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21 Lessons I Haven't Learned In 21 Years

I missed the boat on this whole "adulting" thing.

May 15, 2017

21 Lessons I Haven't Learned In 21 Years

Recently, I have seen several articles about how much the writer has learned in the past 21 years of his or her life. I am a 21-year-old here to say that I do not know nearly as much as I expected I would at this time. My teenage-self thought that I would have my life together by now, but I don’t and that is okay! Here are 21 lessons I have not yet learned…

1. What I want to be when I grow up

I am sure about my major and career path right now, but who knows what the future holds.

2. Where I want to live

I might not want to live in a small-town or maybe I do...

3. How to be the perfect friend

4. …Or the greatest girlfriend.

5. …Or sweetest sister.

6. How much pasta I actually need to boil

I always seem to make enough for an army.

7. Always listening to my mom’s advice

8. Finding my identity fully in Christ

9. Not caring what others think

10. How the heck to do my taxes

11. How to cook without a recipe

12. The best way to pack and move

This is an accurate depiction of me.

13. The art of eyeliner

14. Not letting school rule my world

15. Budgeting

16. Drinking enough water

17. Exercising consistently

18. Eating healthy

19. How to avoid procrastination

20. Disconnecting from social media

21. How to appreciate silence

Here's to 21 more years. Years filled with unknowns, seasoned with new lessons, and marked by improvements.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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21 Lessons I Haven't Learned In 21 Years

I missed the boat on this whole "adulting" thing.

1. What I want to be when I grow up

2. Where I want to live

3. How to be the perfect friend

4. …Or the greatest girlfriend.

5. …Or sweetest sister.

6. How much pasta I actually need to boil

7. Always listening to my mom’s advice

8. Finding my identity fully in Christ

9. Not caring what others think

10. How the heck to do my taxes

11. How to cook without a recipe

12. The best way to pack and move

13. The art of eyeliner

14. Not letting school rule my world

15. Budgeting

16. Drinking enough water

17. Exercising consistently

18. Eating healthy

19. How to avoid procrastination

20. Disconnecting from social media

21. How to appreciate silence

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I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

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14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

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Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

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Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

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Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

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