They say these are the best days of your life, but what we don't always recognize is that your 20s tend to be some of the hardest years you will ever experience.

And sometimes, they are most instrumental years in the development of your character. You face more adversity than ever before. You develop educated opinions and you often learn quite a bit about love. You make mistakes, and you gain large successes.

22 specifically, is a year of change. With that said, here are 22 lessons I lived and learned when I was 22:

1. Loving someone doesn't make them right for you.

2. Falling OUT of love is OK.

3. Your intuition tells you more than anyone else ever could.

4. Creativity is a gift not all possess, so explore yours.

5. Every single day is a chance to be the person you wished you were yesterday.

6. The Law of Attraction is real.

Think about, focus on, and attract the good things. There is no room in your life for negativity. Reject it completely.

7. Your dog understands when you say "I love you."

8. Light a candle, put a record on, and enjoy some time alone.

You don't always need to be with others to feel fulfilled and alive.

9. That boy who hurt you won't ever understand all the pain he caused you.

There's no use in trying to explain it. Write it down and move on.

10. Politics are important, but not everyone needs to know your opinion.

11. Pills aren't always the answer.

It's amazing what regular exercise, a healthy diet, and the commitment to positivity can do for your mental health.

12. You are as happy or as unhappy as you choose to be.

13. His new girl will figure it out.

14. You are not the first or the last that a so-called "friend" will back-stab.

And they are probably not the last person who will ever do you wrong, either. Be thankful for the experience and what it taught you. Don't say anything you don't mean. Walk away from the experience with dignity and self-respect.

15. Be very clear about what you expect out of someone, what you need from them emotionally, and what your intentions are.

It allows the other person the opportunity to make a decision based on your honesty.

16. Be careful who you allow to occupy your time.

Time is one thing in life you cannot get back, and the biggest mistake you could ever make is wasting it with people who just don't "get it."

17. Build a fortress of positivity by surrounding yourself only with people who lift you higher.

Energy is constantly disseminated, and you will pick up the negativity of anyone in your circle. It affects your life more than you recognize, and it stems from their true nature and intentions - not who they say they are. This is where you need to listen to your intuition.

Do not waste your time with people who don't recognize the power of their energy.

18. Always assume good intentions unless someone proves to have ulterior motives.

19. One of the most important things you can ever learn to understand is your own emotions.

Do not run from them. Every feeling is valid. Instead, accept them. Allow yourself to feel.

20. Speak positively, yet humbly to yourself.

21. No matter how much you try, you will never be able to make it work with the wrong person.

And no matter how hard you try to fight it or how badly you screw up, you will never be able to screw it up with the right one.

22. Peace comes naturally when you learn acceptance.