a.       Contrary to popular belief, most of us have no clue where we are going in life anymore. We see all these people graduating and we think, OH MY GOSH!! That person is going to be so successful in life, I’m such a failure. Or it makes you feel like crap because you’re not doing anything with the degree you’ve earned. Or heaven forbid, you never got a college degree. Alert the media!! Truth is, most of us have no idea what it’s really like in the “real” world outside of school, Facebook, and Twitter. We’re still trying to figure it out. Share what you know with others. Ask those who are where you want to be for advice. Take some deep breaths and know that you don’t have to have your entire life planned out. We all know plans are subject to change,

2.       Being a wife/mother is not something you have to rush into

a.       This was a nice reality check for me. I thought once I had a child, I have to become a wife AT THAT VERY MOMENT!!! But that’s not so. The biggest complaint I hear from women my age is “I really thought I’d be married with kids by now. Or at least have a boyfriend.” Who cares if you’re single. Enjoy the time. Figure out yourself before you stumble into a relationship and realize all the stuff you thought you liked you really don’t. Bad relationships suck the life out of you. Trust me. I know. And kids? They’ll kill you slowly if you’re not ready for them. Trust me. I know. Just wait. Enjoy being able to sleep through the night and running errands without having to tag a little person along. Did I mention enjoy sleeping?

3.       “The One” aka Your Perfect Soul Mate Does Not Exist

a.       Disney has ruined us. We all look for the perfect mate to sweep us off our feet and take us to some magical place in heaven every time we see their face. It’s crap. Find someone that you love waking up too AND you can deal with their quirks. I love that my boyfriend does sweet little things for me when he knows I’m feeling down. I hate the fact that he farts at the kitchen table. He tries to make all of my days good days despite the fact that he can be overly annoying sometimes. But you know what, his imperfections make him human. Stop trying to find Mr. or Mrs. Perfect and find someone who just feels like Mr. or Mrs. Right. You’ll know when they come along.

4.       Do Not Compare Yourself To Others – Most Of Your Friends Are Going Through Some Pretty Messed Up Stuff Too

a.       Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is going to be the death of self-esteem. We see people every day with seemingly perfect bodies, perfect babies, great jobs, and all the jazz. And it makes us die a little each time. But you know what, this is the life they want us to see, not what their life is really like. Who knows what they’re really going through? Be happy for their successes and move on. And if you’re really that envious, think about it like this. If they can do it, so can you.

5.       If You Don’t Like Something Change it. If you can’t change it, learn to like it.

a.       After I had my son, I had some serious body issues. Like, badly. My boyfriend kept telling me, go to the gym if you don’t like how you look. I wanted to kill him. But you know what, he was right. If I don’t like the way I look, I should do something about it. So I did. I started doing Insanity. Granted, I only got to the third day. But still, I did something. It’s the same thing with life. If you can change something you don’t like, change it. But if it’s something that you cannot change (like these ungodly stretch marks on my stomach), then learn to live with it. It’s not the end of the world. It’s just a learning curve.

6.       If you can’t cook, learn.

a.       This is not if you just plan to be a spouse one day. You are going to need to eat. And contrary to popular belief, you are going to get tired of eating fast/restaurant food (and it gets very expensive). Learn to cook the basics that you like. I started with pasta and veggies. Not only will you feel way more accomplished, but when you wake up at three in the morning hungry, you won’t have to stress about what’s still open. Just remember to have a budget for groceries. You can’t cook if you have no food to make.

7.       Clean up sometimes. Your surroundings have a huge impact on how you feel.

a.       You are an adult. Clean up. Sheesh. Pick up your dirty freaking socks off of the floor. Wash the dishes after dinner. Fold your laundry so it’s easier to see your clothes when you’re trying to find something to wear. See how much better you feel when you walk into a clean room/house. It doesn’t have to be immaculate, just livable. Mommy and daddy are not going to be there to clean up after you forever.

8.       Call your parents. They still want to hear from you.

a.       Our parents become second to our friends. And then they become third underneath our spouse and our friends when we get into a relationship. If you parents give a damn about you, imagine how they are feeling when you really leave the house for good. Especially when they watch the five o’clock news. They swear every murder story is about you. Call them. Check on them. Tell them you love them. See what’s new in their lives. Older people really have some gems to share. Just do it. Because sadly, they will not be here forever.

9.       Forgive.

a.       Yourself and others. It sucks when your best friend sleeps with your boyfriend. It sucks when you get fired and the boss’s son who does absolutely nothing gets to keep his job. It sucks when you spend three years in a relationship and it comes to an end. Forgive and move on. Not for the other person, but for you as well. Grudges eat away at your insides. It’s painful. Trust me. I know. You don’t ever have to talk to the person again. Just forgive and move the hell on. The end.

10.   Never alter your beliefs to fit society. Do you.

a.       It’s hard living in the Bible Belt and questioning whether God really exists. But you know what, sometimes you just have to stick to your guns. Society will try to push things into your head. And at this point in our lives we’re starting to form our true identities, apart from what our families and friends may think and believe. It is up to you to decide what you believe and what you think is crap. Stay true to you. Respect other people’s beliefs. Listen to what they have to say. But always remember, stay true to you.

11.   Procrastination is the tool of the devil.