Today I wanted to share with you 25 things I’ve learned in the 25 years I’ve been alive. I recently had my birthday back in December and I realized I have learned quite a lot, especially in the last few years. I definitely have a lot more to learn, but I think I’ve done pretty well for myself so far.

Your life isn’t over if you have to leave college for a few years.

• I had a really rough few years back in 2015-2017 and had to leave school for my mental health. It really tore me up that I couldn’t finish the program and had let my mental state get as bad as it had without telling anyone. But I’ve recently been looking into online programs and will potentially be going back to school in the next few months.

1. BUDGET and save your money!

   • The newest, hot items are not worth having to eat ramen or sandwiches all the time. Plan out your weekly or monthly budgets and stick to them. Try to save all of the money that you can. Your next emergency will thank you.

2. You don’t need to keep the toxic friends in your life.

   • Just because y’all have memories together, doesn’t mean you need to keep friends in your life if they have become toxic. You are not a bad person for putting you and your mental health first.

3. Compromise!

   • If you are living with someone or traveling with friends, you need to be able to compromise. If you don’t like the same foods, offer to wait to get something else or offer to go off and grab something else to eat. And it goes both ways. See if y’all can make a plan to try something you like one day and the next they can choose.

4. It’s a waste of time to make people like you.

   • Not everyone will like you, and THAT’S OKAY! Focus on the people who do like you and you will feel so much happier.

5. Always wear comfortable shoes to the club, when traveling, etc.

   • Those super cute pumps and wedges are not worth the pain after 30 minutes of walking or dancing. Put those away and put on some sneakers or cute ankle boots. Your feet will thank you!

6. Take risks.

   • As someone who is a bit set in their ways, my favorite memories are when I’ve gotten out of my comfort zone.

7. Once you begin exercising on a regular basis, your mood will change.

   • I finally joined a gym this year and have loved going and working out. I’ve even begun to see a change in my overall mood and mental health.

8. Drink lots of water!

   • I know everyone says it, but it’s true. Try to drink as much water as you can. I’ve started using this 40oz bottle that keeps my water cold for hours and I love it!

9. Most people only post their happy moments on social media.

   • Don’t feel jealous or compare yourself to people’s online persona. They likely aren’t happy all of the time and it’s okay to feel other emotions.

10. Write to-do lists!

    • I love myself a good to-do list. It feels amazing when I’m able to check things off. I also use lists to grocery shop and it helps me to stay on budget and not get a bunch of random snacks.

11. Learn something every day!

    • Take the time to learn something new. Whether that’s watching a Youtube tutorial, reading a book, or just watching a documentary. Stimulate your mind!

12. It’s okay to change your mind.

    • It is completely okay to pivot and change your mind about things. We live so long and it’s okay to not know exactly what you want to do or go to school for. I changed my major 3 times before I had to leave for a few years. And I might be going back into a different major in the next few months.

13. Relationships are complicated.

    • Relationships are not always going to be happy and go lucky all of the time. Just know that if you’ve hit a rough patch in a friendship or romantic relationship, that it will get better as long as you work at it. Communicate with them and let them know how you are feeling. But be willing to compromise and listen to them as well.

14. You cannot please everyone.

    • Not everyone is going to be pleased with your decisions and THAT’S OKAY! Stick to your gut and make yourself happy. That’s all that you can do.

15. You can’t grow without the pain of self-reflection.

    • The most painful thing is to self-reflect and know that you were wrong in some decisions and might have hurt someone in the process. Don’t be scared to do this and know that as long as you apologize sincerely and learn from it, everything will be okay.

16. It’s okay to have a small group of friends.

    • You don’t need to have a large group of friends to be happy. Quality over quantity!!

17. Life is short!

    • Let your loved ones know that you love them every day. You never know when you will lose someone close to you. Also go eat that Reese’s cup that you feel guilty for buying. One dessert isn’t going to mess up your macros/health journey.

18. It’s never too late to start something new!

    • Just because you are in your mid-twenties or in your thirties, that doesn’t mean you can’t go back to school or switch careers! Maybe you will find your new favorite hobby or a new career path you never thought about.

19. Love hurts, but is totally worth it.

    • I’m definitely guilty of this. I’ve been hurt in the past and let that deter me from starting new relationships. This year I am really going to focus and allow my heart to be open to new people and experiences.

20. Forgiveness is for you, not the offending party.

    • Something I’ve always said. Just because you forgive someone doesn’t mean their actions are negated. Forgiveness is for you and your heart, not for them.

21. Communication is the most important part of any relationship.

    • Communicate, communicate, communicate. The other person in the relationship cannot know what’s wrong if you don’t tell them. And it goes both ways. Set up a healthy dialogue where you both can talk and actively LISTEN to each other.

22. Put your phone down!

    • In the era of social media and always feeling out of the loop, it’s okay to put your phone down when eating dinner with friends or hanging out with each other. I make it a point to put my phone in my bag or my pocket when I’m out with my friends. I can always update instagram or twitter when I’m home.

23. Be kind, always.

    • This is super important. Always treat others how you want to be treated. I like to be treated with kindness, so I always make it a point to be kind to everyone, even if I don’t necessarily like them.

24. Be yourself!!

    • One of the most important things I’ve learned. Be your authentic and wonderful self. There is no one like you in the world and that’s what makes you unique and awesome!

Thanks for reading! Leave me a comment below and tell me something that you’ve learned recently!

xoxo, brittaney.

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