I turned 21 this week. How'd that happen so fast? When a milestone like a birthday arrives, I find myself contemplating on what has lead me to where I am. Now that I've been on this planet for 21 years, I've learned about myself, the world, gardening, sloths, relationships, cooking, dancing, traveling, expressing myself and happiness. Here are some exciting things I've learned in 21 years.

1. Finding friends who are as weird as you is extremely important for your happiness and sanity.

The best friends I've ever made became by friends when I decided to be completely and unapologetically myself. By being who you are, you'll attract people who are like you. Needless to say, I've attracted a bunch of weirdos. I wouldn't trade them for the world.

2. Your parents just want the best for you.

I know that sometimes it can seem overbearing, annoying or frustrating, but spending time with your parents is important. I've learned to remember that all of the unwanted advice and invasion of personal space is all out of love.

3. Always be kind and patient towards customer service workers.

I was never particularly rude to people who work in retail or the restaurant business, but it wasn't until I worked there myself that I fully understood how important this is. After working retail, I'm much more patient and understanding than I've ever been. You never know what that person is going through, and most of the time the issue you're upset about isn't their fault. Just treat them like humans.

4. Eat healthy and take care of your body, but also know when to treat yo' self.

Taking care of yourself is really important. This means making smart, educated choices about food, exercise and lifestyle. And yes, that includes the occasional treat.

5. See your embarrassing moments as opportunities for really good stories.

Just learn to laugh at yourself. When you take those embarrassing moments and focus on the humor in them, then you'll be less self conscious. On the bright side, you'll have a great story to tell your friends.

6. It's okay to cry.

Sometimes, you just have to let it out. Don't feel ashamed or dumb for crying, because we all do it. I cry more than a lot of people – if I'm too happy, too sad or too frustrated, I'm crying. I've learned that sometimes it's okay to get it out of your system and let the tears and ugly sobs come.

7. Find something that cheers you up whenever you're down.

While it is okay to cry, don't let those tears keep you down for too long. Find things that you love that always cheer you up. For me, it's being outside, coffee, yoga and videos of baby sloth sounds. Those will never fail to make me feel better. (If you're sad, go look up baby sloth sounds. It will change your life.)

8. Don't be ashamed of what you love to do.

As long as your passion isn't harmful to others or yourself, you should embrace it. If you love chess, scrapbooking, trombone, backpacking, quilting or scuba diving, then you should feel free to express yourself through that. Don't focus on what others think – just do what you love.

9. Don't settle.

Just because something is easy or handed to you doesn't mean you have to accept it. This goes for your job, your friends, your significant other, all of that. Be smart, make the best choices you can and don't forget what you want.

10. Tell people you love them and why.

Everyone needs to hear it. Say it when you mean it, and make sure you say why. It is validating for the people around you, and it's another way to spread happiness.

11. Learning about plants when you're young will not only equip you for future landscaping projects, but it will also impress all older women in your life.

I worked at a greenhouse for two summers, and honestly it wasn't always the greatest. However, I learned a lot about different plants, how to care for them and how to identify certain types. I've been able to impress quite a few grandmothers because of my flower knowledge. It's fun to be able to point out and name plants when I'm out and about, even though my friends grow tired of hearing me say "That is the most beautiful purple clematis I've ever seen!"

12. Don't let judgmental people get to you.

Honestly, they aren't worth it. If people feel the need to judge you or tell you what to do, then they don't deserve to have a say in your life. Remember that there's a big difference between constructive criticism and hurtful judgement. Embrace the good feedback, but don't let negativity stop you.

13. Try new hairstyles and colors.

It's hair. It'll grow. Take that risk – you could even become a My Little Pony for a few months.

14. Ultimately, be with someone who makes you happy.

Don't get me wrong, it's important to listen to your friends and family. They know you really well, so their input on who you decide to be with should matter to you. But remember, ultimately it's your decision. It's your life, and you are the only one who can make those choices. And, if you're lucky, you'll find someone who your friends and family love as much as you do!

15. Have opinions.

Care about stuff, and speak your mind. Don't blindly go with the flow without thinking hard about what you believe. It's important to know what's happening in the world, and to form intelligent opinions about major topics. Don't shy away from what you stand for.

16. Master the basics in the kitchen.

Don't let cooking be intimidating! Take risks, and know that it's okay to mess up. We've all confused salt and sugar before. If you're not a chef, start with a few basics. By mastering a few techniques and recipes, you'll be able to pull a few random ingredients from your fridge and whip up an awesome dinner.

17. Ask hard questions and welcome the deep discussions that come.

If you want deep, lasting relationships in your life, you can help cultivate those by asking difficult life questions. By doing so, you can get to know people in a new way that goes beyond surface level. The discussions and disagreements that come out of asking tough questions can increase your intelligence and make your relationships stronger.

18. Don't let jealousy keep you from being happy for someone.

We've all been there. Someone posts on Facebook that they're finally going on their dream vacation to Bora Bora, and you scowl. It's easy to let jealousy be consuming instead of congratulating the person on their new adventure. Being happy for someone is way harder than being jealous of them. Keep in mind how toxic jealousy can be, and remember to be content with your situation.

19. Ladies. JUST TELL THE GUY WHAT'S WRONG.

Women are complicated. Guys aren't mind readers. If you're upset about something, you have to be open and honest about it. I know in the past I've assumed that a guy will know what's going on and he'll make me feel better. However, that's not the case. If you say "I'm fine," he will assume that you are. Be honest, and your entire relationship will be worlds better.

20. Try everything once.

You'll never know unless you try! This rule goes for trying new foods, going somewhere new or trying a different activity. There's so much out there, and if you never try anything different, then you'll never grow. Who knows, maybe cliff diving will be your new passion!

21. Enjoy where you are.

It's always okay to look back on and reflect on what's happened, and it can be exciting to look ahead to the future. But it's easy to forget that there's a lot to be thankful for and happy about in the here and now. You know the saying – there's no gift like the present.

With that said, I'm going to go enjoy being 21. Until next year, at least.