Life is confusing. Especially when you’re an adolescent teen who is trying to find their way in this world. If you think life gets any less confusing after your teenage years… you’re wrong. 20 years old is still considered “young.” At this age you’re officially out of your “teen” years, but you’re at the very beginning of your 20’s. Therefore, some will classify you as “inexperienced.” The truth is this, we all have had our fair share of “ah-ha” moments, disappointments and successes so far in this tiny span of life.
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Here are 20 things that I’ve learned by age 20:
1. Eating healthy is beneficial. But life is too short to not eat that piece of free cake or piece of pizza that has been offered to you.
2. When things go wrong, it is not the end of the world. By this age you need to have realized that the plan that you thought you had for yourself, is bound to change in some way. That’s just life.
3. Save your money, but don’t over save. It’s okay to spend some money on that dress that you’ve been eyeing on in that cute boutique downtown. You deserve to spoil yourself sometimes.
4. Don’t work your life away just yet. If you’re like me, you’ve been working a part-time job since you were 16 years old. This part-time job is helping you pay for rent, tuition, bills, etc. But it’s okay to take a weekend off, and do something that you want to do. Chances are, this might be the only job that you’ll have that you’ll be able to take weekends off.
5. On the opposite end of number four… don’t take your little part-time job for granted. Listen to your boss or manager and perform to the best of your ability. They’ll be the ones who write letters of recommendation for you one day.
6. Stay in on a Friday or Saturday night and spend time with your family. That club or bar will be there next weekend, but time with your family is priceless.
7. Take some time out of your busy schedule and call your grandparents. It’ll make their day to hear from you.
8. Learn how to do your own laundry. Mom isn’t going to be there to separate your clothes for you forever.
9. Never take your parent’s buying groceries for you for granted. One day you’ll have to not only go to the grocery store on your own, but you’ll have to purchase them on your own too.
10. It’s okay if you don’t know what to do when you get older. You’re not supposed to have your whole life figured out at this age.
11. Give that really nice boy/or girl a chance and take them out of the friend-zone. They may become the love of your life… you never know.
12. The “Golden Rule,” (Treat others the way you want to be treated) will ALWAYS be true, no matter who old you get.)
13. It’s okay to be selfish sometimes. If you’re too busy taking care of everyone else… who’s taking care of you? You gotta put yourself first every once in a while.
14. Make sure you make an effort to stay in-touch with your best friends. I know that life happens, and as you grow up, people go their separate ways… but, take some time out of your life to text your BFF and tell her/or him how much you miss them.
15. Explore different types of music. Give other genres of music a try. You might discover something new that you like.
16. Don’t post your political views on social media. Sure, everyone has their right to freedom of speech, but if you really want to post about them on the internet, or harass others that don’t agree with your political views… just don’t. Get out from behind the screen and try to change things yourself AWAY FROM THE INTERNET.
17. You’re never going to please everyone, no matter what you do. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.
18. Coffee dates with old friends from high school or from your previous college lecture classes are good for the soul.
19. Put down your phone, log off social media, and live in the moment.
20. Surviving 20 years is a victory in and of itself. Don’t take anything for granted. Life is too short to be anything but happy.