20 Things I've Learned in 20 Years

Happy birthday to ME! While I feel much older than 20, I am really glad I am so young. I could write a book on the things that have happened in the past year alone, but instead I want to step back and reflect on what I've learned in the past 20 years.

1. It's your life

Don't let a single soul dictate how you should live your life. This includes what you wear, what you eat, where you live, what you do for a living, and who you surround yourself with. We have to live with our decisions no matter what. 

2. Laughter reveals all

Are you fake laughing? Are you laughing so hard your ruining your makeup? Are you laughing so hard you're about to pee your pants? The amount and the quality of your laughter is something to pay attention to. Surround yourself with those who ruin your makeup and make you pee. Trust me.

3. Traveling makes you rich

Prada is expensive but going into the first ever Prada store in Milan and trying on every pair of sunglasses with your best friends doesn't cost a dime. I don't care where you go, just go. Get out. Your comfort zone? Burn it. Travel as often as you can, no excuses. 

4. You don't want to fit in

I finally learned this lesson when I was in high school. Tired of blending in and flying under the radar, I decided that standing out is essential to getting somewhere in life. In order to be SOMEBODY you have to be unlike anybody. It's instinctual. Don't suppress your true self no matter where you live.

5. Kindness kills 

Don't let anyone walk all over you. You're not a doormat. However, kindness goes a long way with enemies. Being kind to someone you don't like isn't the same as being 'fake' because when you decide to be kind it is a genuine act. Be so nice that it kills them. 

6. Messy hair wins

I only get compliments on my hair when I wear it totally natural - wavy and carefree. It's awesome. Don't damage your hair just because you feel like you have to look picture perfect. Your natural hair is what makes you you. 

7. Losing friends is a good thing

If you don't lose a few friends along the way that means you're not changing at all. It is so important to be conscious of how you're evolving and growing as an individual. 

8. Love love love yourself

I'm my favorite date ever. I always do what I want to do, eat what I want to eat, and go where I want to go. In all seriousness, I learned early on how to be my own best friend and I can't reiterate enough just how much this has helped me go through life's difficulties. Be your own biggest fan. You'll go places.

9. All change is good

I think I was in the seventh grade when I first told myself this. It's still true today. Each year I change drastically in one way or another and I can't imagine it any other way. It's a sign of growth and that's a positive thing, even if it was painful. 

10. Dogs > cats

Cats are absolutely psychotic creatures and I can't fathom why anyone would willingly choose to own a cat over a precious perfect dog. I know, I know. All of you crazy cat owners are reading this thinking, "No! You would love my cat! My cat isn't psycho at all!" because that is exactly what owners of psycho cats always tell me. No. Dogs are exponentially better in literally every way possible.

11. Your niche awaits

I've known what I wanted my career to be since I was a junior in high school but that doesn't mean it hasn't evolved since then. The more time you spend getting to know yourself (see #8) the more you will realize what you want your life to look like and what steps you need to take to get there. 

12. Listen to your body

A week before writing this I was in the hospital for dehydration after nearly fainting in the middle of a classroom. Why? I neglected to listen to what my body was telling me, which was: "hey idiot you have a serious stomach virus how about sleeping and drinking gatorade for a while?" I learned my lesson. Listen to your body. 

13. You're taken as seriously as you dress

Why do so many college students dress like giant toddlers? Why would a highly educated professor take anything someone wearing a giant tee shirt and flip flops seriously? I ask myself these questions a lot but genuinely don't judge. I just observe, and wonder. If you want to be respected, look the part. It takes the same amount of time to put on jeans as it does yoga pants. Small efforts, huge returns. 

14. Buy the shoes

So the shoe fits, you love it, you want it, but you don't buy it. Unless it would seriously set you way back financially, BUY the shoes!!! 

15. Less is -always- more

This is true for outfits, home decor, friends, cars, and purses. Don't mindlessly collect things because they're on sale or they're easy to come by. Think carefully before you buy something and if it doesn't fit your aesthetic, don't freaking buy it.

16. Take no sh*t 

Honey honey honey... Life will throw some crazy people at you but you can't take sh*t from those people. Keep moving. My advice for anyone who treats you poorly: treat them like air. Don't put up with someone who tries to bring you down. 

17. Wine hates an empty stomach

Once upon a time I thought it was a grand idea to not eat all day long because of the outfit I was planning to wear that night. A poor choice that ended poorly for all poor souls involved. Moral of the story: have some carbs, girl. 

18. Work is secondary to happiness

Italy taught me that life comes before work and work is not life nor should it ever be, no matter what your financial status is. Life is too damn short to work yourself to death (literally). This goes for school, too. I refuse to let life pass me by because I'm drowning in work.

19. Pancakes give you life

They always have. When I was little, I used to make pancakes for me and my mom every Saturday morning before we went shopping. Nowadays, I make paleo pancakes for us every time I come into town for a visit. They still taste like childhood and bliss. And maple syrup. Pancakes are everything.

20. Don't have dreams, have goals

I should have ownership of this phrase by now. I cringe when I hear someone tell me to ~dream big~ What does that even mean? Sleep late? No. I will not dream big. I will set goals for myself to achieve. I will hold myself accountable for work I have to do to get myself to the place I need to be to reach my goals. I will not sit quietly waiting for an ideal life to show up on a silver platter. I will work hard for what I want and leave not one inch of room for excuses. Here's to being 20. I've got quite a number of goals lined up for this year. LET'S GO!