20 Lessons For 20 Years
By: Emma Comeaux
Tags: Personal Growth, Life Lessons, Personal Development, Development, Learning

In honor of my birthday coming up, I decided it might be fun to bestow what little wisdom I have. You’re probably wondering why you should listen to the ramblings of a 20-year-old? Well, me too. Hopefully, there is something here for you. In 20 years I’ve had the pleasure (and often displeasure) of learning some hard lessons.

1. Don’t Settle

Don’t go for junk food when you can easily cook a healthy meal that will boost your mood and immune system. Don’t settle for the guy who doesn’t answer when you call. Don’t settle for fake friends. Don’t settle for anything less than you deserve.

2. Be Yourself

It took me longer than I’d like to admit to learn this one, but I’ve always struggled with showing people a version of me, that well… wasn’t me. Always put your best self forward, and never let anyone make you feel bad for who you are.

3. Work Smarter… and Harder

I’m all for finding an easier way to accomplish a task, but I’m also a firm believer in you get what you put in. Never lose sight of your end goals, and always put in 110% effort.

4. Your Journey is Yours

Never let someone else’s life make you feel like you’re behind on yours. Everyone moves at their own pace. Some people may graduate college in 3 years, some may graduate in 8. You’ll reach your goals when you’re meant to.

5. Relax and Enjoy

Speaking of your journey, enjoy it! Life is to short to only focus on the bad. You’ll be a lot happier if you relish in the good things.

6. Loosen Your Grip

No one, in the entire world, has control over every aspect of their life. There may be some people that portray that image, but it’s an act. Focus on what you can control, and let go of what you can’t.

7. Family Isn’t Always Blood

You don’t have to be related to have a family bond with someone. The people who stick by you through the good, the bad, and the ugly can be better for you than your blood relatives.

8. You Lose Some, You Gain Some

People come, and people go. If they want to leave, let them.

9. Turn Rejection Into Motivation

You’re going to face a lot of rejection in this lifetime so you might as well use it for good. Take every “no,” and let it push you to work harder.

10. We Aren’t All The Same, and That’s Okay

You’re going to meet people that disagree with you. They’re going to disagree on small things, they’re going to disagree on huge, fundamental, things. It’s okay to disagree without fighting.

11. Be Kind

This one’s a little cheesy, but it’s so true. Simple kindnesses make a big difference in other people’s lives and a big difference in yours. Never forget, you get what you give.

12. Give Yourself Permission To Be Lazy

Every once in awhile we all need to lay around and do absolutely nothing. Don’t feel bad for letting yourself rest, but don’t forget to pick yourself up off the couch the next day and get back to work.

13. Your Opinion is King

Not everyone is going to like you or the things you do. It doesn’t matter. If you’re happy, then it’s right for you. Don’t let other people control your happiness.

14. Read as Much as You Can

Reading can change your life and change your mindset. Even if you hate reading, listen to an audiobook. There’s so much in this life to learn and experience. Books are a cheap vacation in another world.

15. Jump At The Chance To Learn

Take that online course, go back to college, listen to an educational podcast, watch the news. Every time you have an opportunity to learn something, take it. It will help you grow and allow you to help others.

16. Get Outside

Going outside can fix just about anything, in my opinion. Bad day? Soak in the sunshine. Happy? Go for a walk and enjoy the view. You can’t go wrong if you just go outside.

17. Keep a Record

You can take photos, you can write it out, do it whatever way you want, but get all those memories somewhere you can keep them and look back on them.

18. Volunteer

Whether it’s for an organization or an individual you know, do something to help them. Volunteer your time, offer a donation, create a bond. You’ll meet people you might never have come in contact with otherwise, and it’ll change your perspective on life.

19. Don’t Bottle It In

Angry at someone? Let them know. Hurting? Tell a loved one. Struggling? Want to see a therapist? Do it. Don’t let society tell you what you should and shouldn’t be feeling, and certainly don’t hold it all in until you can’t anymore.

20. Life Isn’t Always Easy

Life may not be easy, in fact, it will most definitely be very difficult at times. Don’t give up. Don’t let it throw you off. It may not be easy, but it’s always worth it.