21 Things I’ve Learned in My 21 Years

Welcome back for a special birthday post 🙂

I wrote this after reading a post by Abbie and I’ve also seen a lot of these kind of posts on various other blogs. So, I thought seeing as I’m turning 21 today I should add my thoughts to the mix!

When I actually sat down to write this post, I realised 21 is a lot of things to come up with, so a few of them are short but sweet.

I genuinely believe this. I am always more productive when I have more things to get done, as I set myself tighter deadlines. While stress can get out of control if not handled well, some pressure can help to get tasks done.

I have very acne-prone skin, and so I have to accept that some mornings when I wake up my skin will have break-outs worse than others. I’m starting to accept that everyday is a real skincare battle for me.

It can be hard to disagree with people when it seems like you have an unpopular opinion, but this is slowly something I’m starting to realise. It’s okay to disagree with people as long as it’s well-informed and not just for the sake of it.

Family is so important. And this isn’t just people you’re related to or that you live with. It could be housemates, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, or extended family. Anyone who has an important impact on your life, or makes you feel happy, or supports you.

It’s only since the pandemic started that I’ve started working out, and exercise can be a real mood boost. I know this isn’t new information, but for me I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

Even when you love someone to bits, sometimes you need time by yourself. And sometimes you want to be surrounded by people. It’s okay to appreciate both states of mind, so don’t be afraid to tell the people you love that you fancy some time alone.

As someone with constant break-outs, it can be annoying when it seems that everyone has perfectly clear skin. So I think it’s important that I’ve learned that people filter their photos.

On a physical and mental level, cheese makes everything better. I love adding cheese to most meals I eat, and it definitely improves everything!

This basically means that when I look at bright lights or I’m sat in the sun, I often have the instinct to sneeze. This isn’t a big deal or anything- it just means I’m likely sneeze when I’m sat next to a very sunny window, for example.

I’ve spent the past few years at University, and so I’ve been cooking more meals for myself. And I can cook well, as long as the recipes are easy. I love making spaghetti bolognaise, chilli, fajitas, roasted veggies and rice… And I enjoy it. But I’ve definitely learned that easy recipes are my favourite.

I love singing, and I annoy everyone by constantly singing along to lyrics- especially seeing as I’m not particularly good, and I rarely know all the lyrics. But I genuinely think that singing can be good for you, and I’ve found it’s a good way to let out some emotion during lockdown.

Maybe this isn’t something that I’ve learned- but it’s definitely something I’d like to believe!

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Author: Not-So-Modern Girl

I’m Eleanor, welcome to my little corner of the internet! I’m a freelance content writer and book lover from Yorkshire. On my blog, I write about life as a 20-something, including posts about freelance life, blogging, book reviews and more. I also write resources for bloggers and writers on my Gumroad account, including my ebook 'The Art of Blog Writing'.

76 thoughts

  6. Loved reading this post and the life lessons you have learned. sun doesn’t make me sneeze but the supermarket aisles with heavily scented cleaning products does, and these days this scares people nearby so I find myself explaining to strangers that I’m not ill.
    I can’t remember song lyrics so I make up my own and sing off key! Keep singing – good for the soul.
    And Happy 21st!

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  7. Happy Birthday! I agree with you, Gilmore Girls is the best show ever. No matter how many times I watch it, it never gets old and always makes me happy. Peppermint tea is the best! ! 🍵💚

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  9. Happy Birthday! Amazing wisdom at 21 – I mean just look at #1!

    Chamomile is my go-to tea when I need to unwind. Will need to try peppermint!

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  15. Awesome list! I’m a bit late on my birthday, but I think these are so fun and want to do one myself.
    I agree that Gilmore Girls is the best! It’s fun to see everything that you’ve learned.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  19. What an excellent list (mostly!) – I still prefer a good coffee to peppermint tea.

    And now that you’ve discovered that “Not everything in life is black and white” you could definitely work in the tax industry!

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  24. Happy belated birthday! These are great life lessons. Weirdly today is my birthday and I have written the same post as you, although 37 lessons! Oh man! How did I get this old.

    Thank you for sharing, I hope you had a lovely birthday x

    Liked by 1 person

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  26. I love these. To be honest, I’ve only ever watched a couple of episodes of Gilmore Girls… :/ but I have heard wonderful things! 100% agree everyday sexism is a real thing!
    Thank you for sharing this awesome list!

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  28. Happy Birthday! And I totally relate to a lot on this list, you’ve included a lot of good things (cheese DOES fix everything!!!) and learning how to make time for yourself and how everyday sexism is real is so important.

    Liked by 1 person

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  30. Hi I just came across this post!

    I really enjoyed reading this, and as someone who is 22 atm and has just finished a university degree, I could relate to a lot of this! In particular, I could relate to

    3 – Prioritise mental health. I am someone that struggled with mental health and anxiety at university and I had to learn this the hard way. Now I am actively trying to not neglect my mental health and I am happier for it

    4 – It’s ok to disagree with people. Sometimes I will have conversations with friends and there will be things that come up I don’t agree with. Instead of keeping that to myself I say that I don’t agree and why in a polite way. And friends have also disagreed with me sometimes, but being more honest and open in this sense has only helped my friendships

    11/12 – Social media can be great but also bad. Recently I have tried to use social media in a more positive way, so that I would benefit from the great things that social media has to offer! Having said that, I try to avoid the toxic parts of social media e.g. fake news. Because I have used social media postively, I have found social media to help me!

    Thanks for sharing and I look forward to reading more blogs from you!

    Feel free to read some of my blogs as well, I have written blogs on some of the topics you touched upon in this article!!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment, I completely agree with your thoughts and I think it’s so important to use anything in your life for good- whether that means using social media or not 🙂

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  35. I love this post! Love gilmore girls, I think I might have that look into the sun and sneeze thing – tho it might just be hayfever? also, omg yes I literally cannot do my hair 🤣

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