Last month I turned 23. What is it about this age that makes me cringe? Am I the only one? The thought of telling people that I am 23 somehow places this pressure of knowing my direction in life and it kind of stresses me out.

I blame social media for a lot of things, but I definitely think that it has jeopardized society's view of what life SHOULD look like, especially at certain ages. We see so many people living their seemingly perfect, well-dressed, put-together lives poolside at 28 and feel as if we are failing. We should have impressive college degrees (with seemingly no college debt) by 23, be traveling all over Europe by 25, have established businesses by 26, and married and on our way to kids by 30. It's this insane pressure to "keep up" and it's suffocating.

We (preaching to the choir here!) need to wake up and realize that these people probably don't have it together! I am certain that there are rejections and emotional turmoil that go on behind-the-scenes. There are likely struggles that we don't see, but I am certain are there. The reality is, no one has it together. Even Kate Middleton probably has her issues and she's married to a freaking prince.

Waiting for the day that I finally have it all together has held me back from putting myself out there.

Not having it together is probably more than OKAY, friends -- it's normal. We need to cut ourselves some slack. The necessity to have it together all the time is so unrealistic and crippling. Let's just try to take a chill and focus on life now and the insane, messy, unorganized, beautiful, spontaneous, adventurous, and passionate thing that it is, because having it together is overrated.

Below I wanted to share a few more of the things that I have learned in my 23 years as a human being. I hope that you can relate to some of these life lessons. They're things that I wish I would have realized a lot sooner, but I'm glad I've learned now and I hope I never ever forget.

Have a great weekend, friends!

23 Things i've learned about life

1. You don't have to have it together.

2. How many friends you have is far less important than the quality and depth of your friendships.

3. Stand up for what you believe in.

4. Be kind to everyone you meet because they matter. End of story.

5. The cabbage soup diet is unhealthy and totally not worth the emotional turmoil it causes.

6. Don't be afraid to try new things. I have had multiple experiences where I definitely did not want to branch outside of my comfort zone, but the results of doing so were great!

7. Meeting people is awkward. It's not just you.

8. Target and coffee cure all.

9. I am my own worst enemy/critic.

10. It's easier (and so much better!) to just be me than to try to be someone else.

11. Comparison is the thief of joy.

12. Love with no strings attached.

13. You will never make everyone happy.

14. There is no arrival in life. It's a journey, embrace it.

15. Working hard pays off.

16. Don't limit your dreams to practicality. I went to school to be a nurse, a very practical job, but am finding myself feeling fulfilled living this creative entrepreneur (and sometimes seemingly impractical) life. Do what makes you happy.

17. Don't judge others too harshly. They're struggling right there with you.

18. Go against the grain.

19. Fake it 'til you make it.

20. Always be willing to teach.

21. Traveling is worth every dime.

22. Wear whatever the heck you want.

23. Never settle.