Twenty One Things I learned before I turned 21

1. My family is so important to me

Growing up, I spent a crazy amount of time with my family. Our time together was always a top priority because my parents made it one. Between going to school and going abroad, I spent time more time away from them than I was used to. Now I make it a priority to have my time with them. I am so lucky to have the family that I do. Our dynamic is crazy, but I wouldn’t change it.

My sister has become my best friend, we spend hours on end laughing and listening to music together. My mom and I talk about Grey’s Anatomy and the latest trends. While my dad & I talk about anything and everything, he’s always bringing some sort of life advice into the conversation.

But its not just these three who mean so much to me, spending more time with my grandparents, and the rest of my extended family has become so much more important to me. Since quarantine started we spend way more time together than we’re used to, but we’ve made the most of it. And I wouldn’t change this group for anything.

2. Life is way too short to spend on people who don’t bring good to your life.

I just had this conversations with one of my best friends the other day, I feel like we’re at the age when we’re learning who matters most to us, and who we matter to. If someone doesn’t make you feel loved and good about yourself, what’s the point of having them in your life. I always say I would rather have quality friends than a higher quantity of them.

3. I can’t take myself or life too seriously.

Being able to make fun of myself with anything has become a personality trait for me. I’ve realized if I make light of myself or a situation, it becomes so much easier to handle or simply irrelevant to me. Helps me overthink situations just a little less.

4. Never do something you don’t want to, because you feel like you have to.

Taking on a position in my sorority, having an internship, as well making time for family, friends, and school this past semester proved to be quite the challenge. Learning how to balance my time and putting effort into things that I genuinely enjoyed and brought me some sort of happiness or fulfillment was so rewarding to me.

I’m the type of person who would say yes to anything people asked me to do because I felt like I had to, or that I was a bad friend or person if I said no. Committing to things that would help me get the most out of the situation I was in, was not always my first instinct but now that it is I don’t think I could be any other way.

5. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

One of the best things one of my friends instilled in me was, “If it’s not going to matter in five years, then don’t spend more than five minutes worrying about it.” With friends, family, relationships, school, or simply anything. What seems like a crisis now will probably be forgotten sooner than later

6. Push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Going abroad was easily one one of the scariest things I have ever done, but it also turned into one of the best things I could have done for myself. Trying new foods, exploring new places, and living in a new place was incredibly terrifying at first. Looking back, thank God I did it. It came at a point in my life when I needed clarity and it brought so many good things and people into my life. It taught me so much about taking risks and seeing what pays off.

7. Music truly makes me feel better in almost any situation

I am the queen of turning on music based on my mood. I am constantly blasting music at all hours of the day, my family & roommates don’t exactly love it. But, turning on Taylor Swift in any given situation has become an instant mood booster. I’d say it’s a personality trait at this point.

8. Take pictures, of everything

Lately I’ve been taking more time and looking at pictures from my time abroad, or from the past 3 years of college, or with my family. The power a picture has to bring you back to exactly how you felt in that moment is amazing. I love being able to look back on everything.

9. I needed to stop telling myself “if I get or do this, I’ll be happy”

like it’s an object, continuous and unchanging. Happiness comes in and out, a feeling that you can look for in tender moments shared or anything that gives hope in a time of uncertainty. Happiness can be created based on your outlook in life, but remember — it’s a fleeting feeling.

10. Do things for you

Taking the time to unwind and focus on my well being, and doing things I need to be happy was something that was completely foreign to me until this past year. Finding the time to watch my favorite shows, listen to a podcast, or whatever else has been so good for me, highly recommend.

11. Keep your promises

My dad always says one thing Mazzurco’s do is keep our promises, I’ve lived by that my entire life. If you say you’re going to do something, just do it.

12. Don’t rely on a rely on a relationship to feel complete

Make yourself happy. Learning this was one of the best things the past year brought me. You are the only person in this world who cares about yourself the most. You’re too full of love to be half loved. Being single is never a bad thing, so don’t spend all of your time searching for the next person to complete you.

13. Not everyone is going to like you

I used to be convinced I had to do things to make everyone happy. I thought I had to be friends with everyone, do things to make sure they would like me. Now I know, the important ones will not not only just like you, but they will love you.

14. Not everyone has the same heart as you

At once I might have disagreed with this statement, especially considering I choose to see the good in everyone. I believe in second chances, and people can change, but eventually I recognized it would be naive to think everyone cares about you as much as you care about them.

15. Every day has something good in it

There have been plenty of days, especially lately, that feel like everything is going wrong and the world isn’t on your side. But being able to look back and find what good or what made me happy that day has been beneficial overall.

16. A long drive can fix just about anything

More often than not, when I’ve had a long or sad day I have gone for a drive. Windows down blasting my favorite songs just giving myself time to work through whatever I’m feeling. Lately that’s been blasting “All Too Well” not even because I’m sad, but just because the feeling of belting out any song is the best feeling.

17. Yes, you need to go shopping

I can easily say I have a shopping addiction, I am always on the hunt for something I probably don’t need but just have to have. A new outfit, pair of shoes, or even just a new pair of sunglasses can boost my mood any day. Investing the time and money in yourself is bound to keep you motivated

18. Traveling is one of the best things you can do for yourself

Taking the time to see the world outside of my hometown or the little college town where I have spent most of my time the past 3 years change my entire perspective on life. I have all these amazing memories and stories to tell, and something to work towards being able to do again. The first thing I want to do when I’m able to is go back to Europe, and try to relive just a fraction of the four months I spent there. I also can’t wait to get to a beach again, my family trips to Maui, Hawaii are some of my best memories.

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19. A glass of champagne and dessert is always a good idea

I always skip right to dessert. A macaron is my weakness and any type of white cake with vanilla frosting. No matter what I’ll always say yes to that and a glass of champagne. It always puts me in a good mood, regardless the time of day.

20. Tell the people you love that you love them more than you think you need to

One thing I’ve been working on a lot in the past year is telling people how much I love and appreciate them. I would be nowhere, and I mean nowhere without the people in my life. Being able to give them a little bit in return by letting them know how much they mean to me is such a priority to me. You never know when the last time you’ll get to do that will be.

21. A good group of girl friends can get you through just about anything

My friends are my lifeline. The past year started off rather rough for me and I would not be anywhere without them. They make me laugh in the worst of times, get me through stressful situations, and make me feel better after any and all boy drama. Point is, without them life would be a hell of a lot harder.

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