Most birthdays pass by without really making us feel any older. When I turned 20, my friends looked at me and asked how I felt. They asked if I felt older. They asked if I felt like a real adult since I was officially no longer a teenager.
The truth was, I didn't feel any different. We never really do. But when I thought about it, I had been starting to feel older for a while. In the months leading up to my 20th birthday, I started doing some pretty cool things. I made dean's list, got a writing internship, volunteered a lot, started making my own doctors appointments, got another writing gig and started learning to cook. I was finally starting to do some more "adult" things.
In celebration of my 20th year I sat down and tried to make a list of 20 little insights/revelations I have picked up about life along the way.
1. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is ever really as dramatic as it feels in the moment. It might feel like the end of the world, but it's not. Chilling out is usually necessary.
2. Have fun! Don't always lock yourself away in your room with Netflix. You're young and the opportunities for fun that you have now won't always be there. Enjoy them while you can.
3. ... But make sure you work as much as you play. Don't blow off classes or homework in favor of goofing off. You still have responsibilities you need to take care of and neglecting them is only going to make you stressed later.
4. Life is all about balance. Balancing school, a social life, a sport, a job and probably a thousand other things is nearly impossible, but it's life. It's all about prioritizing.
5. Follow your dreams. If there is something you're passionate about—pursue it! Ignore anyone who tells you your dreams are impractical or that you can't do it.
6. Prove them wrong. The best feeling in the world is accomplishing something people told you you couldn't do.
7. Trust where life leads you. The plans you make for yourself are usually nothing compared to what life has in store. Life usually leads you where you are meant to be.
8. Let yourself fall in love. Stop being afraid of it. Allow that icy cage around your heart to thaw. Just love. It's worth it no matter what the outcome.
9. Know your worth. Stand up for yourself. Stop letting yourself get taken advantage of. Know what you deserve and demand it.
10. Being empathetic and a good friend is one thing—letting people drain you is another. Know the difference.
11. Embrace every bit of who you are. Stop being ashamed of your quirks. They make you unique. Be proud of your uniqueness.
12. It's only hair. It will grow back. Do whatever you want to it! Dye it the weird color you've always wanted, try that interesting hair cut, style it different. Hair isn't permanent; just have fun with it.
13. Wear what you want to wear. Don't worry about what is "in style" or what you "should be wearing" or even what looks good. Wear whatever you want and whatever you feel good in.
14. Work hard in school! That extra 45 minutes of studying now is going to save you two hours of stressed out cramming during finals week. Once slacking off becomes a habit, it's nearly impossible to break it. Just try your best and put in that extra effort.
15. Take care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. When you're in college you don't have anyone there to take care of you anymore, you have to do it for yourself. Make sure you are helping yourself stay healthy. It will avoid sickness, stress and emotional breakdowns.
16. Get excited about little things. Who cares if they're lame? Be as excited as a kid on Christmas morning just because you saw a cute picture of your favorite animal, or because you got an A on that really hard exam, or because it's finally sunny and warm outside. Laugh out loud at dumb jokes. Let yourself be excited and stop worrying about looking cool.
17. Apathy is not "hip," it's boring. Pretending to hate the world and not care about anything is pointless. You'll have way more fun if you just let yourself actually enjoy life.
18. Asking for help is OK. You don't always have to do everything on your own. Your friends and family are there for you and want to help you. Let them.
19. Take pictures. Take pictures of everything and everyone. You're going to want the memories.
20. Don't rush growing up. Whatever age you are, enjoy it. Don't try to rush to get to the next phase of your life or you'll miss out on the one you're in now. Enjoy being 15 or 18 or 21. However much you think you hate being whatever age you are, you'll miss it when you look back. Plus, growing up kind of sucks.
