To a 24 year old

If you are 24 or know someone who is- please pass this on- Might be a little boastfull- but yes, I think it's that important.

The backstory is that I, along with my friend Rachel, went out to a local bar tonight to watch football and drink beer (apparently, we grow testicles in our spare time). A guy sat down beside me and struck a very appropriate, non-sexual type of conversation. He had probably had too much to drink but never did I feel that he was hitting on me. He even gave me the 411 about his girlfriend; the pretty size 6 blonde with the tall black boots and short skirt. She was 24 (he was 29) and unhappy with him at the moment for something he had said earlier. All of sudden, she slips up behind us and appears to be even more furious that he has struck a conversation with a 30 something, saggy boobed, root-showing, wife and mother of two. She was upset that he was talking to ME. My once positive first impression based solely on the fact that she was attractive qucikly changed- and suddenly she wasn't so pretty anymore. She was acting like a brat and feeding off the self-inflicted drama. I was baffled and felt the urge to drag her to the nearest corner and yell at her like a red-headed stepchild. Look at you! LOOK AT ME!! Grow Up, I would say... What the hell is wrong with you??????

The more I thought about it- the more I realized that what I would say to her, right there in that bar, wouldn't be much different than what I would say to a 24 year old friend, or even better- to my 24 year old former self. 24 is such a crossroads age- it's a mixed up, complicated rabbit hole between "I'm so cool" and "I have no idea who I am".  I was there once- I wish someone had told me....

• In 3 years, you will not even remember the dress (that you spent a car payment to have) you wore to that party.
• Sex will not make someone fall in love with you. 9 times out of 10, doing it too soon will result in the complete opposite.
• Make him treat you like the gift that you are.
• Beer makes you fat.
• Reality TV makes you stupid
• Envy drives you crazy.
• VOTE. But arm yourself with knowledge before you just go and vote for the popular one who smiles nice.
• Fighting or trying to start a fight- makes you a bonified classless redneck.
• Write down your feelings- destory it afterwards if you want- but write them down.
• Go on trips with your girlfriends and have the time of your life.
• If you know you really don't have a handle on it- ditch your credit cards.
• Find a cause you believe in with all your heart and vow to somehow make a difference in it.
• You never know what other people are going through and why there are the way they are. Try not to be too judgemental self-consuming.
• Never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever put a phone in your hand when you have been drinking. Even if he agrees to meet with you it's because he is horny and feels sorry for you.
• Take lots and lots of pictures. One day you will look back and wonder why your legs don't look that anymore.
• Even if you find the love of your life at this age- wait 5 years before you marry him.
• Most of the things you want in this life are waiting for you right outside your comfort zone.
• Drive a paid off crappy car for as long as you can. It saves you money and gives you character.
• He thinks your body is beautiful.
• Don't smoke- It's so incredibly unattractive and expensive. And it makes you stink- yes, even after you put it out. Oh and IT WILL KILL YOU. Don't date someone who smokes either.
• Explore, learn and respect other cultures.
• Surround yourself with positive people who lift you up- rid yourself of toxic relationships.
• Save your money- no one will care if you wear the same boots as you did last year.
• Be mysterious.
• Learn the art of empathy
• Older people really are smarter than you- listen to them.
• Two words: BIRTH CONTROL!
• Be safe: be aware of your surroundings and always let someone know where you're going.
• Be confident and even when you're not- ACT confident.
• Spend more time with your family- before you know it, many of them will be gone.
• Floss your teeth.
• Whatever it is- it is not the end of the world.
• Learn to enjoy salads- after 30, that's all you're allowed to eat.
• Buy good bras. In 10 years, your husband, back and TaTa's will thank you.
• Try to stay out of the sun- and don't you dare step into a tanning booth.
• You are stronger than you ever thought possible.
• You will kiss alot of frogs before you find your prince.
• You will find your prince.