After celebrating my own birthday for nearly 3 weeks since it was my “last fun birthday,” I decided to take a moment to reflect, especially after my roommate handed me a pack of mint gum, Advil, and a new toothbrush (she was concerned, clearly) the night before.
The reflection process consisted of recalling the horrific, but amusing experiences I’ve had in my 21 years. And realizing an early quarter life crisis definitely is a real thing and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Even though I wouldn’t change a single experience (okay, I lied. I would change a few) there are lessons to be had with each one. Hope this serves you well.
1. Whether you have time for it or not, taking care of yourself IS important.
If you thought you weren’t busy enough with being a full-time student, working two jobs, being an active member in multiple organizations, trying to maintain the delicate balance between your social life and coming home enough to see your family, taking time for yourself just isn’t feasible. However, you should make time for to take care of yourself, even if that includes taking a nap in the middle of the day because you stayed up until 4 A.M. or promising yourself that you’ll actually use the gym membership you purchased 3 months ago. You’ll be happy you did and it makes your days that much more enjoyable.
2. Faking anything is a disservice – across the board, no exceptions.
This includes fake crying, fake gratitude, faking interest in someone or something, or even “faking” your sexuality. You’re not only making it difficult for someone else but for yourself as well.
3. Pretending you already know everything inevitably makes it hard to learn anything.
We’re all guilty of saying “I know” after someone tells us something, especially to our parents. But, did we actually know that? Probably not. It’s just better to reply with “okay” rather than “I know.
4.Sometimes it is better to receive than to give. Just say “thank you.”
Am I right, or am I right?
5. Don’t let something or someone stop you and get in your way.
We all have dreams and sometimes we find our fears or another’s expectations of us preventing us from reaching our ultimate goal. Forget them. Have expectations for yourself and take your fears head on. The success from doing so will seriously surprise you.
6. Take the initiative to explore what’s around you.
We get so caught up in what other people are doing or experiences, we forget about our own experiences. Make a bucket list and adhere to it. Or make the effort to explore hole-in-the-wall places in your area like a coffeehouse that no one knows about except you. The might just end up being some of your favorite places to be.
7. Winning every argument doesn’t benefit you in the long run.
Don’t even attempt to interrupt the person as you try to defend yourself. Listen to the person talking and address the issue. Don’t feed into it.
8. Take care of the overdrawn credit card if you ever want to build credit.
Are you wanting to buy your first home or what?
9. Being stranded on the side of the road in the middle of a blizzard is not the right time to start learning about your car.
That isn’t the time to be wishing you knew certain parts to your car. Trust me. Been there, done that. Educate yourself about your car now so you are prepared if there is a problem in the future.
10. What other people think of you is none of your business.
The only opinion that should be relevant to you is your own. We judge each other so much on appearance and our behavior, it’s hard to be sure if someone is honest in their opinion of you. But, why waste your time with wondering?
11. Stop looking for validation from someone else.
Like, sending a really nice picture to the guy who lives across the street from you, wanting him to send back that emoji with the smiley face that has heart eyes. You know you look nice. You don’t need someone else telling you that you look beautiful. Or, let an organization or group tell you who you have to be. You are you for a reason.
12. Don’t change yourself for another person’s happiness, unless that person is you.
Do you, boo-boo. Simple as that.
13. Your attitude is everything.
No one wants to be around you if you have a stink attitude. If you’re crabby, spare the people around you.
14. Understand that you will get your chance to be an adult.
As much as being a poor 20-something sucks. Budgeting around your next rent payment sucks. Wondering how ridiculous your utilities for the month sucks. And wishing you could buy that puppy you got the application for already. But, with patience, you’ll be thrown into your adult life here sooner than later.
15. Forgive, even if it’s hard to do.
Just keep telling yourself that you’ll get wrinkles if you’re mad about something. Furrowing your eyebrows together isn’t a good look.
16. Celebrate your accomplishments, but raise the bar even higher.
You should strive to reach a goal, and then go further than that. Your accomplishments and reaching goals should make you grow as a person. Not just float along.
17. Your family truly has your best interest in mind, even if you don’t want to admit it.
I’m sure we’ve all had that moment where we thought back and said to ourselves “Mom was right about this all along.”
18. Friendships will require work, it is okay to invest in other ones.
Quality not quantity holds true here. You will always be working at friendship, but if the other isn’t willing to put in the same amount of effort, it’s time to move on before it ends up like a really bad break up.
19. Stand up for yourself.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
20. History repeats itself, ingrand and in very small ways. It is okay to take stock of your own history and resolve not to repeat parts.
Basically, it’s okay to look back at photographs of your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend and cringe. But, keep one photo where you look good. Or reflect on a bad event in your past, and promise yourself that you don’t have to endure that again.
21. Let people in.
No, this isn’t unlocking the door for someone. This is letting yourself open up to someone who cares for you. You can only block someone out so much before they start throwing rocks at your glass windows.