22 Things I’ve Learned by Age 22

As soon as you stop caring what others think about you, that’s when you start living. The opinions of others literally do not matter at all (until you tell yourself the opposite).

Kindness goes a long way. Both parties benefit — it’s been scientifically proven! When we go out of our way to be kind to others, it actually increases our own happiness as well.

Happiness comes from within yourself; never rely on anyone else. People are straight up unreliable! Be your own best friend, always.

Get out of your comfort zone. Life is short.

Actions speak so much louder than words. Words mean nothing if they don’t correspond with the actions associated with them.

True friends are hard to find, don’t lose them. Quality over quantity!

Being single is okay. In fact, I believe everyone should have a period of their life that is dedicated to improving themselves.

Remove all the negativity in your life. Get rid of things that don’t add to your overall life satisfaction. Delete some numbers! Do a social media cleanse! You’re always in control.

Pretending not to care about anything isn’t cool. Feelings are a part of being human. It’s okay to cry. Embrace those deep emotions.

Communicate with your family on a regular basis. Let them you know you’re thinking about them.

Shut up for a second and just listen.

Learn to find a balance of using both the mind and heart to make decisions. When you begin leaning on one side, you likely won’t be a fan of the outcome.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions whenever you’re confused about anything. You might learn something new.

Self care isn’t selfish. Taking care of yourself is so important and necessary. Do a face mask, take a bubble bath, spend a night or two during the week to binge your favorite show on Netflix, sleep until noon.

Don’t compare yourself to others in terms of growth and or success. Each of us bloom differently and at individual rates. We are on unique paths.

We are simply unable to love someone else until we love ourselves first. Go on a self love journey before getting into a committed relationship.

Don’t wait a day, week, month, or year. Live today as if it were your last. None of us know what the future holds.

It’s easy to be negative with how chaotic our world is. Try to focus on the positives more often. Make an effort to consciously think about the good things in life, because constant negativity can quickly consume your daily thoughts.

Educate yourself about politics and remain somewhat in the loop of what is happening in current news. I know, it can be exhausting and depressing. But please do your research and take action based on your personal opinions. Future generations depend on it.

Work hard for what you want. Don’t ever give up. Let setbacks fuel your motivation.

It’s not what actually happens to you, but rather how you respond and bounce back.

Learn how to cook simple meals. It’s actually hella fun.