23 Things I've Learned by 23

I turned 23 (what) a few weeks ago, and while that feels so much older than 21, I'm still just trying to figure things out while pretending to adult.

1. You only really need a couple of really good friends. The ones who are meant to be in your life will prove time and time again that they are your best friends - through adventures, nights out, nights in, crying and laughing together, and deep talks sitting in the driveway, they're the ones you trust and can't live without.

2. Moving out of your childhood home isn't as scary as it seems. Even though it may suck and be sad or lonely sometimes, moving out doesn't mean you're leaving everything behind - it's just a little different now.

3. Being alone is okay. And I'm still learning to except that. It may not be the best thing in the world, but being by yourself and doing things isn't that bad. It's nice to have a little you time every once in awhile.

4. Animals can make you just as happy as people do. Having pets and feeling the love from them is just as important as having love from your family and friends.

5. Your mom is your best friend. I'm so lucky to be as close to my mom as I am - someone I can always count on and my person to shop with, talk with, get desserts with, workout with, etc. She's always there and I'm so grateful for that.

6. Your gut is usually right. In any situation - with school, relationships, decisions. Always trust what you're really feeling.

7. You may not figure your life out in college. Senior year, I was always told "you'll figure it out in college". In community college, I picked a major to be able to transfer in time. In college, I still didn't figure it out, got my degree, and while I'm working for a company I love, I'm still trying to figure it out.

8. Your boyfriend can be your best friend, just not your only friend. You still need your girl friends and girls days. I love Ryan, but I love my time with my girls and need it just as much. It's so important to find a balance between the most important people in your life.

9. Getting out of your comfort zone is a good thing. I'm still working on that. It's such a hard thing to do, but great things can come from it.

10. You need to let toxic people go. Whether it's a friendship or relationship, if it doesn't make you happy and you're constantly feeling down because of that person - let them go. It may hurt and it may be hard, but life goes on and gets so much better when you don't have to worry about that person.

11. The only person you can truly depend on is yourself. As much as it sucks, friends do come and go. You have to depend on yourself for your happiness and learn to love you.

12. Tell people how you feel. No one will ever know if you love them, if you don't like when they do a certain thing, or what makes you happy if you don't verbally state it. If you miss someone, let them know. If you like someone, tell them.

13. Eating dessert won't kill you. Just don't do it every day (even though you may want to) 😜 .

14. Not going out every weekend is okay. Or not going out at all. Do what you enjoy and what makes you happy - not only what you're "supposed to" at 21.

15. You have to be selfish sometimes. Whether that's in your relationships, your job, your health - you have to put yourself first in certain situations that will help benefit you and make you happy.

16. What you see online isn't necessarily reality. Influencers are our modern day "celebrities" and who we watch and follow online. It's so important to remind yourself that their pretty pictures and "perfect" lives aren't necessarily perfect.

17. It's okay to compare yourself to others. With this influencer world we live in, there are so many pretty, skinny girls that you see every day online. It's normal to compare yourself to others, just don't obsess over it. You are you and they are them, your genetic make up may be different and that's what makes you unique and beautiful in your own individual way.

18. Break ups are terrifying. You may be with someone for a long time and can't picture yourself without them, but if the situation you're in isn't making you happy anymore - that's when you need to be selfish for you. Don't stay in something just because you're scared to be without them. You have to do what's best for you and your happiness, and trust me, you'll find someone else out there that makes you realize why it never quite worked out with the one before.

19. Instagram isn't everything. You don't need to live your life just to get that photo on Instagram to make your feed flow perfectly. Of course it's fun to take photos for Instagram, but make sure you're taking them while you're out living.

20. Life needs to be lived. Remember to look around and see the beauty in life. Go on adventures and spontaneous trips. Take photos to remember the moments, but actually live those moments - good times are what you're going to remember, not if you got the perfect photo.

21. If you want to do something, do it. This could be the smallest thing like going to an amusement park, or big like traveling to another country. If it's attainable, affordable, and you think it may be fun, do it. Don't spend your life wishing you would have done things - if you can and you're able, do them!

22. Be vulnerable with the people you love and trust. Let the ones around you get to know the real you, unplugged and unfiltered. It's the only way you're going to know who your true friends are and who truly loves you.

23. You don't need to have everything figured out in your 20s. In high school, you think people in their 20s have everything together. They're out of college, have real jobs, and are adulting. Truth is, most of us are still confused on what we're supposed to do in life and are still trying to figure it out - and that's okay.

xoxo,