I was born, what most people tend to say for kids born after the school cutoff date, late. My birthday was last week and I was the last person in my friend group to turn twenty. I was no longer going to be a teenager or in that limbo where I was still seen as a teen by other adolescents yet still fit into my usual group of twenty-somethings. I am naturally reflective and future - oriented person; I decided I wanted to lay out some guidelines that I hope with lead me to have a fruitful and fun decade.

I will stop saying: When I'm older...

I am future-oriented, but I also want to be present in the life I have now. I don't want to keep saving things for future me to do in the future. There will always be new things popping up that I will want to do. I have a bad habit that I will save using a certain piece of clothing for a rainy day or deny indulging myself since I think I don't deserve it. I realized I have a whole collections of clothes, soaps, candles, and perfumes that I have barely touched because I keep saving it. I don't want to finish them.What if I never have a chance to even use them once, let alone multiple times? Therefore, I have decided to enjoy each day the way I want to and how I feel because the present deserves some "presents" too.

I will stop doing: asking my parents opinion about everything

I am close to my parents and keep them updated on my life. I will continue to do so, but I also have the tendency to ask their opinion or thoughts on many of the things I'm considering of doing. Sometimes I know they won't approve it I begin to hesitate or feel insecure to follow through with my plans after consulting with them. However, I have gradually stopped always indirectly "asking" for permission. I realized I want their approval before I begin anything. It feels good to have that support, but I also have begun to developed self-belief and rely less on other people's approval.

I will stop thinking: I am behind...

Each decade is associated with certain milestones and markers that I erroneously believe I have to accomplish. I constantly feel like I am falling behind on the timeline I am supposedly traveling on until I die. Everyone has a path that doesn't align with someone else's goals. I have to continue to remind myself that the goals I make are for myself and if I am able to achieve them that is what will make me proud of myself and happy with my life.

I hope I continue to strive towards making these claims a reality for my twenties and beyond that.