It may seem odd and even out of place for someone who just turned 21-years-old to reflect back on what it was like being a teenager. It was just a few short years ago. People (including me) change week to week and month to month, which only makes me realize that I've changed over these last few years, learned lessons and have had sudden realizations.

Now that time has passed and I've gained perspective, here are some things that I wish I knew when I was a teenager:

1. It’s not that your friends now dislike you or don’t enjoy spending time with you; they just want to be part of the “in” crowd.

2. Don’t put your time and attention into these people. The ones who put in effort now will also be there for you later.

3. Whispers behind your back do not define who you are.

4. You’re going to let the things that people say get to you for a little bit, but you’ll soon realize that you defined yourself long before anyone else tried to do it for you.

5. The “most important” people in your life now were never actually the most important.

6. In a few years, you’ll look back and realize who actually was there for you and they’ll still be there.

7. One day you’re going to have to worry about inviting TOO many people out for your birthday.

8. People are going to speculate about who you spend your time with and why.

9. Ignore it. Ignore it. Ignore it.

10. There’s a difference between gracefully growing apart and someone ripping the rug out from underneath you because you no longer serve a purpose to them.

11. If something doesn’t feel right (location, person, etc.), then it probably isn’t.

12. People think your interests are weird now, but in a few years everyone’s going to think it’s the coolest thing ever.

13. Stand up for yourself more.

14. Stand up for your friends.

15. Stand up for strangers too.

16. If you fight with a friend like you fight with your siblings, then that’s your best friend.

17. You can forgive and miss people without taking them back.

18. Being nice DOES get you places.

19. Smile more.

20. Karma is real.

21. Tell that one person who ALWAYS gives you a hard time to screw off. You’ll feel better.

22. You’re going to be thankful that you felt this way in a few years.

23. You’re going to lose someone important, but something great will come of it.

24. Your confidence in a few years will shock you.

25. Order the chicken tenders.

26. You should’ve started going to the gym yesterday.

27. You would’ve never guessed that life would be the way it is now.

28. You’re going to be just fine.