At the end of this month, I will spontaneously transform from teenager to (young) adult. So in the spirit of growing up, here are my 20 things to do before turning 20.
1. Learn how to love yourself
Self-love isn't something they teach you in school, but it is one of the most important things you'll ever learn. Surround yourself with people who build you up and support you.
2. Dream about the future
Planning for the future is never a bad idea.
3. But don't forget to be here now
This was one lesson I learned senior year of high school, when the illustrious college experience was just a summer away. It is so so so important to enjoy the life you have right now, because you can't live your life dreaming of the future.
4. Learn how to be alone
So much of the "teenage experience" revolves around friends and parties and generally being around other people. And while that is not inherently bad, it is equally important to learn how to be alone without being lonely.
5. But surround yourself with people who make you happy
It is equally important to find your "people." The friends that will be there no matter what. Find them, and hold on to them, because they are going to be important way after graduation.
6. Fall in love
And no, I don't mean with a person (though I guess that's okay too). Fall in love with a subject or a job or a lifestyle. Figure out what your passion is and then go do it.
7. And experience heartbreak
No matter how hard you try, you are going to experience heartbreak at least a few times in life. And that's okay. But I think its important to experience it now, while still in the "semi-real world" to learn about yourself and develop coping strategies. This can be anything from losing a loved one to being rejected from an internship. Whatever your heartbreak is, learn from it and walk away a better, more self-aware person.
8. Figure out what is important to you
The important things will be easy to identify: family, academics, sports, friends, music, etc.
9. And hold those things close
But figuring out how to cherish and continue doing the important things will be harder. Life is a balancing act, but no matter how busy or stressed or tired you are, making time for the things that matter will always be possible.
10. Call your parents
They have years of experience and tons of (mostly) good advice. Plus they're probably pretty cool, at least now that you've moved out of the house.
11. And make sure the people you love know it
Life is too short to forget to say "I love you." So just do it. Tell your friends, tell your siblings, tell your grandparents. Make it a habit, because there is no guarantee that you'll see them again.
12. Step outside of your comfort zone
I have been outside of my comfort zone more times in the last three months than I have been in it. And because of that, I have grown more than in the last three years combined. There is a whole world out there beyond the walls of your comfort zone, and it is so important to push those boundaries.
13. Travel
And I'm not talking about the kind of travel that involves a checklist of tourist attractions and minimal interaction with the locals. I'm talking about the "I-haven't-slept-in-three-days" life-changing kind of travel.
14. And don’t be afraid to get lost
Of all of my life experiences, some of the best ones have happened because I have either intentionally, or unintentionally gotten lost.
15. Challenge your beliefs
You never know how much you will learn until you talk to people who have a different perspective. Seek those individuals out and listen to what they have to say.
16. And be open to change
Change is one of the most certain parts of life. It is going to happen and if you are open to it, it will provide amazing opportunities and experiences.
17. Make mistakes
Its what teenagers are supposed to do! (But seriously, don't do anything stupid just because you're a teenager.)
18. But learn how to fix them
Part of growing up is acknowledging that you make a mistake, and then fixing it. It isn't fun, but it is necessary.
19. Take a second and reflect
Age might only be a number, but it is a pretty good marker for the passage of time. It is important to look back on the time spent on this earth and to learn from the past.
