You don't have to be anything just because you were in the past.
Being single won't decrease your quality of life.
At age 25, I'm hardly an adult.
But oh boy am I grown up compared to who I was in college.
If I could go back in time, I'd have quite a few things to tell my former self, and save a lot of stress, time, and energy:
1. People won’t get mad at you for asking for help.
You’ll be surprised how much they actually want to help.
2. If you’re going to take the time to draft a text message to someone, just send it.
They’ll probably be happy to hear from you.
3. Ironically, being picky about who you spend your time with leaves you more options.
When you surround yourself with jerks, you get the impression that everyone’s a jerk, and the good people fade into the background.
4. I know cleaning your room sounds like a thing you do when you’re 9 and your parents are scolding you, but it really does improve your peace of mind.
I don’t know why, but it works.
5. The reason you have trouble with dating is that people can sense your desperation.
When you come off like you don't have any options, people assume there must be a reason.
6. You know those career goals you haven't pursued because you assume you won't achieve them anyway?
Well, you actually can and will, so don’t waste anymore time!
Start now.
7. It’s OK to spend money!
There’s no point in making it otherwise.
You will never regret spending money on trips, mental health, and other things that enhance your life.
There’s such a thing as being too frugal.
8. The happier and more active (within reason) you are, the better your body image will be.
It will never be great, but that’s OK.
Strive for progress, not perfection.
9. Literally every guy or girl you are going to obsess over within the next few years will seem like a complete nobody to you by the time you're 25.
Seriously.
10. Your parents can be wrong. Your parents can be wrong.
Repeat it after me.
Your parents can be wrong.
11. While we're at it, your friends can be wrong too.
Even the ones you look up to the most. Even the older ones who seem to have all their shit together.
Don't take every issue they have with you personally.
They can be wrong.
12. If you've learned to think of yourself as a “shy” person, you're not.
You're really an outgoing, outrageous person who's a little afraid to show that.
Don't let outside observers tell you who you are. They don't know.
13. You know what else you’re actually not? A “night owl.”
You just haven’t discovered your inner morning person yet.
When you do, you’ll get a lot more productive.
14. Not everybody has good intentions.
Life will make so much more sense once you understand this.
15. Being single won't decrease your quality of life.
Yes, even if it lasts months — even if it lasts years.
Get comfortable with it, and it won't seem like a big deal anymore.
16. Stop agreeing to things that will make you resent the people who suggested them.
Better to be disappointing now than to be bitter later.
17. Literally none of your future employers will ever know your grades.
Yes, strive to do your best, but if you fall short, it won't really matter.
18. You're not too sensitive.
You're not twisting things around.
When people make you feel shitty, it's generally because they're being shitty.
19. Learn this saying: “If it's not a hell yes, it's a hell no.”
Now, apply it to everything from your dates to your dinner orders.
20. You don't have to be anything just because you were in the past.
Don't let anyone, including yourself, tell you who you are.
If you don't like a label that's been applied to you, decide to be different.
21. I'm calling BS on your need to “do something mindless” before you sleep.
You can literally just lie down and think happy thoughts.
This will save you a lot of time down the line — though, I’ll admit, you may not become a Bachelor expert this way.
