I just turned 21. Woohoo! ...Right? This birthday is so glamorized as the day you become a full adult. At 18, you can smoke legally in most places and die for your country. You can even sign your own paperwork - very exciting stuff. But 21 in the United States lets you do that stupid thing you associate with adulthood: drinking as much alcohol as you can get your hands on. But in my 21 years, I've learned how to moderate what I eat, drink and do among other life lessons. Here are some beneficial practices I've figured out at 21 that anyone could gain from. And as an added bonus, I'm narrating this piece with pictures from my life.

1. Everything in moderation. No, really.

While I want to eat everything, drink everything, and go everywhere now that I have access to so many things as an adult, it saves a lot of time, money and stress to just say, "Nah, b. But thanks!"

2. But going all out can be worth it.

Yes, that's a picture of me with 16 grapes in my mouth. You know why? Because it was worth having fun with my friends and doing something goofy. You can do the same with any project, job application, outing or anything that you care about. Because it's' worth it.

3. Do that thing. REALLY.

As previously mentioned, I have a hard time accepting failure. But I'm figuring out how to do things without the assumption that I'll completely finish them or do everything right. While that should be the goal I strive for, it doesn't always work that way. So hey, go skydiving or do that workout you're really scared of. It won't be as scary once you do it.

4. Learn something new.

Keeping your brain active keeps diseases like Alzheimer's at bay to an extent according to the Alzheimer's Association. So keep mentally active! Take that class. Prepare for a long life with a lot of boring moments. Keep books on hand. Do a crossword. I have a hard time standing still mentally and physically so growing my knowledge continues to be an active pass time of mine.

5. Remember something old.

That's a picture of my dad in his Batmobile from his childhood. While I only just saw this picture in the recent years, it was nice to see someone I knew at a different age in a different period of their life. I also like taking pictures evidently. Recording my life and the lives of others is important to me and will help me remember my life when the memories fade. Take some time to snap that photo or write about your day. You'll appreciate it through the years.

6. Take your time.

That's my friend's cap from graduation. He spent 5 years in school figuring out what he wanted to do. He now has a degree, experience in environmental policy and conservation and a beautiful fiance he will marry in the next couple of years. I'm currently out of school for financial reasons and have plans for graduate school. While my job isn't career-oriented, I'm taking my time to figure out what I want just like my friend did.

7. But not too much time.

If I had waited to go abroad until I was out of school, I wouldn't have met these wonderful people during my semester in Scotland. And as I wait anxiously for the next round of school applications to approach, I'm reminding myself that standing still means missing opportunities like this.

8. Figure out your own healthy routine.

I had a summer where I was exercising six times a week and in the best shape of my life next to 11-year-old Emily who did karate. But I got back in school and couldn't keep up a workout routine and school. While I weigh more now and don't exercise like I did that summer, I can still hike and eat healthy like nobody's business. That's my brand of healthy. Figure out what works for you and strive for your healthy.

9. But it's okay if you don't always stick to it.

Yes, that's me with a piece of Denny's bacon as a mustache. Because I like bacon. We all have guilty pleasures. And we don't all use them every day. Again, I'd like to down bacon every day. But I have it in moderation rather than limiting it from my life. Your healthy routine can include treating yo'self because you deserve to be treated.

10. Make some new friends.

My friend (pictured above) was the only American in a flat complex of four flats when I first got to Scotland. She was from a different region in the USA and we had little in common as far as where we came from and what we studied. But we shared a lot of the same music taste and ran a lot of events like Thanksgiving for our international friends. I wouldn't have talked to her otherwise. Try going places alone or joining groups where you'll meet new people. It can be very rewarding to make new connections.

11. Contact some old friends.

These ladies are my sisters, my comrades and my friends for life. I call or text them often and see them when I can as we are spanned across the country. There are also other old friends I run into and message from time to time. It's worth remembering your time together and feeling confident in the relationships you retain.

12. Expand your music taste.

There's Spotify options that create playlists of new music. Quit listening to the same old tunes. I'm now a Belieber and a part of the Bey hive thanks to my music expansion. Just do it and thank me later.

13. Go to a concert.

On a whim, I ended up seeing the Fratelli's in Glasgow with a friend from my block. It turned out that we went to the first music hall that they performed at having been from Scotland. Neato! It's always great to see bands live and hear their banter and see that they're human. Plus, it's great to rock out. Music makes you feel alive so go live in the music!

14. Go to a new city.

This trip was in the middle of winter at the end of Winter Fest in Ottawa. We lived close to the Canadian border and wanted something to do during a school break. Turns out Canada was close and it made a great day trip. Just getting out of the place you live sometimes and going somewhere nearby can be fulfilling - even if you're freezing your butt off in Canada.

15. Go to a new state.

I'm from Colorado but live in New York and visit Colorado often. It changes every time I go back. Depending on where you live, a different state could be hours if not minutes away. Try exploring places farther out a learn more about different places. For instance, I learn every year that the "Drumming up the Sun" event for Colorado Pagans, a ritual centered around the winter solstice in December, is getting bigger every year and that there are a lot of Pagans in Colorado. They celebrate at the Red Rocks Amphitheater (pictured above).

16. Hell, go to a new country!

Just do it. Get your passport and go somewhere. I knew the language in Scotland, but it doesn't matter if you know the language. Just go. Goooooo.

17. Try touristing everywhere.

The best way to refresh the places you always are is to tourist the hell out of it. While I live in New York and go to the city often, I learn new things about the place every time I go. Whether you're into history, science, or oddball exhibits and festivals, there are always things to do that are open to everyone, tourists and natives included.

18. Visit home.

Whether you live five minutes or five days from where you're from, it can be good to visit home, family and friends. Of course, not everyone has the best home life from where they came from. But there's always something good and nostalgic that you can find in the place where you grew up. Shout out to my gorgeous grandma (pictured above).

19. Try saving some money.

Whether it's cutting your own bulk watermelon or skimping on your preferred clothing brand, there are ways to save money for all of this travel you're planning. While I work often, I'm saving money constantly for graduate school and the student loans I'll have to start paying soon. Draft a lifestyle that's affordable and livable.

20. But still have fun.

I got this tattoo in Scotland to commemorate my time there. It was 160 pounds or about $260. While I could have saved that money for rent or a better car, I chose to splurge. And it was fun. And beautiful. Remember that not everything you do has to involve your responsibilities. You deserve your own thistle tattoo equivalent.

21. And remember, no matter how seriously you take yourself or feel like you're not doing well, you're still a person growing and living and learning along with the rest of us. It's okay.

Happy birthday to meeeeeeee.