20 things I learned before turning 20 (and my advice to you)

      Soooo. This Friday it’s my birthday and, God, I can’t believe I’ve been alive for two decades. It feels so weird and, well, to be honest, scary. So I wanted to share with you the things I have learned during these years and give you some advice at the same time.

1. It’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out. No one else really knows what they’re doing, so don’t stress out too much about it.
2. Cut the negative, toxic people out of your life. You are going to meet a lot of people before your 20s, but only a few will stay by your side. Keep around the people who are worth the effort and get rid of the toxic ones. Trust me, you don’t have time for someone that ever makes you feel less than you are, in any way and you have every right to walk away from them. You don’t need anyone to make you feel bad about who you are or what you stand for and you should not accept them in your life.
3. Feeling down is completely normal. Life is made of ups and downs, what’s important is to keep moving forward.
4. With college, work, family, partners, you will get distracted. And when you finally make some time you may find yourself feeling lonely and find it difficult to make new friends or reconnect with your old pals.
5. You also have to keep in mind that there will be a number of times in your life that you are/feel alone. It is healthy and normal. Everyone needs to spend a good portion of their life alone. This is the time when you learn who you really are.
6. Love yourself, learn when to put yourself first and stop comparing yourself to others. Most important, give yourself a chance.
7. The bad news: You can’t make people accept, like or love you. The good news: it doesn’t matter.
8. Know what you deserve, and don’t settle for less.
9. It’s never too late to change something or start over.
10. It’s okay to say no. And you don’t have to explain yourself.
11. Different is good. And it’s always better than being fake.
12. Working out, eating well and getting enough sleep are very, very important things. But make it about being healthy, not about losing weight.
13. No one except you remembers your embarrassing moments. We worry so much that people don’t like us, that they are gossiping about us. Thing is, most of these people aren’t thinking about us at all.
14. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
15. Relationships will fail, your heart will be broken and it will hurt like hell. But you will survive and it will help you learn more about yourself and what you’re looking for.
16. Don’t be so quick to judge others. Give people a chance. I remember my first days of college. That girl that was looking somehow in my direction that seemed ready to kill someone… Actually has the resting bitch face, but is an amazing girl and one of my best friends. That other girl that seemed to me so pretty and had an amazing smile. After I saw her laughing at some really nice girls because of their look, I can’t stand her laugh and I don’t see why I ever thought she was pretty.
17. Treasure your family.
18. Live your life to the fullest. Do what makes you happy. Be motivated, make your dreams come true. Surround yourself with people that make you happy. Seek adventure and experience.
19. “The bad news: Nothing lasts forever. The good news: Nothing lasts forever.”
20. And the last thing that I want to say… it’s only 20! Stop feeling so old because you are not! You are still allowed to make mistakes, to make bad decisions, to date the wrong people. You don’t have it all, but you do have something and that you should value and you know more than you knew yesterday. 

      Laura ♥