22 Things I learned as I turned 22

Disclaimer- This is NOT clickbait!

First of all, if you clicked on this and are reading this, thank you. And if you love honest, raw, and real writing, please stick around!

I write this as my birthday draws close to an end and I am so thankful for the fact that this year was one of the happiest years of my life.

I am someone who learnt things the hard way as all of us do. But I want to capture this feeling, this phase of life, this wisdom I think I have at 22.

Here’s me feeling 22!

So, without much ado, here goes-

1. Love yourself. Not in the cliched way that most Bollywood movies or Self-help books tell you to. Accept your flaws and all and work on yourself because you love yourself.
2. Being kind never goes out of fashion. But never be so kind that you forget to be clever.
3. Work on yourself, by yourself, and for yourself. Don’t compete against yourself.
4. Make friends. Shit load of them. I kid you not that’s the best class of life you will ever attend. Their sorrows and stories and their laughter and love shape you in a way that romance never can.
5. Start seeing your parents as people instead of parents. Trust me it's the greatest life hack to exist.
6. Fall in love but never lose your sense of self in that said love. Keep doing it until you find someone who doesn’t make you feel like love is something you fall in but something beautiful that you experience and live through.
7. Buy that book, go visit that museum, watch that movie regardless of whether you have company or not.
8. Put your independence and self-sufficiency over everything else. I repeat! EVERYTHING ELSE.
9. Live alone by yourself, away from your family at least for a while and you’ll understand what they mean when they say life is the greatest teacher.
10. Do not ever try to pour from an empty cup. It never works. Be like the passenger onboard a turbulent flight. Help yourself before helping others.
11. Don’t date people who are scared of your P.O.W.E.R.
12. Grey’s Anatomy re-runs are the best pick-me-ups.
13. Listen to a lot of Taylor Swift when sad. It’s free therapy.
14. Good health in your 20s will surely help you in the long run.
15. Dye your hair all shades of the rainbow if that’s what your heart wants.
16. Hug your Mom randomly while she’s busy doing something.
17. Smash the hell out of your goals. Whatever they are and wherever they take you. Leap into it, take the plunge and feel the adrenaline soar through your veins.
18. Do THAT crazy thing on your list before you are too old. And even if you are too old, still GO DO IT.
19. Keep those people close who feel like sunshine.
20. Travel. That’s it. Just travel. Whenever you can, however you can.
21. You’re amazing just the way you are.
22. Keep writing these lists on every birthday.

Thanks for reading!