13 Things Everybody Should Learn When Turning 21

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(thanks to my best friend for this postcard)
So.. I finally turned 21. Woohoo! Officially a legal adult! *pops confetti* Although it’s cool and all that I’m considered an adult already….. I’m soooo not ready to be an adult yet. Can I just be a kid forever?!?!?! *insert crying emoji here*
Since I have lived a total of 21 years, I felt like sharing a few things that I have learned throughout my years of life. Some may be relatable or not – well we all go through different shit in life. These are just a few of the things that I think that everyone.. SHOULD learn or at least… know about it if you haven’t turned 21 yet. If you have, hopefully, you have learned these 13 things.

  1. Make more effort to talk to people
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    One thing’s for sure is that I realize if we make effort to talk or approach people, not only does it strengthen the relationship but you also get to know the person even more. Don’t be afraid to make the first move by striking up a conversation with your friends or strangers, even your relatives.
  2. It’s okay to not be okay
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    If you’re not doing so well, don’t think that you are not allowed to feel this way. Don’t ever think that you have to be okay all the time. Allow yourself to have bad days because there will always be good days ahead. Just have your bad days, and pick yourself up the next day.
  3. Accept what is meant to be and move on
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    The boy you loved so much hurt you? The girl you thought was The One turns out not to be? Didn’t managed to get that job? Stop clinging on to something or someone that isn’t meant to be in your life. Learn to let go, and move on. Don’t dwell on the past, focus on your future and see what it’ll bring you. I know it isn’t easy, but for the sake of your happiness, and everyone else.. you have to. Not everything or everyone is meant to stay or be in your life.
  4. Forgive yourself
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    One thing that I am always guilty of is blaming myself for everything. Please, learn to forgive yourself for the mistakes you did or did not do. Everybody makes mistakes, as long as you learn from them that’s all that matters.
  5. Forgive others
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    Why do you need to cause unnecessary stress in your life by not forgiving others for their mistakes? It may not be even their mistake, but don’t shut them off completely. Forgive them, and forget. Trust me, you will feel much better when you do. It feels so much better to put all the drama behind you than holding on to revenge.
  6. Don’t let fear conquer you
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    If you want to try something, GO AHEAD AND JUST DO IT. Don’t think about the what ifs – JUST DO IT! Don’t let fear overcome you and the things that you want to do. You wanna travel to freaking Africa?! Buy a plane ticket right now! Do whatever the heck you wanna do, as long as it makes you happy.
  7. Love yourself
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    You are a precious little creature. One thing that I have learned is that it is SO important to have self-love. Pamper yourself, do whatever. Love yourself because each and every one of you are worth it, you are a goddamn piece of 1000k carat diamond ok – boy or girl.
  8. It’s okay to not have things figured out yet
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    Really, it is OKAY. There is NO rush to plan your future right away, it takes time to get to where you are and where you want to be. It is FINE if you don’t know your future plans or what you want to do in your life. Baby steps, just go with the flow. You’ll be fine. Life is all about trial and error anyway 🙂
  9. Believe in yourself
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    It is so important to believe in yourself because if you don’t, then who will? Other people can believe in you, but if you don’t then there is no point. In the end, the decisions you have to make will always come back to you. Everything is your choice, so believe in your capabilities. Confidence is the key to everything. Even if you don’t have confidence, fake it. Act like you do because confidence is what creates a great impact on everyone, even yourself.
  10. Always be kind
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    Always, always, always be kind to others. You’ll never know if your simple actions will make that person’s day. When you’re kind to others, in return you will feel good as well.
  11. Surround yourself with positivity
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    Don’t be around people that constantly puts you down, say mean things and make you feel guilty all the time. If that person is always making you upset or hurting you, let them go. Be with people that are constantly lifting you up. You don’t need unnecessary toxic people in your life. There’s just no time for that shit.
  12. Life is short
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    You may have lost someone that you love or someone you know. As each day passes by, you don’t know when will anyone’s deathbed be, even your own. Appreciate every living moment and every single person you know because you’ll never know when will be the last time on Earth. You only live once after all.
  13. Choose happiness
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    Choose happiness. You are in charge of how you feel every day. Even if there are days when you don’t choose happiness, choose it the next day anyway. You are in charge of how you feel every day. It isn’t easy, but it is possible. You can do it.

There’s more, I think… but I don’t want to write too long. Some points might be even the same or related.
Welp, here’s to many more years of… adulthood.
If any of you have anything else that you’ve learned, do share your thoughts! 🙂
x chelle