I constantly find myself reflecting on the aspects of life that I would consider the most important and vital components to my existence during my adolescent years. It's baffling to think that there once was a period of time where I couldn't see past high school and all of the petty issues that consumed my life at the time. With that being said, here are 20 things I wish I knew before my 20's! Hopefully, these lessons will help at least one of my readers who have been in a similar situation.

1. Popularity is NOT more important than real friends.

This was one thing I never really would admit to myself in high school — that I actually cared about "popularity" and being considered "cool." There was a point in time where I cared more about being invited to parties than hanging out with my weirdo real friends. Once you get to college, you realize how silly it was to actually be concerned about such feeble matters. You can recreate yourself and your life to whatever you want it to be, and your real friends are the people you'll want in your life for years to come. Don't ever bail on those who have been there for you forever just because they aren't necessarily "popular."

2. Take a second to put your phone down and enjoy the moment.

As millennials, we grew up around technological advancement and social media. Sometimes it feels as though people will do things (such as going out) solely to take pictures to prove they were there. When you do this, you're basing your experiences more on how other people perceive your life more than actually enjoying the moment. I also constantly see my friends glued to their phones instead of actually paying attention to the people they're already hanging out with. Sometimes you just need to set the phone down and enjoy the moment.

3. Relationships can be great, but you have to remember to put yourself first from time to time.

I constantly have put someone before me, whether it be friends or significant others — I always look out for the interest of others because it is in my nature to help people. You have to remember to put yourself first sometimes, regardless of how it affects others. It may seem/be selfish, but if your happiness is constantly being undermined for the happiness of another, perhaps you should be reevaluating your relations with that person rather than putting in more time and effort.

4. You create your own happiness.

I know it's hard, trust me... I know. But it's also the truth. Regardless of the circumstance, you create your own happiness by how you react to the situation. Obstacles are given to test our limits, and to surpass our limit. Every reaction we have demonstrates who we really are. You can sit there and wallow in self-pity when tough times come your way, or you can grow stronger from the difficulties you've been given and rise above them. Regardless, it's up to you if you can overcome yourself. If you can overcome your own mind, you can overcome anything.

5. Be proud of who you are.

I spent years overthinking and beating myself up by how I thought others perceived me. Someone would say one small insult and I would constantly just replay the words over and over again in my head till it tore me apart. Don't ever let anyone have that much control over you because honestly, some people are simply just cruel and so miserable with their own lives that they want to spread their terrible attitude to other people.

Being "weird" or different is something to embrace, screw conformity and what society considers "normal." You should never let feeble minded matters destroy your own mind. What people say about you is not your concern if you know you're a good person. Be proud of who you are and be proud of the real friends you have, you'll be happy that you choose people that you can be yourself around and feel comfortable with in the long run.