15 Of The Most Important Things I Learned By 25

I’m 25 now, which means I’m at the prime list making, wisdom-sharing, self-indulging stage of my life. So it’s obviously only natural that I would want to share my gathered knowledge with you, dear reader! So without further ado, here are the 15 most important things I learned by 25.

1. Cheap clothes almost always look cheap, but if you like ‘em, buy ‘em anyways. Just don’t wear them to that huge job interview.

2. Bitching about all of the things that are going wrong in your life literally gets you nowhere. One of my life’s mottos is “do something or don’t bitch.” You only have the right to complain if you’ve done everything you can to change your situation.

3. Your weight should not have an impact on how you see yourself. I weigh 195 pounds, but I feel pretty damn good about the way I look. Confidence, as we all know, is key. Own your many (or very, very few) rolls.

4. Graduating from university does not mean you know what the fuck you’re doing next. Sometimes it means you’re even more confused than you were on your first day.

5. The odds of you landing your dream job the second you graduate are really slim. Don’t stress if it takes a couple of years to get on a path that you are confident in.

6. Living your life on a timeline is like setting yourself up for failure. Unexpected things derail your plans; the stars don’t always align just right. But your time will come.

7. Seeing the world is extremely important. Experiencing a new culture is outstanding, and will teach you a lot. Go explore.

8. Sometimes our best learning happens outside of the classroom. In fact, I would say that most of it happens in our every day interactions. Don’t forget to find the little lessons in your day-to-day life.

9. Going to the dentist sucks, but untreated cavities suck even more. Just go. Your beautiful smile and healthy mouth will thank you.

10. Never feel like you’re somehow “less-than” because you’re single. Some of the best days of my life happened when I was single. Embrace it.

11. Never feel like you’re somehow “less-than” because you’re attached. I love my husband, our relationship, and our life together. Being single was amazing, but I wouldn’t trade my current life for it.

12. Sometimes, you have to make the leap. Sometimes it’s a job; sometimes it’s a travel opportunity. For me, it was moving to a new country. The worst-case scenario was that I would hate it and move back home, which was a way better alternative than always wondering “what if?”

13. Experience the unknown. Take that basket weaving class at the local art center; learn how to do aerial yoga. Enroll in a business management seminar. Just try something totally new to you.

14. Listen to music every single day. It heals your heart.

15. Above all else, make yourself happy first. Follow your path, no matter where it takes you, no matter what others will think of it. It’s your choices that make you who you are, so why not choose what makes you happiest?