1. If you can spend $100 on a single pair of Levis, you can invest $100 into your future.

Open a retirement savings account, an IRA, a Roth IRA, or a money market account, whatever works for you. Future you will thank you. 

2. Your worth is not based on someone else’s opinion of you. 

Don’t let the way someone else thinks of you to impact how you feel about yourself. You are unique, and don’t you dare forget it.

3. Update your resume and make it look professional. 

Everyone should have an updated resume to reference. If you don’t know how to perfect it, ask!

4. Call your parents and tell them you love them. 

Or if you’re me, also call and apologize for my behavior from the age of 15-18. It was a total nightmare. 

5. Wear sunscreen! 

This isn’t a joke- it’s crucial- and could save your life. 

6. Separate your whites from your colors when you’re doing laundry.

 In the words of my grandma, “You only need to use hot water when you’re washing bedding or towels,” so use cold water on your clothes. 

7. At the end of the day, a job is just a job. 

Never stay in a place where you are unhappy. There are so many opportunities out there for you. You’ll never find them if you’re stuck somewhere you don’t want to be. 

8. Comparison is the thief of joy.

Do you know who you should be comparing yourself to? The yesterday you. Not anybody else. Trying to be someone else is exhausting and futile. 

9. If you cannot afford to tip, you cannot afford to eat out. 

I might feel this one so strongly because I’ve worked in the service industry for years, but those individuals do their best to serve you, and gratuity is how they make a living. Respect it. 

10. Create a budget. 

It doesn’t need to be fancy, but you need an outline. I follow the 50/20/30 rule and use a google forum and google sheet document from someone I follow on social media. You can read my budget post here, and I’ll link her account as well. 

11. Create an exercise routine. 

You don’t need to go crazy and run a marathon or start doing two-a-days at the gym, but at the very least, try to get up and get active as much as you can. You can read about my favorite things to do when I don’t want to workout, but still want to move in a post here.

12. You are never too old to have a wild night out.

You are too old to blackout three nights a week. There comes a time when having the time of your life too many times can become problematic. Just remember that balance is critical. 

13. Take a 24-hour break from all technology. 

We spend too much time on our laptops, cellphones, and in front of the T.V. Trust me, I’m guilty of it also, but taking a 24-hour break from everything can help relax your brain and give yourself a much-needed rest. 

14. Be open to trying new food.

I’m not too fond of mushrooms and horseradish, never have been and probably never will, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try them a try now and again. Try fresh food and stop ordering mac and cheese and chicken tenders everywhere you go. 

15. Learn to trust people a bit more.

Not everyone deserves your trust, sometimes you have to find out the hard way, and that’s okay. You can live life a bit more open.

16. Craft a skincare routine and stick to it.

It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t need to take 30 minutes, but pick some products and a regiment that works for you and keep up with it. Your skin will thank you later in your life. 

17. For the love of God, proofread EVERYTHING.

Maybe it’s because I majored in professional writing in college- no, it definitely is because I majored in writing in college, but please, for goodness sake, proofread your emails, your texts, essays, and reports. It’s important, trust me.

18. It’s okay to have sad moments in your life.

Sometimes life gets unbelievably hard and knocks you down. It’s okay to be sad for a bit- that’s normal. Be sad about it, cry a little bit, and then get on with your life. (That was a Kevin Hart reference) 

19. Stop going out to eat every night.

One: it’s incredibly unhealthy. Two: it’s way too expensive (a reference to #12). Three: learning how to cook yourself delicious food is an absolute must. 

20. Have some damn confidence.

Yes, you can pull off that dress. Yes, you should give that person a call. Yes, you should apply for that job. Yes, you should start that business. Yes, you can publish that book. Yes, you can launch that website- the list goes on. It will be hard work and sometime you’ll want to quit, but have some damn confidence.

Comment below if you have any other things that NEED to be added to this list. I would love to hear them!