20…. Hmm. So cool right? We wait so long to finally be out of our teen years and take on the big 20’s. No more sitting at the kids take on holidays, being dependent on our parents, or being tied to the same decade that you wore pigtails and beads in your hair. All the things you think are going to change, people are so going to take you more serious because you’re an adult now, you’ll be all cool and have everything figured out! I mean how different can it be? Oh honey, just you wait. I mean it can be different for everyone depending on where you are at in your life, but for me, my year of being 20 contained a world of change. I moved, lived in my first apartment, adopted a kitten, experience the joy of living with monthly bills… haha and had an amazing year developing who I am as a person separate from my family.
When the time comes for you, I hope you will enjoy your year as much as I did, and to help make yours maybe a bit better here are my 15 tips for your 20th year.
- Don’t be in too big of a rush to move out. Take your time and save up some money first. This is help you have a less stressful transition.
- Don’t be afraid of bills. Yes, they will start appearing out of thin air, whether from school, loans, or just daily living. The important thing is to stay organized and always be on time. I have found making everything an auto- payment is a lifesaver.
- Make new friends. As you are getting older, you are maturing at different levels then maybe the people you tend to find yourself around. It is important to surround your life with friends that are as dedicated, adventurous, and ambitious in their life as you are.
- You are not 21, which means (if your life is anything like mine) you are pretty much going to be the DD for the year. It may not be the most fun, but your time will come. I promise ha.
- Set goals. This tip carries over to every year but it’s important to live life with a purpose. No matter how small, or how incredible big it is; set your goals and remind yourself of them every day. This will give you a sense of desire and a feeling of accomplishment when your goals are reached.
- You will mess up. No matter how prepared, smart, or ready you may think you are, you are going to make mistakes. You may date the wrong guy, totally bomb on a test, or get that hair style you know you really shouldn’t have but you did…. Even when your mom warned you not to. The thing is, no one is perfect. Take each “oops” moment and learn from it. As long as you make it through the year with two arms, two legs, and not in jail…. You will be ok.
- Take advantage of every opportunity to try something new. There is so much in the world to see and do, and even though you will never do it all… do your best to experience what you can!
- Fall in love. I know this sounds silly, but for real! I don’t care if its with a boy, a dog, or a hobby. Just love something! Its important to live with passion in your life and not just mope around from one class to the other.
- Learn a new skill. You can learn to draw, sew, or even skateboard. Just take the year and dive into a something totally new. Just think, if you mastered a new skill every year of your life you would know a hell of a ton by the time your 80.
- Get in the habit of waking up early. Your only young once, so don’t sleep it away. I mean if you slept an average of 9 hours a night… that is 3,285 hours you would spend sleeping in one year.
- Love your mom. No matter how grown up you are… you need her and she’s right. Mom can always see what we can’t, and often she’s right.
- Don’t waste your time in a relationship, when you know he’s not the one. Yes, he may be hot. Yes, he may be popular and talented, but when you can feel it and you know you’re not dating the guy you want to spend the rest of your life with… end it. Every day you spend with the wrong one is one more day you are not getting to spend with the right one. Ditch the dude and go find your best friend.
- Enjoy your metabolism while it lasts. Eat that last piece of pizza, yes get ice cream after midnight, and having pasta for breakfast lunch and dinner is ok; Well, I mean it’s not good but if you do it once you won’t die.
- Your college years won’t be the best years of your life. Yes, they will be full of great friends and fun nights, but don’t dwell on the college life.
- Don’t be in a rush. You are going to have a blast and I know you will be excited to be 21 so soon, but take your time; Enjoy every day. You are only the person you are at 20 one time in your life. So, try new things, be happy in your day to day life, and be yourself.
Always,
Lulu
