22 Things I've Learned In 22 Years

1. Don't let anyone tell you how to live your life.

You are here for YOU, and the moment you let someone else's thoughts or opinions change your mind on something important to you, you lose sight what it was that you wanted and throw it all off balance. Listen to yourself, not others because, only you know what's best for you.

2. Everything happens for a reason.

Yes it may be cliche but, all the good and bad times you've been through have helped form you into the imperfectly perfect person you are today.

3. You really are what you eat.

Not only does the food we ingest determine the look of our bodies, but also the performance of them. How are you feeling? What are you feeding yours? Every bite and sip has an effect. Pay attention to what you put into your bodies and do some research on how nutrition affects the entirety of you.

4. Know its okay to not know.

We don't have to know what we're doing with the rest of our life and we don't have to have the answer to every question possible as well. Not everyone knows everything and no matter how bad you want to act as you do, it is okay to not know sometimes. Live through the process and the knowledge will come.

5. Money comes and goes.

If you are without, you can acquire. If you have wealth, it can leave you. Money is energy and energy is always in flux. Be grateful for its presence, but don't obsess over it. You can always make more.

6. You can't make anyone like or love you.

This is a tough one for a lot of us. And it's natural, we want to feel accepted. But you will not be everyone's favorite person, just like there are people you can think of who you'd never choose to spend your free time with. And that's okay. You also cannot force anyone to see your worth and give you the love you deserve. No matter how great you are, some people may never get it. Keep it pushing and find those who can't imagine a world where they didn't love all of you.

7. Treat yo' self.

Sometimes you need that manicure or glass of wine. Take care of yourself. Eat good food. Enjoy great company. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing to do. You don't have to justify it to anyone. If you need a personal day, take it.

8. Exercise is not the enemy.

I know we're preached to all the time about the importance of exercise and eating healthy, but think about it this way: if you want a family, do you want to be able to be around to take care of them?

Do you want the freedom to do things like travel in your retirement? Do you want to live independently and not rely on others, machines, and medications to help you function daily? No? Take care of your body now. Use it!

9. Life moves on.

Time doesn't stop or slow down for anyone. I have learned to live every moment to the fullest and embrace what life throws at me. Don't focus on the past. Focus on the now. Learning to be present and not over think things has taken a lot of practice. I'm a better person for learning to let go. Staying angry at the past takes so much energy that it can consume you. You are only hurting yourself in the end.

10. My dad is always right.

My dad is always right. I have learned to listen to his advice and embrace it. My dad gives some of the best advice and has a world full of insight to offer. Learning to stop being stubborn and embrace the fact that he is always right has done wonders for me. My dad and I have the greatest relationship and I am so lucky to have parents who so openly support me and love me the way mine do.

11. Sometimes in life you have to be selfish.

You have to be kind and care about others, but you also need to take care of yourself, even if that means changing your major, not going out, or just saying the word no. You have to value yourself enough to know when you need a break.

12. Focus on what you're good at and grow from what you're not.

Think about your strengths. Whatever they are, build on them. Don't act like you don't have weaknesses, those can help you be better, but don't dwell on them either. There is nothing wrong with making gains off of your greatest gifts. That's why you were born with them.

13. Comparison truly is the thief of all joy.

Although I now know this is true, I still struggle with it from time to time. I have to remind myself that the grass is green where I water it, and that what matters is MY version of success. Not someone else's and not society's. I determine what I should be doing, and I decide if I should be happy with where I am. Someone else's success is not the benchmark for my own.

14. No one cares, and if they do, its their problem not yours.

Okay, maybe I'm still trying to accept this one...but no one really cares what you do at the gym, or if you just tripped, or if you talk to yourself, or if your shirt is on backwards.

As someone who can get easily embarrassed and self-conscious, I often stop and ask myself, "So what if they saw that? So what if they don't approve of something about me? Am I going to die?" Nah. I'm projecting my thoughts onto others. If someone is really judging you that much, they have some issues of their own to work through. Just do your thing.

15. Listen to your OWN advice.

Have you ever noticed what good advice you give your friends and wish someone would do the same for you? Tell yourself those same things. Boom. Your intuition is always right, and you know it.

16. Be kind, for everyone is going through something.

An oldie, but a goodie. We are all out here leading very different lives and experiencing different things every day, so always be nice, because you never know who's going through what. (Looking at you, people who are rude to customer service workers.)

17. Don't be afraid to cry.

Life is never easy, and some days are better than others. Never be afraid to show your emotions. Sometimes crying is what you need to feel better. Don't be embarrassed to cry during a Disney movie (I mean, come on, those things are SAD). Don't be afraid to mourn. Crying is not a sign of weakness and you are allowed to cry.

18. It's okay if people differ from you.

I used to waste a lot of thoughts over why people are the way they are and why I didn't always click with everybody. I want to click 100% with everyone, but that would mean I have no stable identity because there's no way I could be the same as everyone 100% of the time.

Diversity and difference mix things up. Why would I want everyone to be the exact same as me? I love myself, but variety is the spice of life, and I love spicy.

19. You are smarter and prettier than you think.

I've always struggled with my self-image, both internally and externally. I never thought I was skinny enough or smart enough. I used to think I wasn't good enough. But I had to learn to love myself in college, and that's one of the most valuable lessons an eighteen-year-old girl can learn.

20. Love your siblings.

My brother is the greatest friend I could have ever asked for. I don't know what I've done in this life to have a brother as wonderful as mine. Cherish your siblings; hold them close. Siblings are some of the best gifts in this world. Love them like it.

21. You're never too old.

I wish I would have learned this one sooner. You aren't too old to hold your mom's hand or kiss your dad goodbye as he drops you off at school. You're never too old for Disney movies and you're never too old to build a fort in your living room.

22. You have a purpose.

Everyone on this earth is meant to do something. We all have a fire in our soul that drives us to be the people we are. I've learned to embrace that fire and be passionate about the people and things I love and care about. Sometimes, when it feels the weight of the world is crushing you, remember you are loved and here for a reason. Whatever that reason is for you, believe in yourself.

- B