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22 Lessons For My Younger Self As I Turn 22

"We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way. It's miserable and magical." - Taylor Swift

Emily Kratzer

Dec 02, 2019

Longwood

22 Lessons For My Younger Self As I Turn 22

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I'm not really feeling 22, but I wanted to take some time and reflect on what I've learned over the years.

1. People WILL come and go.

And it WILL be okay. Every stage of life will bring new people.

2. You have to be the priority for you.

Take care of yourself before worrying about others. You have to learn to be your own priority and care for yourself in order to be your best self.

3. Sometimes you have to make difficult choices, but they have to be made.

Down the road, it won't be as big of a deal and won't feel like as big of a hardship.

4. Not everyone is meant to be friends.

At the time, losing a "friend" feels like the end of the world. It's hard to accept, but at the end of the day, not everyone is meant to be friends and that's okay!

5. Your family will always have your back.

There will always be differences - BUT, family will always have your back and always be there as a support system.

6. Take care of yourself before taking care of everyone else.

If you don't take care of yourself, it is hard to continue forward - especially when times get tough!

7. The good times will outweigh the bad.

As time moves forward, the burden will lessen and you will not feel the pressure as much as you did in the moment.

8. Spoil yourself every once in a while and enjoy it!

You deserve it! Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise!

9. What seems like the end of the world now will be so minuscule down the road.

The broken hearts and friendships are part of life and will seem so small and silly once you reach the next chapter.

10. Consider the bigger picture, not the tiny elements.

The end result/picture is what is really important - not all the hardships and hurdles it takes to overcome and get there.

11. Make time to enjoy life.

The homework, work, and other obligations can wait and take a back burner every once in a while. Enjoy life so you don't regret it down the line.

12. Show people you care instead of just telling them.

It's cliche, but actions do speak louder than words. Use your actions and show people that you care, it goes much further than speaking how you feel.

13. Always work to grow your relationships.

People grow and change and so do relationships - we're talking about family, friends, significant others, peers, etc.

14. Don't force yourself to do things that make you unhappy.

Just because your friends enjoy something doesn't mean you have to. The most "college" example there is would be going out to a party and/or drinking. The fact of the matter is you don't have to enjoy it nor do you have to do it and THAT'S OKAY.

15. Don't try and change yourself or your beliefs or goals (etc.) to please others.

You are who you are for a reason! Never allow someone else's opinions or views to overrule who you are or how you feel.

16. However, be open to constructive criticism.

Those who truly care about you have your best interest at heart when they offer constructive criticism. You should always take it with a grain of salt, and consider it before taking it seriously, but chances are they mean well and may have a point in their suggestions.

17. Work hard - put the necessary time and effort into everything you do.

The work you put in will reflect in the end.

18. Take care of yourself always, not just when things get hard.

Self-care is important year-round, not just when times get tough. If you're already struggling and then something else happens, you'll be digging yourself into a deeper hole over and over.

19. Find peace with difficult situations.

It takes time and it's so much easier said than done, but finding peace will offer you the ability to truly move forward.

20. At the end of the day, forgive but don't forget.

Everything happens for a reason. It is okay to forgive and move forward with everything, but don't forget the hurt or pain you felt in the moment.

21. Know your limits.

Obviously this can be applied to drinking, but it also applies to your mental health. Learn your body, learn what you can and can't handle at certain times.

22. Don't take everything so seriously.

Laugh it off, let it go - enjoy everything life has to offer!

Here's to my Taylor Swift year - cheers!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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22 Lessons For My Younger Self As I Turn 22

"We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way. It's miserable and magical." - Taylor Swift

1. People ​WILL​ come and go.

2. You have to be the priority for you.

3. Sometimes you have to make difficult choices, but they have to be made.

4. Not everyone is meant to be friends.

5. Your family will always have your back.

6. Take care of yourself before taking care of everyone else.

7. The good times will outweigh the bad.

8. Spoil yourself every once in a while and enjoy it!

9. What seems like the end of the world now will be so minuscule down the road.

10. Consider the bigger picture, not the tiny elements.

11. Make time to enjoy life.

12. Show people you care instead of just telling them.

13. Always work to grow your relationships.

14. Don't force yourself to do things that make you unhappy.

15. Don't try and change yourself or your beliefs or goals (etc.) to please others.

16. However, be open to constructive criticism.

17. Work hard - put the necessary time and effort into everything you do.

18. Take care of yourself always, not just when things get hard.

19. Find peace with difficult situations.

20. At the end of the day, forgive but don't forget.

21. Know your limits.

22. Don't take everything so seriously.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

1. People WILL come and go.

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