1. Always……Always put yourself first. It’s ok to be selfish.
2. It’s ok to go out during the week as long as you have your priority’s straight and get to work on time the next day.
3. On that note, it’s ok to say no to going out. Friends will always send that invite for drinks or dancing but they have to understand that you have other responsibilities. You are focused on building your career and being successful. As a friend be understanding and supportive of those life decisions.
4. Be professional and build your career. By now you should have your plans in place so you can have the lifestyle you want later in life.
5. Write down your goals and accomplish them! If you don’t have them written down will they truly ever happen? First step write it down, second step make it happen! Make a promise to yourself to be a better YOU! Work towards a goal or create a buck list and check off everything you have ever wanted to do!
6. Go running, walking, hiking, any kind of exercise! That pizza and beer will creep up on you, trust me!
7. Learn to eat right and make healthy decisions. Now is the time to change eating habits for a better you!
8. Don’t be afraid to eat alone! Go have a meal alone at a restaurant, it’s not as bad as it sounds. Enjoy your own company. When you can appreciate that time alone that is when you really start to love yourself. Be independent!
9. Travel, explore! Plan a trip and make it happen! If you can’t go far because of budget look up places in your own backyard! San Antonio is one of the most central places to access so many parks, rivers, lakes, and wildlife! See the beautiful landscapes and places the world has to offer!
10. Go on a solo trip in or out of the United States! You will be forever rewarded! Experiences are priceless memories.
11. It’s ok to drink a bottle or two of wine alone at home by yourself and watch a good crying movie like a Nicholas Sparks movie. Sometimes you need a good cry and let it all out!
12. Go to concerts, go to happy hours, go to events and meet new people. Life is full of people who you are destined to meet.
13. It’s ok to spurge on a mani, pedi or  getting your hair done. You are hard working woman and deserved to feel beautiful and pampered.
14. Who cares if you go out every weekend? Do your thing, have fun and live life because in the end you are responsible for your happiness. People expect you to just sit at home and be alone, NO! go and have fun, it’s your life!
15. Your best friends from high school will not be your life long best friends and it’s ok. Every season and every chapter in your life is different. I only have a hand full of childhood friends that I can still depend on but I have made so many other close friends on my journey and its ok. Each person I have met, I have met them for a reason and they have helped me write my story.
16. On that note, make sure to make time for your best friends. Life gets hectic and busy but always try to make time to catch up, and keep those bonds close!
17. Get rid of toxic relationships and surround yourself with people who support you and your life’s decisions. Make sure you have a group of close friends that you can confide in and get support from.
18. Tomorrow is never promised! So live life in the now!
19. Don’t take things for granted, practice gratitude every day.
20. Be positive everyday. Once you learn to live in a positive light all the negative and darkness will be pushed away to bring good things into your life.
21. It’s ok to be single with no kids at 29. Times have changed, don’t be pressured to be in the wrong relationship or to follow a certain life plan that you simply aren’t ready for. Trust me the waiting is hard but it’s well worth it! Stick to it and be happy.
22. Life throws you curve balls. It changes by the minute and bad things happen, but trust me it doesn’t last forever, there is always a pot of happiness at the end of the rainbow.
23. Be prepared to give up plans for the future. Like I said life changes by the minute and sometimes you cannot control it. You have to be prepared to give up some dreams and move on, but in the end you will realize that better plans were in the works for you!
24. Karma is real! Smile,Be kind always, show respect, be honest and don’t cheat or lie!
25. Volunteer as often as you can, it’s a great opportunity to help others, and you can make a difference in someone’s life!
26. Understand your self-worth and your confidence will show!
27. Always respect others and their life choices even if you aren’t in the same stage as them. Don’t judge because one day you might find yourself in the same boat as them.
28. Know when to let go and let live! Not all relationships are going to last, know when to let go and move on. It might take time and many……many tears and heart breaks but they are well worth the lessons learned.
29. Lastly be prepared to walk this journey alone. I have walked much of my life alone and it has only made me a much stronger, braver and more independent person. I have lost a lot close friends and loved ones through broken relationships or death. I lost my mom at age 20 and was not prepared. How can you be at that age 20? I am 29 and still need my Mom, she was both mom and dad. I have had to learn to live without her and become the woman she wanted me to be, I cannot let her down. Life has its moments and I have been through the worse of them at this young age, it certainly isn’t fair, but I have learned that you have to walk through the many storms in order to be blessed with sunny days.

These are just a couple lessoned learn as of now going through my twenties, I could add so many more, but I am sure as my story goes on, there will be many more lessons learned as time goes on.

XOXO,

Lyssa