9 Things I learned before I turned 20

I've recently turned 20 and I feel like that this a huge mile stone that should be shared with the world! I've learned so many lessons up to this point in my life and I would like to share them with you! I have so much more to learn, but I would like to consider myself pretty wise for my age and what I have learned could help others who could be going through the same thing as me! So here I go!

1. Time is on your side

By this I mean that you have all the time in world to be who you want to be. There is NO RUSH to do anything you don't want to do. Take your time with your own life. You are not in competition with anyone in this world, but yourself. The past is in the past, the present is now, and the future doesn't exist! Continue to do great in the present and the now and your "future" will always be bright.

2.People Change

Who am I today was not who I was 5 years ago and who I was 5 years ago will not be the person I will be in 10 years from now. I have changed in the last couple years and I will continue to change for the rest of my life. Sometimes I don't like change, but the cool thing about change is that it can happen in a instant and it happens all the damn time. Don't be so hard on yourself all the time because change is so good! Change means that you are growing and becoming better than who you were yesterday and that's amazing! Also, just as you change the people around you change and this could mean you either out grow people or they grow with you, whatever the case may be you will be fine regardless of who is by your side. Change is good people! Embrace it with open arms!

3. Not Everyone is going to like me

I've had my fair share of broken friendships in my past. Some of them where my own fault. I was stubborn and selfish and I ended relationships prematurely, but that was then and this is now and friends will come and go and people won't like me. Their reasons don't matter as to why they don't like me. I have no control of what others think of me. I only have control over how I treat others. Only you know your true intentions, so be smart with how you treat people. So what? If some people don't like you. The people who truly love you will flock to like bees to honey. The only acceptance you need in this world is not from others, but from yourself!

4. Follow your damn dreams!

There are too many people in this world who are miserable because they are unsatisfied with their lives. They listened to the nay sayers and they chose "practical" jobs that make them feel "normal" and "safe". What is "Normal and Safe" anyway? You have hopes and dreams for a reason! Whatever your calling may be pursue it with all you've got and never look back! We are all different and can all contribute to the world in our own special way to make where we all live a better place. I was terrified when I decided to become a fashion blogger and later Youtuber, because my self doubt out weighted my desire to become the women that I know I can be. I have a talent that no one in the world can copy and take away from me. You have to believe in yourself first! I abandoned all self doubt and I have grown into a person I didn't even know existed! Yes, it's scary to follow the path less travelled because there is a lot of uncertainty, but forget that for a second and think about the life time of happiness that you've created for not only yourself, but for all the other dreamer just like you!

5. Stay close to family

Family is all. It's that simple. Family does not limit to immediate family only. Anyone that you consider trust worthy and close to your heart would be under the family title. I know for me personally that my immediate family is the BOMB!!! I love my mother and sister so much. They have been with me since the beginning (literally). I owe so much of my success to them both. I could never exclude my father. He's one of my best friends! I am such a family oriented person that I can't see my life being any better without them in my life. My family loves me unconditionally and truly supports me in everything that I do. Even when I make bad decisions, they make me aware of where I went wrong and love me anyway. I know for sure that I would not be as far as I am with Inbetweenlooks without the hard work of my mother and sister. They take all the photos that you see before you! They believe in my vision and their love and support means the world to me. I love you mommy and Brandi!!

6. Spending time alone is GOOD

I have always been an introvert. I am home body and I wouldn't want it any other way! I love my alone time where I can feel my very best in my own environment! I do have the FOMO sometimes when I see others "having a great time", but then I realize that I am in my own lane and my time will come. I was never a heavy partier, so going out was never my thing. I just want to be apart of group, doesn't everyone? But there is beauty in being alone. When you give yourself the opportunity to get to know yourself without any outside interference you really start shine. You will start to realize that you don't need the approval of anyone to do anything because you have learned to become content with yourself and no one else.

7. Quality over quantity

I think that the best investment you could ever make is in yourself. I think that giving yourself the benefit of the doubt by believing in all that you are is very important! Invest in quality things that will make you feel better. Like getting your nails done,buying a pair of shoes, or treating yourself to a nice dinner. I know that things can get expensive and that life is full of surprises and you always want to be prepared, but if you treat yourself to something nice once in awhile your life will change. I used to be scared to spend my own money. I would never know what to spend my money on, so I would never buy anything and thats not fun at all! I had to do some soul searching and see what I truly liked and after I figured that out I was able see what I liked spending my money on. I love fashion,makeup, and shoes ,so it was a no brainer for me to spend my money in these three areas! I think that buying things at quality stores is a much better option then wasting your money on something you won't like later because it was cheaper. It's more likely that the product you spend the more money on will last longer than a cheaper item. If you aren't comfortable blowing your money ( "I mean, who is?") then save for what you want and don't be sorry about it! Once you're surrounded by all the nice things that you've picked up along your journey through life you'll be so happy about it!

8. Don't let the world make you bitter

The world is a very sad and confusing place when you really think about it. And when I look at all the devastating things that are happening in the world around me it's very easy for me to become angry and full of hate. But my hate isn't going to change the situation, if anything hate makes things worse. As a human race I think we all suffer from miscommunication. There are too many of us that don't take the time out to listen to others and what they have to say. Its like we are all in a room talking amongst all that noise who's really listening? Hate will never win if we all decide to put love in the for front of our minds. Think before you speak badly of others and really try and see what life would be like in their shoes. Your light will only shine brighter if you let love in and release all your hate and ridicule. We are all the same at the end of the day. We are all made of skin and bone, we all cry, and feel. We should let our differences bring us together not tare us apart.

9. Be your own happiness

The best thing I've ever done in the past 20 years would be taking a chance on myself! I am becoming the root to my own happiness and this feeling could only be described as amazing! I have always been the type to please others before myself. I would only think about how I affect others and never the other way around. Firstly, this was a miserable way to live. I can't tell you how many amazing opportunities I have missed out on because I wasn't being selfish enough! Those days are over! I will never let anyone or anything come inbetween my happiness anymore! I am loving the person that I am becoming. Imma cool girl who isn't afraid to laugh at herself! Its honestly okay to show yourself some love! It isn't a crime to love all that you are! I am proud to say that I am on a self love journey and it's only only up from here!

Thank you so much for reading! Until next time!

Disclaimer: All the photos have been taken by me and any products that i have shown I am not seeking profit from.

#inspiration #happiness #ashlee #wynn #10thingsilearned #20yearsold