While it may not be as exciting as turning 21, turning 22 feels like a big deal. I’m a senior, graduating soon, and officially in the early 20’s girl gang. Not to sound cliche, but I feel super old. While I still find myself bumbling through situations in which I feel like I know nothing, I’ve realized that 22 years has provided me with a decent amount of life experience.
Do I know how to french braid? No. Am I confident in my ability to do long division? Not at all.
Here are 22 things that I have learned in my 22 years on this planet. In no particular order
1. Do not underestimate the power of a good study session.
Whether you knock out 6 assignments in 2 hours or walk out of an exam knowing you crushed it, a good study session can really do wonders to your school work and frame of mind. Remember in elementary school when we would all proudly be like, I never study for tests..? Yeah, that doesn’t fly anymore.
2. Take up space…
You have the right to exist on this planet. You are here and you deserve to be. Take up the space that you need.
3. …But, be respectful of others.
This can easily be applied to me swinging my arms around while walking down the streets of New York and accidentally hitting like 20 people, but the message is there. Take up space but be respectful of others as well.
4. Recognize that friendships may change and that’s okay.
It can be really hard drifting apart from someone you were once extremely close to. Sometimes school, work, and life all create an unavoidable distance in a friendship. It’s no one’s fault, and it can be rough, but recognizing that sometimes that’s just the way it goes can save a lot of regrets and heartache.
5. Always take your makeup off before you go to sleep.
Seriously. No matter how tired or drunk you are.
6. FOMO is real, but don’t let anything stop you from a night in if that’s what you want or need.
Seriously, sometimes all you want is to curl up in bed and binge, no matter what parties or events are going on. Don’t let anyone try to guilt you for taking the time to have a night in.
7. Don’t let yourself fall victim to trends.
Don’t get sucked into buying something or doing something just because everyone else is. Believe me, it’s one of the worst ways to waste time, money, or energy. This is my version of saying “Don’t jump off a bridge just because everyone else would!”
8. Save, save, save!
Seriously! Always save part of your paycheck and don’t let yourself dip into your savings account unless absolutely necessary. Seriously, don’t be 22 like me and have less dollars than your age in your savings account.
9. Learn how to cook.
Cooking may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Even if you’re the kind of person who burns water, learning a few simple meals that can feed yourself or maybe impress a guest is an incredibly useful life skill to have.
10. Don’t let “looking ugly” or “not wearing makeup” prevent you from living your life.
I know, I know. Some days you just don’t feel great and you don’t particularly want to go out into the world. But don’t let a breakout or bad hair day keep you from enjoying plans that you’ve been looking forward to. Acne fades but memories last forever.
11. When spring cleaning, donate/sell as many items as you can rather than throwing them away.
Take it from someone who donates and then thrifts most of her wardrobe about every six months: sustainability is key. Not only do you have the chance to make a difference and possibly earn some extra cash, you never know what treasure you may find as well.
12. Register to vote…. And VOTE!
I think we often forget how much power we have to make change. When you’re a kid, you feel almost dragged through life. When you grow up, you start learning to forge your way through it. Never forget the power you have to take charge of your life and make a difference. Voting is your right!
13. Take advantage of extra credit and scholarships.
Seriously, it’s free money and free points. Basically my motto is, “if it’s free, it’s for me”.
14. Remove yourself from toxic people and situations, but try your best not to burn bridges.
I know I’m not qualified to give advice on every situation, which is why this one sounds very vague. I remember graduating high school, it was very tempting to tell off a lot of people that I had very strong feelings about, but a few years after high school I realized that none of it mattered anymore. Not only that but, who’s exactly like they were in high school? I know I’m not.
15. Call your family.
I know I’m not qualified to give family advice either, but I can tell you that we often forget that our siblings, parents, cousins, aunts and uncles are all growing older and living their own lives. I was discussing this with one of my cousins recently. When you’re a kid, your parents arrange for you to spend time with family, but when you get older it becomes your responsibility. It’s strange to have to take the time to stay in contact with your family, but oh so worth it.
16. Write stuff down!
That’s all I can say about that.
17. Quality over quantity
This applies to so many things in your life. Friends, food, exercise, parties, events, etc.
18. Being single can be good, being in a relationship can be good.
I’m really not qualified to give relationship advice. I personally find many benefits to being single, but I know that a lot of people are really happy in their relationships. What I really want to say is this, make sure you’re happy and don’t settle.
19. Try not to take yourself too seriously.
Humiliation softens the soul, afterall.
20. Be proud of your accomplishments.
Be humble, but celebrate all that you’ve accomplished. Even making it through another semester of college is worth celebrating!
21. Trust your gut.
Lots of people will try to tell you what to do with your life (or give you a list of 22 pieces of advice like I am right now), but the only person you really need to listen to is yourself.
22. Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.
Yup.
There it is, 22 things I’ve learned in my 22 years of life. Maybe some of it has merit, and maybe some of it was corny. Either way, I’m so incredibly grateful for my 22 years of this life and am so excited to keep growing and learning as much as I possibly can.