With college coming to an end, and your mid-20's rapidly approaching, it's nice to sit back and reflect on all the important things you've learned in life. The people you face and the problems you have been presented with have undoubtedly made you the person you are today. These are some of the important things I've learned in the past 23 years of my life.
1. Apologize to yourself.
There is a reason this is No. 1. Though you feel like you’ve been on this planet forever, you’ve made some mistakes and you will continue to make them. You need to learn not to beat yourself up because at the end of the day, you ultimately have yourself, and you need to be OK with the choice you make.
2. Take more pictures.
Document your experiences, not just your perfect hair day with an Insta-selfie. Take pictures of all the things you want to remember. One day, you’ll want to show someone important that one picture of something that changed your life.
3. Keep your friend circle small.
I’ve learned that having a lot of different friends in ten different friend groups is more of a headache than it is helpful. Yes, it’s nice to know a bunch of people all the time, but keep your close circles small. It leads to less drama, and you tend to stay close for years to come.
4. Spend time with your grandparents.
This is important. We never realize how much our grandparents care about us. Yes, they slipped you a fiver here and there, but I mean they really care. They brag about you to all their friends, and they melt every time you come around. Take the time to stop by or even give them a quick phone call. You’ll never know how much it means to them.
5. Appreciate where you currently are in life.
You will graduate college, you will get the job, you will get married, and you will be happy. Life takes its time to make sure you’re ready to handle certain situations, and you will eventually get there. Just because some girls from high school already have a ring on their finger and your best friend moved all the way across the country, remember that you will get there eventually. Relax.
6. Keep up with your health.
It’s easy to let your health go to the side when you’re a busy body. Make time to hit the gym a few times a week and go for the water instead of a Pepsi every once in a while. Your body will thank you.
7. Unplug for a while.
In today’s technology based world, it seems like we are constantly on our phone. Heck, you’re probably scrolling through this article on your phone right now, but here’s something important I’ve learned. Put down the phone sometimes. The texts can wait and the social media will be there when you pick it back up. I’m not saying this do this forever, but try it for 30 minutes every once in a while. It will change your life.
8. You can and will be replaced.
Harsh, right? I know, but there will always be someone to eventually take your place. Someone else will take your place as team captain, or as prom queen. You’ll come back home to realize that there’s a group of girls just like you and your friends once were. You’re going to be replaced, but that’s because we all move on.
9. Don’t live for anyone’s approval (except your own).
You have to live with yourself. You need no one else’s approval to continue on with your life. So, say goodbye to the nay-sayers and the people who always told you that you wouldn’t make it and prove them wrong. Start every single say with confidence and live your life how you want to.
10. Don’t feel guilty for breaking up with him.
You loved him, you did. We all know you did. But he wasn’t right for you. You fought, you cried, and you ultimately ended. Don’t you dare feel bad for making the decision that has ultimately bettered your life and is the reason you are moving forward. And don’t ever let him make you feel guilty for moving on with your life without him. You were fine before him, and you’re better without him.
11. No one knows what they’re doing.
Anyone who tells you otherwise is full of it. Your high school class president and his five-year plan has probably crashed and burned, and if not, good for him (he probably didn’t think he’d make it either). No one has it figured out, so don’t sweat it. Fake it til you make it; everyone else is.
12. Order the pizza.
You know when you’re laying in bed at 8 p.m. thinking about pizza? Just order it. It’s not going to kill you, and that alone isn’t going to be the reason you gain one pound. (Just don’t do it every day). You probably deserved the pizza, so just freakin’ do it.
13. Know what your body is telling you.
Your body knows when it needs a break, so listen to it. If you’re sick, don’t go to school. You can make it up. If you’re tired, take the 45-minute nap you’ve been thinking about all day.
14. Karma is real.
It might not hit you right at once, but it will come back and get you. You know the saying, “Treat others how you would want to be treated?” Follow it because it’s true.
15. Listen to what your elders have to say.
Whether it’s your 80-year old grandmother, or your brother who’s two years older than you, they’ve been there before you. There’s always going to be someone older and wiser, and they’re probably going to know more than you, so listen to what they have to say.
16. Competition isn’t everything.
And if it is, you should reevaluate immediately. There is more to life than fighting for the boy you like, or not getting to be the line leader. Two people can be successful at the same thing, and sometimes there will be someone who is more successful than you. Don’t be selfish, and share the success.
17. Be silly.
Unless it’s in a professional setting. Turn on the Spice Girls and dance around your apartment with your roommates. Have fun. Don’t take life so seriously sometimes, no one gets out alive anyway.
18. Pay attention to details.
This doesn’t just mean in your college classes you dread going to. This means remember the type of candy your bff loves, or your boyfriend's favorite movie. Surprising people with the amount of details you know can take you further than you ever know.
19. Don’t settle.
Not with boys, not with a job, not with anything! Strive to reach your best in every aspect of your life. Just because you're making money doesn’t mean you love your job, and just because he says “I love you” doesn’t mean he treats you well. Don't ever settle!
20. Be selfish.
Don’t let others take anything away from you. Know what you deserve and be selfish in your happiness. Don’t be cocky, but take what you know you deserve and learn to be OK with being selfish with your happiness.
21. You can't change people
No matter how hard you try, you will never get them to change. You have to decide if it's worth your time to stay in their life, but if they don't want to change, you'll never get there. You can't change people, you can only love them.
22. Forgive.
You are always going to face something that seems to hurt you in life. Your boyfriend is going to break up with you, and that one girl is going to spread a rumor about you in high school. Learn to move on. Forgive that person because they are subsequently making you a stronger person. Holding a grudge will follow you forever and you will make yourself miserable, so forgive and move on.
23. Change is GOOD.
If you’re like me, you’re afraid of change. You hold on to everything because you don’t want to see it going, and you get upset thinking about the future. The truth is, the future is an open book of possibilities and change. Change is inevitable, and it ultimately helps your grow into a bigger and better person.
Your twenties are the time in your life to grow and learn what kind of person you are. Respect yourself, know what you deserve and enjoy the ride, because you'll never get this awesome time in your life back.
