We all think about what we're going to do when we have to go out on our own.

By ourselves.

ALONE.

It's scary, isn't it? We all have to provide for ourselves and our family someday. So, figuring it out before you're stuck with three kids and don't know how to pay your phone bill on time...it's crucial.

We spend our time being cared for by our parents or guardians until we're 18, give or take some years. It's intimidating, to think that you have to be responsible for your own bills, from the electric bill to healthcare, all by yourself. But, getting into this at a younger age can set you up for success in your life. It gives you more confidence for when you're tackling harder projects in the future. Learning to be an adult can help you be more organized. It teaches you responsibility. I mean, in the end, you have yourself to fall back on. Teach that person what to do when things get hard.

Having your life together is empowering. People will look to you for advice and support. Don't rely on someone else to hold your happiness in their hands. What happens if something occurs and you're lost without knowing what to do? That's why earlier on, it's good to trust yourself that you can make it.

Start small; get a source of income, whether you get a job at the grocery store or sell things you make. Start paying for your cell phone. (That will teach you to respect your data limits a little more...ahem.) Your parents will praise you. You'll earn respect. After that's second nature, start making yourself happy. Go out to a movie by yourself or go shopping. Get your nails done or get a massage. You don't learn what makes you happy until you're doing something for yourself alone. It may sound lonely or pointless at first, but you have to embrace it.

Secondly, stay organized. Keep your room clean, keep your car clean. Get a planner or a calendar and learn to follow structure. Have a week where every day is planned and you'll feel great at the end of it and won't want to stop. Start thinking about your future. You don't want to be spinning into the abyss. Have a plan. Think hard about what you want in life, and make a list of what you're going to do to make it happen. Five years down the road, I guarantee you'll be doing great and following that plan. It'll be easier to move out and get your own place, because you have taught yourself initiative and discipline. You'll have become that oh-so-great Type A personality that people wish they could be.

A few keys to end on:

Don't procrastinate. Never rely on another person for all of your happiness. Take initiative and do things for your awesome self. Follow structure and everything else will come too. It's addictive. Most importantly, have fun with it and EMBRACE IT!