There are an infinite number of "What I've Learned In My [Insert Age Here]" lists out there. The beauty in them is that each one is different because people are different.
I could list the simple things I've learned in life, such as never to use the Popcorn button on your microwave unless you like black popcorn, that chocolate is okay in moderation and times of sheer emotional desperation, and that a smile has more of an impact on a person than you might think.
Or, I could list the more important things, among them make sure to spend as much time as possible with your grandparents because they're the only living thing linking you to your past, never go to bed angry, and always try your best to say yes to new experiences, even if they scare you.
To commemorate my 26 years of life (and to preface my 27th), and to help my fellow 20-somethings by sharing the wealth of my fountain of knowledge (read that with a tinge of sarcasm), here are the 26 most important things I've learned thus far in my 20s.
1. Comparing yourself to other people isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you're comparing yourself to someone in a better position or someone who has something you're working toward, there really isn't any harm in it. Just don't get caught up in it.
2. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about what you eat. As long as you're okay with yourself at the end of the day, that's all that matters.
3. Invest in a good pillow. Your neck will thank you in the morning.
4. Resist the urge to listen to gossip or judge a country on the actions of its few. Do your own research instead of always listening to the news or going off what your friends say. You'll miss out on some thrilling debates, not to mention a possible great travel destination.
5. You should never have to explain your decisions to anyone. If you want to sleep until noon on your days off, do it and feel no guilt.
6. If you don't like the first drink you order at the bar, send it back. We're talking $8 cocktails here; get your money's worth.
7. For the right person, you won't have to hide any parts of yourself. Be you completely.
8. Forgive others on your own time. Just because someone else has moved on, doesn't mean you should too.
9. Just because you have your own opinions of yourself, that doesn't make them the right ones.
10. Just because others have opinions of you, that doesn't make them right either.
11. Don't believe all the bad things you tell yourself late at night.
12. It's never too late to make a change for yourself.
13. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want, whether it's a raise, more time to complete a task at work, etc.
14. It doesn't make you spoiled to let others take care of you sometimes.
15. Learning to see yourself the way others do is important for your own growth.
16. As much as others may try to dissuade you, sometimes you just have to make your own mistakes to learn something.
17. Many finance gurus advise us to save X amount of money each paycheck, but sometimes that just isn't possible. So save what you can.
18. Don't let anyone keep reminding you of past mistakes. The "you should've done x, y, z"'s have no place in life.
19. You can't ever expect anyone else to really understand what goes on between two people. Remember that for any future relationships you or your friends may have.
20. Compassion is never misplaced.
21. 90% of the time when you're baking, the finished product won't look like the Pinterest picture, but that doesn't mean it won't still taste amazing.
22. Going to bed at 9, or even 8, o'clock doesn't mean you don't have a life.
23. A good way to monitor your actions and keep yourself in check is to ask yourself what lasting impression you're leaving on others. How would you want to be remembered?
24. Traveling abroad is the quickest and easiest way to discover how small of a space you occupy in the world.
25. When you need a reality check, ask a child what they think about you. They never lie. Likewise, you'll know you're an alright person if they approve of you.
26. Do your life your way. What works for one person won't necessarily work for you. After all, that's the reason others like/love you, because you're you. Take comfort in that.
What about you? What did you learn in your 20s that you still remember or use to this day?