It’s not often I feel compelled to write an advice piece, but I’m super happy with where I am in life right now and turning twenty years old feels like the perfect time to share some life lessons I’ve picked up along the way. In celebration of twenty years of life, here’s what I’ve learned:
1. How to achieve balance
I’ve learned having a balance in life is super important to health and happiness so always make this a priority.
2. The importance of keeping in touch with friends
When I first started college, I got really busy right away and was pretty bad at keeping in touch with friends. Always let people know you have time for them.
3. How to explore your passions
Having the advantage of living in NYC, I’m always looking for job opportunities and little things I can do to build my resume. Each minor accomplishment has assured me that I’m capable of doing what I love.
4. Confidence!
I’ve been so much more confident in my college life because I’m able to be independent and finally let go of worrying about what other people think.
5. Embrace being a neat freak
I’ve realized my obsessive need to keep things clean and organized at all times helps me feel like I have my life together.
6. Stress Management
Not wanting to carry over the immense amount of stress I always felt in high school, I’ve since learned how to change my thinking so as not to be overwhelmed all the time.
7. Always take the time to do things right
I love creating and crossing off to-do lists, but I sometimes wish I had focused on doing the task to my best ability and not getting it done quickly.
8. Time management is everything
By taking everything a day at a time, not procrastinating, and sticking to a schedule, you really can do it all.
9. Take care of yourself
It’s taken years to get this right but always put yourself first and be good to yourself.
10. How to work with kids
A valuable skill for earning money and showing people how incredibly responsible you are.
11. Treat people with kindness
There’s no reason not to.
12. How to cook for myself
I wouldn’t exactly call myself a chef, but making simple meals for myself helps me feel like an actual adult.
13. Reading for fun is actually the best
I’ve gotten into the routine of going to the library at the beginning of my very long winter and summer breaks and it’s been so nice to get to truly enjoy reading in my spare time.
14. That I’m the sleeping beauty of the group
I’m committed to having a regular sleep schedule and my pink sleep mask and I aren’t backing down from that.
15. Life gets better after high school
I can’t stress enough how happy I’ve been since graduating in 2017.
16. Not everyone has to like you
Long gone are the days of trying to fit in with certain people, the sooner you learn to break that cycle, the better.
17. Be a planner
Another thing I’m unapologetic about is my ability to plan, schedule and basically memorize dates and details.
18. Do things that you know other people could never
It will allow you to be incredibly strong in other aspects of life.
19. Dress up for yourself
Nothing boosts my confidence and makes my day like an outfit I feel great in. I will absolutely be continuing my routine of picking out my clothes the night before.
20. Living with roommates is hard but it can also be great
I’m still living with the same people I got randomly paired with the summer before college and they’re a huge part of why I’ve had such a great experience so far.