In just a few short weeks I am turning the big 2-0. I will no longer be a teenager, which is super weird for me to think about. I can't even fathom the fact that I've been alive for nearly two decades. While this fact is crazy, let's face it. Nobody really cares about anyone's 20th birthday. It's one of those filler years. People care about your 16th, 18th, 21st and then they don't really care again until your 30th. So it's safe to say that this year will probably be pretty quiet until I turn the big 21 next year.

Since I only have about two weeks until I'm officially no longer a teenager (still so weird to say) I've been reflecting a little bit on what the past decades have meant for me. Twenty years is a pretty long time whether you're turning 20, 40, or 60. Everyone knows that a lot can change in one year. But 20 years can bring immense change and growth, especially the first 20. The first 20 establishes who you are and is the foundation for everything you've ever known. It's through these years in your young life that you learn some of life's most valuable lessons because they are your very first.

Here are 20 things that I've learned before my 20th birthday.

1. You're going to meet hundreds of people throughout your life. Not all of them are going to like you.

Don't waste all of your time and energy focusing on making those who don't seem to like you change their minds. It's not worth it. Instead, use that energy to focus on those who you know care and like you just as you are.

2. Mistakes are inevitable. It's more than OK if you make them.

It'd actually be pretty abnormal if you didn't make them. You're a human, not a superhero, so you're going to make a few mistakes here and there. Sometimes they last a few seconds and other times a whole year can be a mistake. Some will be large and some will be small, but they all have a purpose and a lesson attached to them. Even if you don't understand the lesson until years down the line.

3. Do things for yourself and not for the approval or jurisdiction of others.

Yes, I do love making my parents proud. There's no doubt about it, but sometimes you have to sacrifice what they want to make you happy and proud of yourself. It could be something as little as getting a tattoo that you know they don't want you to have or even pursuing a career that they're not fond of. I know that easier said than done, but sometimes you have to do things for you. They'll understand eventually.

4. Literally, every single person gets their heartbroken. You can try to avoid it the best you can, but it will happen eventually.

I'm not saying that it's always a romantic relationship that causes someone's heart to break, and if you're one of the people who never does have a romantic heartbreak then consider yourself lucky. Everyone feels some time of heartbreak at some point in their life.

5. Money isn't everything.

I am in no way saying that you don't need money for certain things, because obviously, that is incredibly unrealistic. I've just learned that over the years money does not equal happiness. You can have all of the money in the world, but that doesn't mean you're the happiest person alive. Your wealth should not define you or your happiness.

6. Laughter really is the best medicine.

This may sound incredibly cliche considering I've heard/seen it a million times, but it's so incredibly true. I can't count the times where laughing with someone or even by myself has brightened up a time in my life when I needed it the most.

7. Friends really are the family you choose.

You obviously don't get to choose your family, but I've realized that friends really are the family you choose. You know that you have the best of friends when you feel just as home with them as you are with your own family or even more so.

8. Read. Read. Read.

Fortunately, I love reading. When I encounter a great book I can't seem to put it down. I know that not everyone loves to read and it's not easy for everyone to find a book to speaks to them, but read them as much as you can. Nothing is more rewarding than the knowledge you gain from novels.

9. Your grades don't necessarily define you.

Yes, getting good grades is important and essential sometimes. However, I've learned that getting a bad grade should NEVER make you question your intelligence whatsoever. Too many times I have gotten worked up over a bad grade on a test or as a final grade because it made me feel like I wasn't smart. Always try your best, but know that if you fail one class or one test it will be OK.

10. Do not drop your friends and family for a significant other.

No matter how much you are into or love a significant other do not drop your friends or family. It's not worth it to just have that one person, and if that person isn't forever then who will you have once they're gone?

11. The greatest things in life are not just handed to you.

I know that everyone has heard this a million times, but I can't stress it enough. Sure, it's nice to be handed certain things in life with little to no work. There's no doubt about that. However, I usually feel some sort of guilt if I am just given something. Working hard can be just that, hard work. But the things that you do earn when you work hard are so much more rewarding and feel so much better.

12. You need to know when to stand up for yourself.

This has been something that has seriously taken me nearly 20 years to learn, but it's a lesson that was better to learn later than never at all. I can't stress how important this one is.

13. Learn to say "no."

I am definitely someone who has always struggled with this. I never feel like I can say no when people ask me for something. I end up taking on too much and can become exhausted. Learn to say no sometimes. You don't have to do everything someone asks of you. If they really care about you they'll understand.

14. Spend as much time with your family as you can.

You grow up and move away sooner than you think. Spend time with them as much as you can. Trust me, you'll miss them once you leave.

15. Don't try to grow up too fast.

If you're still in high school do not try to grow up too fast. You can't wait to drive or get a job. All of these adult things are fun, but they come with adult responsibilities. Sometimes it's hard to wait for you to be able to do adult things, but once you are officially an adult you're going to miss some things about being a kid.

16. Social media is not always an accurate representation of who a person is.

It's easy to fall into the social media trap of thinking that everyone you see on there is perfect. It's easy to compare your lives to others and get discouraged or upset that yours isn't as glamorous as theirs. I have fallen down this path too many times and have learned that 9 times out of 10 people are only posting the best versions of themselves online. They aren't posting their failures. They only want everyone to see the days where their hair, skin, and body look flawless, not the days where they don't look great.

17. Call or text people when you miss them.

There have been many people I've lost in my life because I've gotten busy and just never shot them a text or made a quick call. I was too afraid that maybe since they didn't reach out they didn't want to hear from me. That's definitely not always true. If you miss someone just shoot them a text. It's better that you can possibly reconnect with a friend instead of never hearing from someone again out of fear.

18. Sometimes the best things in life come out of "failures."

There have been a few things I haven't gotten into or made that have actually worked out for the best. I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason and will always stand by it, even if some things do seem pretty terrible.

19. Surround yourself with people who are genuinely happy for you during happy times.

You want to be friends with people who celebrate your accomplishments as opposed to getting upset or jealous of you. You want people in your life who want to celebrate with you.

20. Be genuinely happy for your friends.

This obviously goes hand and hand with #19. It's easy to get jealous of others accomplishments, but do what you can to be happy for those you love, especially when they do so for you.