I know I’m still young and have a lot of life left to live, but in my 21 years here on earth, I’ve learned quite a few lessons. Some lessons were learned the hard way while others worked out with every odd in my favor. Since turning 21 a couple months ago, I figured that listing out all my life lessons would not only help myself but maybe a few others as well.

1. Everything happens for a reason.

Yeah, I know it's cliché, but honestly all the good and the bad things that have happened to you are what make you the person you are today.

2. Call your family.

2Whether you are calling for a good thing or bad thing, your family always wants to hear from you. No texting or messaging behind a screen, give your mom, dad, grandparents, whoever a call and tell them you love them.

3. Be protected.

The older we get, the more terrain we cover as people when we move from our hometown to a university and then into the professional world. Protect yourself. People will take advantage of you and pretend to be your friend just to get what they want.

4. Go with the flow.

There is nothing worse than getting angry over something that is out of your control. Learn to brush the hard times off your shoulder and go with the flow; you will be much happier in the long run.

5. Take more photos.

Nothing is more sentimental than seeing photos from years ago. Take pictures of you and your friends and all of your adventures now, so that later in life you can look back and reminisce on the amazing times you’ve had.

6. Go adventuring.

Nothing is worse than getting caught up in the routine of everyday life. Take the time to go on an adventure or do something out of your comfort zone.

7. Be healthy.

You are only given one body, take care of it… but also eat lots of chocolate.

8. Work hard.

Nothing is more frustrating than people expecting to get something they didn’t earn. Success only happens when hard work meets opportunity.

9. Friends come and go.

You will develop best friends that turn out to be completely different than they let on to be. That is okay. This is how you learn to move on and find friends that value the same things that you do.

10. Never give up.

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Things will always work out in the end, you just have to keep pushing through and never give up.

11. Don’t obsess over love.

This is the number one thing you cannot over think. When the right person comes along, you will know. So until then, enjoy the journey in front of you and let love find you.

12. Be yourself.

You have to be painfully and honestly yourself while walking through life. There is no better feeling that being authentically you and having no fear of showing people that.

13. Be respectful of everyone.

Each person comes from a different background with a different story to tell. You never know the pain of another person, so be respectful of each person you meet.

14. Love yourself.

You will never be able to love another person unless you learn to love yourself first.

15. Let yourself feel real feelings.

Nothing is worse than burying your emotions inside of you. You have to be happy and laugh until your stomach hurts, but you also have to cry until there’s nothing left. This is part of life and a huge part you cannot suppress.

16. Your parents are right 99% of the time.

This one needs no explanation.

17. Don’t change for someone else

This is the fastest way to lose sight of everything that is important to you. Don’t lose yourself in someone else.

18. Don’t make time for people who don’t make time for you.

Why would you want to be friends with someone who only wants you when they need you? You deserve better than to surround yourself with people that you are “convenient” for.

19. Read more.

Get lost in a good book. Find a cute coffee shop or a room with a view and remember what it’s like to read from real pages instead of staring at a screen.

20. Don’t be bitter.

You won’t always get the apology, you won’t always understand why people are so cruel, and you won’t always be able to help someone. Don’t be bitter about it. Pick yourself up and move on.

21. Make the most of every single day.

Life is too amazing to waste. Take advantage of every day and make sure you are doing something to benefit tomorrow.