21 Things I Learned When I Was 21

The infamous 21st  birthday is the most important birthday you encounter after your 18th. The day when you are legally allowed to buy and consume alcohol (because you’ve never done it before and it should be a new thing to you), check into a hotel on your own, apply to adopt a child (this is so true… I checked), and supervise a learner driver on their driver’s permit.

I just turned 22 this past week, and like every other birthday I’ve had, I always like to reflect on the past year of my life and think about what I’ve learned and experienced. For me, birthdays are sentimental and I take that oppurtunity to learn from the past year. Even on my 20th birthday, I looked at myself in the mirror and sobbed to Landslide by Fleetwood Mac about the beginning of my 20’s.  Since 21 was a monumental year for me, I’ve decided to compile a list of 21 things I’ve learned in my 21st year of life:

1. Taking tequila shots as your first legal drink at the bar is fun.
2. Drinking a trashcan and a long island iced tea in a one hour window is not.
3. If it’s not meant to be, don’t force it.
4. Coffee is the most amazing thing in the entire world and will save you from anything bad in life.
5. Rihanna’s latest album will get you through it all.
6. Relationships are supposed to be messy and imperfect.
7. Your mom will always be there for you, even in your lowest of lows.
8. It’s okay to miss home and your family.
9. Converse high tops can go with any outfit.
10. Expensive liquor is not always better than the cheap stuff.
11. Regrets are stupid and can make you feel bad about yourself.
12. Buy yourself a portable backup phone charger. Just do it.
13. It’s okay to be between jobs, have very little money, and use your last few dollars on a cheap bottle of wine or a large coffee from Starbucks. It’s worth it.
14. Not all of your friends will truly care about you.
15. Accept that not all of your friends truly care about you, then care about the ones who do.
16. Lying a teeny, tiny bit about your GPA on your resume hurts no one.
17. Being yourself even if people don’t like it is important. You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
18. Keep in contact with your grandma who calls you on your birthday and sends a card every year; you’re the only grandkid that does.
19. Do the right thing 95% of the time.
20. You can absolutely use your friend’s AAA when you accidentally lock your phone, keys, and AAA card in your car
21. Taking ONE MORE shot before you leave to go to the bar is always a good idea.

….and one for good luck going into my 22nd year:

22. Go for your dreams, be bold, love endlessly, and be as honest as you can.

• 21+
• birthday
• learning
• life lessons