Here are all the things I have learned at my wise age of 23:

1. Life doesn’t turn out how you plan it to

Most of the time, life doesn’t ever turn out the way you want it. We all make plans for our lives, but sometimes the plans don’t carry the result you want. That’s okay. Life changes and still goes on. Even if something doesn’t work out for you, other opportunities will.

2. Expect the unexpected

There’s not much in this world that surprises me anymore. Just like life doesn’t always turn out how you plan it, life can also bring a lot of unexpected obstacles. So don’t get your hopes up. Evolve and flow with the changes in your life. Growth can be uncomfortable, but that’s how you flourish and rise to your potential.

3. College was (actually) really easy

The stresses of college are a lot different than the stresses that come with adulthood. College doesn’t even come close. Adulting brings more challenges and obstacles than college ever did. Compared to living in the adult world, college was a walk in the park.

4. The adult world is not all that it’s cracked up to be

Adulthood sucks. Let’s be honest here. We all have days where we don’t want to adult. I wish I could go back to being a kid where I didn’t have to worry about my job, student loans, and figuring out my future. But here we are. You’re looking at adulting at its finest.

5. The job market is tough. It’s okay if you can’t find a job right away

A year of job applying later, and I’m still unemployed with a job in my degree field. The past year has been rough for job applicants, so if you still don’t have yet, it’s okay. Eventually, you will obtain the right job for you.

6. People will try to scam you into getting a job

Yes, there are people like that out there, and it’s a shame. Always be aware of the scammers because you will most likely encounter some throughout your life.

7. Don’t feel ashamed to move back in with your parents to save money

These times are hard. If you have to move back in with your parents, there is no shame. Moving in with your parents again can help you save money while you figure out your next move. If you still live with your parents, you’re cool.

8. Your timeline will be different than your friends

We all have our paths. Our path is going to look different than everyone else’s. That is normal. We all have our destinies in this world. Your path is not meant to be like anyone else’s.

9. You might outgrow some of your friends

Unfortunately, this part of adulthood can suck. There will be people in our lives who are only here for a few chapters. Let the temporary people go. The people who are meant to stay in your life will always stay.

10. You will be disappointed (a lot), so get used to it

There is a lot about life that is disappointing. Disappointment comes with life, so we just have to deal with it and try not to get our hopes up. Don’t focus on the disappointments. There will be so many other opportunities that come your way. Life’s too short to focus on the disappointments. Focus on positivity and find the silver lining. If something doesn’t work out for you, it’s because something better is coming to you.

11. Life is not passing you by quickly

It may seem like time flies by, and it does, but that’s not a bad thing. You still have time. You have so much time to achieve what you want. We’re young and have so much life to live!

12. There’s a lot to becoming a new car owner that school never teaches you

One of the joys of adulthood is becoming a car owner. I didn’t know how much there was involved with buying a car. There’s paperwork, inspections, titles, and money. There’s a lot to keep track of, and you don’t learn this until you try to buy a car for the first time. Sometimes I wish high school would have had more practical classes to teach us these things.

13. People can be hateful and cruel (complete a**holes)

People are mean, point-blank. There are always going to be rude people in the world. You will encounter people you don’t like and who don’t like you either. You won’t get along with everyone, and that’s okay. Just remember to spread kindness and love. A little bit of kindness can go a long way.

14. There are a lot of idiots in the world (yes, you will encounter a lot of those)

Along with the meanies, there are also idiotic people that you will encounter throughout your life. Similarly to #13, if you experience incompetent and moronic people, be the bigger person and keep flourishing in your life. Nobody likes to be around negative Nancies.

15. My parents did a great job at raising me

Once you experience those negative people who have no respect or kindness, you realize how good of a job your parents did in raising you. I feel very thankful for the way my parents raised me. The morals and wisdom they instilled in me have made me into the person I am today. For that, I am grateful.

16. Be patient, you can’t get everything all at once

Patience is a virtue. It can be hard to wait for your life to turn out how you would like it to, but good things take time. Eventually, you will achieve everything you are meant to.

17. The world is your oyster

This cliche saying is very accurate. There are so many opportunities out there for us to grasp. Break barriers and step outside your comfort zone. Take a risk and try something different. Life is too short to live with regrets, so get out there and try new things. You never know what can be made from them.

18. It’s better to not be in a relationship at this point of your life

My single self is thankful that I am not in a relationship right now because it’s been hard to figure out what I want to do in my life. It can be challenging to establish your life and career while also considering another person who may not have the same ambitions and paths that you will.

19. You have time. Slow down

It’s easy to get caught up in this fast-paced world but slow down. Take a moment to just be in the present. There’s so much beauty in the present. If we don’t slow down, we might miss some of the best parts of life.

20. If it won’t be a problem tomorrow, don’t stress about it

There is no need to stress yourself out and overthink things out of your control. We can’t control everything, no matter how much we wish we could. It will be okay. It’s not the end of the world. You will get through whatever problem you are facing. Remember to take care of yourself and not stress too much over something that won’t be relevant tomorrow.

21. Don’t waste your energy on negativity. It’s not worth your mental health and happiness

Why waste your energy on negativity and toxicity when there’s so much positivity? It may not seem like there’s a lot of positive things in the world right now, but there are still some positivities in our lives. We woke up this morning, we got to see the sunlight, and we are remaining healthy. There’s positivity in the small things we don’t always notice. It’s better to think about the small positives in your life than worry over the negativities that you cannot change.

22. Social media is not reality

Not everything you see on social media is true. Try not to get caught in all the bs that comes with social media. At the end of the day, social media is just an app you can delete. Social media is great for memes, funny jokes, and catching up with people you haven’t seen in a while, but it shouldn’t overrun your life. If your mental health is becoming diminished by the overwhelming plasters of social media, take a break from the apps. Your wellbeing is so much more important than an app.

23. I am capable of achieving my dreams

Say this affirmation with me. I am capable of achieving my dreams. Believe it and make it a reality!

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Listen to Love R.’s podcast Episode 7 for a more in-depth discussion!

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*Episode written and recorded in 2021*