Forever 21

Your 20's will be fun they said, they'll be the best years of your life they said. As soon as I turned 21, I swear I instantly got into adult mode. It's like a big "you're an adult now" cloud started circling around my head. Don't get me wrong, my 20's are definitely fun so far, even though I'm only 2 years in, but people forget to mention all of the hard work you have to put in, in order to relax in your 30's. My 20's have taught me some things already. By 25 I can't even imagine all the lessons I would have learned. Here's some things I've learned so far: 

- The power of letting go

- Differentiating what's worth it and what isn't

- Recommitting to my goals

- The rest of the world is worth seeing

- To be thankful

- To live everyday like it's your last

And some of these things may have been learned years ago for you, but for me my 20's have widened my eyes to focusing on a better me. 

I'm not looking forward to some things my 20's will bring though. The heartaches, the losses, the setbacks, I know the worst and the best has yet to come, but I'm anxious to see myself and where I will be in the next 5-10 years. I use to look forward to my 20's and thought I had it all mapped out. Go to school, graduate by 22, get engaged by 23, married by 24, have my first child by 25. Yea, it sounded great when I was 18, but now that I'm 21, I see that something has to change. Here I am 21, awaiting graduation, awaiting for my future husband to start my life with and beyond all of those things when I was 18 I forgot to consider my job, my place of residence and all of the other personal things I wish to accomplish like self love and pure happiness. Now my line-up is more like this; graduate by 22, travel the world in my 23rd year, reside somewhere other than Baltimore by 24, have a stable job by 25 and the rest will be unwritten until it has flowed into my life. All in all, my 20's are teaching me to slow down. All my life I've been on green, just ready to go, thinking way beyond my years. Now I'm more on yellow, cautious, at ease and patient. It's okay to not have it figured out. Here I am, 21 and goal oriented and ready for life to let whatever flow in my direction and be meant for me. For those reading this and are already Ms.20somethings, you can attest to this, but for those who are not yet in their 20's let me just tell you that you are at the perfect stage in your life to redirect your energy, your focus and your attention to be a better you. Take this time to really enjoy the now and don't stress over what your 20's may bring because no matter how hard you try to direct your steps or prevent things from happening, what is meant for you will always be for you and will happen regardless. Now, can we make a toast for us all living our best lives whether it be 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50.