21 years may not, in the long run, seem like a really long time. However, it is one of the first significant ages for most people. It's like you're born, your 10th birthday because you're in double digits, your 13th because you're a teen, your 16th birthday because you get to drive and people start calling you a young adult, your 18th because you can buy lottery tickets when your family is too lazy to, and finally 21. At 21, you're probably out of the house--but no one judges you if you aren't--and you can do pretty much anything you want except for rent a car. As my 21st quickly approaches, I've been thinking about all the things I've learned in these 21 years.

1. Sometimes life sucks.

Sometimes you've just gotta accept that life is gonna suck today or this week or this month or this year, but you'll get through it and you'll look back on it one day and laugh or at least be glad that it made you stronger.

2. Enjoy the good times.

Don't spend the good moments worry about all the shit that could possibly mess it up. The minute that you do, you'll be the one messing it up, not all those things you thought would. Plus they go by so quickly. One minute, you're holding your new baby cousin while wearing your middle school swimming shirt and the next, she's sitting in your lap and you're listening to her talk about wanting to be a paleontologist when she grows up while her little sister terrorizes yours.

3. Take a lot of pictures.

Everyone always tells you this, but it's so true. Every time I think of a trip or a family gathering that I didn't take a picture, I curse myself for not thinking of my future-self. Speaking of pictures...

4. Take some candids.

Those posed pictures are nice and all but candids are so amazing. They are some of my most treasured pictures and I think my mom would agree. The picture above my mom caught after a softball game when she was trying to get us to take a nice picture. Yes, it might be frustrating when your friends or family won't pose right, but use it to your advantage. Candids will show you how people truly felt in that moment.

5. The fight is almost never that bad.

Whether it's with your sibling, your best friend, your parent, or your significant other, it's almost never bad enough to just throw away that relationship. Now granted, there are times when it is totally a-okay to throw it away. If it's a toxic relationship, drop it and drop it quick. Or if you're just generally unhappy, it's fine to be done with that relationship. But I remember seeing my parents fight once when I was younger and when we came home that night, everything was fine. They just needed some time to think about things and cool down and I've always taken that philosophy and it's almost always worked.

6. It's okay to let go.

Of people, of grudges, of memories, whatever. It's okay. It's also okay to be upset that you did or that you have to.

7. Everyone needs a good cry sometimes.

Even if you're like me and you can't stand crying in front of people or just crying in general, you have to admit that it feels good. In theater, we call it catharsis, the sudden release of emotions, and it is beautiful. Whenever I need a good moment of catharsis, I'll sit in my living room or bedroom and watch a movie I know always gets me –– it usually ends up being Rent or Les Mis.

8. It's okay to let someone back in.

Sometimes life just doesn't work out at the time. Maybe because you were both just too different or you didn't have time for one another, but just like it's okay to have let go of the resentment you held for that person in the past, it's okay if you want to let them back into your life in the future.

9. Getting hurt is just part of the process.

Physically, emotionally, mentally. It's all a part of life. I used to fall off my bike all the time when I was little and had a busted-up, healing knee every week. Now, I fall down and it hurts and there might be a bruise but my knees almost never get cut up anymore. I've had my fair share of heartbreak and now I think I know what I'm looking for and what I need in a life partner. It's all been a part of the process and it will change and continue until the process is over.

10. Music is magical.

Okay, maybe that's a bit of an over exaggeration, but you know what I mean. Music is something that can set a new tone, help mend a broken heart, or put you to sleep. Music almost never hurts anything in any situation.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously.

Yes, this too is something else everyone always says, but you can never hear it enough times. Learning to laugh at yourself is one of the most important skills you learn in life, I think.

12. Whatever you want to do, do it.

I spent so much of my life trying to learn this lesson and I'm so grateful I did. Now I am being taught to do the things I love most in life. Forget all the practicality and logic of it for just a second and just do something you want to, even if it might not work out.

13. Get outside at least once a day.

Even if you're just outside reading a book, get out there and enjoy it. One day will never be just like the next and you may regret staying in for that Netflix marathon and missing it.

14. Don't try to compare your life to everyone else's.

You don't know what they went through or are going through. Your life is the only one you get, so, make the most of it.

15. People can't read minds.

If you want something, you have to ask for it. If you don't, you may never get it. Simple as that.

16. Give time to time.

I actually heard this somewhere else along the way and it has stuck with me since. People always say time heals all wounds, but it's hard when you don't know how much time something will take. You just have to give time some time to work.

17. Believe in love and miracles.

They happen every day, so, give them a chance or you'll miss one happening to you.

18. Be open to learning new things, always.

If I've learned nothing else from my education classes, it is this.

19. Use your common sense.

We all have it and the minute you don't use it, even you'll think you're an idiot.

20. Guess and be wrong.

I've learned this from one of my theatre ed professors and think it is a good lesson both in education and in life. The fear of failing is so real and can hold you back from so much.

21. The best is yet to come.

The current best day of my life is when I got to see Hamilton in Chicago. That day will change again when I get married, if I have kids, etc. It only gets better from here.