or watch Netflix with your roommates.

10. Don't forget to make time for your family.

When I moved away from home last year, I didn't think I was going to miss my family as much as I did. Now I try to make sure I text my mom every day and call her at least once a week. It really helps to stay connected in those relationships, because family (especially my mom for me) is so important.

11. Wear as much or as little makeup as you want.

I've learned I don't need to put a full face of makeup on just to go to class, but I can if I want to. Wear however much or however little makeup you want. Whatever feels best to you, do that.

12. Find those few people you vibe with, and keep them around.

In high school, everyone wants to have lots of friends and be "popular". In college, you're around so many people all the time and it's almost impossible to do that with everyone. Find those people that you really bond with and keep them around because you're going to go through stuff, and they're going to be the ones to hold you together.

13. Look up occasionally.

All day long we walk around with our phones in our faces. We really should look up more often. So many interesting people are passing by, so many cool places... taking the time to actually your surroundings is SO nice. The stuff on your phone will still be there in a few minutes.

14. Smile at people.

I'm sure we've all been there. You're having a bad day and you're walking down the street or just sitting at a table in Starbucks and you accidentally make eye contact with someone and they give you the biggest smile. It feels good, right? Imagine doing that for someone else.

15. Don't let your fear hold you back.

My yoga instructor made us do a headstand once, and everyone was SO scared to do it. He said, "It's not that you can't do it; it's that you're scared and your brain is telling you that you can't." Even though he was talking about a yoga pose, that can be applied to anything. Telling someone you like them, studying abroad, cutting all your hair off.

16. Don't compare your journey to someone else's.

You are not your roomate, or your best friend, or that girl that sits beside you in class. You are who you are, and you've lived through experiences that have lead you to where you are down to this very second. Your experiences and path is not going to be the same as anyone else's, so even if that girl in class is an English major like you, don't let the fact that she's taking two upper level englishes while you're still in your lower level deter you.

17. If you have a secret spot that makes you happy, go to it as often as you can.

My favorite spot is at the Folly Beach lighthouse. If I can go there at night sometimes, I like to because there are big rocks that touch the ocean that you can sit on and think about things. The first time I went out there, I laid on those rocks for hours looking at the stars and listening to the waves. If you have a place like that, go to it as often as you can.

18. Hug your pets.

They love you so much. Just hug them.

19. Put yourself before others sometimes.

It's okay to be a giving and caring person, but sometimes we get caught up in trying to live up to other people's expectations of us without focusing on what it is that WE want. You're important and even though it's hard to put yourself first, sometimes you have to because otherwise, you'll completely exhaust yourself.

20. #treatyo'self

If you've been looking at that $60 sweatshirt in the bookstore for a whole semester, then buy that sweatshirt. If you need a new laptop, don't try to guilt yourself out of buying it; just get it. You're important girl and you deserve to treat yo' self.