OK SO BEFORE I START! I want quickly state that although I am 20 years old; I, in no way shape or form, think I have become a full-time adult HOWEVER I do pay taxes and own a credit card so I like to think I’m doing pretty well. Also, before I start I want to say that what I am talking about is just some things I do as an “adult” that have really helped me in the past couple months. Another thing, I feel like once you turn 20 you’re officially supposed to be like on your own and so I like to pretend that my room is my apartment therefore I do things very specifically so i can then be ready when I live on my own (which hopefully will be like in the next 2 years) but these things are just things I find to be really awesome. Some of these things I’ve been doing for the past year or so and some are just things I started to do in the new year.

1. Get organized-

This sounds so dumb and I know you hate hearing it but believe me it helps so much. I practically LIVE out of my planner and phone calendar. I’m one of those people who forgets everything the second I’m told can’t forget something so writing it down and maybe highlighting it a good 300 times really helps it stick in my head. Now personal life and school life is really great get organized but if you want to go to the next level then I suggest you keep on reading so I can tell you how to get there.(wink, wink) I recently moved a desk into my room so id have space to write and study and keep things (organized duh) and this has helped me a bunch. Target sells super cute stuff to help you get organized and so does the dollar store believe it or not. I use my bulletin board and  also have a calendar on that so if I’m working and don’t want to grab my planner then all i have to do it look on the calendar on my desk. Organize it with cute folders, candles and encouraging quotes or bible verses to keep you motivated. Keep your private life, work and school all in separate folders so you know exactly where to look when you need to grab something.

2. Keep your room clean-

Ok, ok…ok.. confession time, I use to be the WORST at keeping my room clean.. I’m talking BAD. But I started to realize that when my room was a mess Id start to get really overwhelmed and sometimes even found myself not wanting to even hang out in my room. My room has always been one of my favorite places. I really enjoy just hanging out in my room and so it’s really important that I continue to keep it clean. I will admit, I live a busy life but nothings worse than coming home to room that’s a disaster. Now, I try to clean it up every night before I go to bed. I’ve made it a routine and its really sticking. Don’t get me wrong ill have a couple of days where I start to get lazy but I can feel when it gets bad and I know I need to do something about it. Also, if you are over the age of 18 and still not doing your own laundry or folding your clothes and think you can live away from home YOU’RE GONNA BE REALLY SAD WHY YOU REALIZE LAUNDRY IS WAY HARDER THAN YOU THOUGHT. Keep up with your laundry, do a little bit every week. I got my cute mesh laundry basket from the dollar store and its the perfect little load size to do once a week.

3. Budget your money-

Another thing I use to be really bad at. I was queen of getting a pay check and then suddenly feeling the need to update my entire closet. NO. Don’t do it. Budgeting your money helps you feel like you’re in control and if you do it right you will always find a couple bucks to splurge with, (ps, splurging is way better when you’ve saved up for something you’ve wanted and then you finally get it. You deserve it!) I make my own budget and my system isn’t like other people. I get payed in cash most the time because I babysit every now and again so I put what ever payments I need to make on my debit card and then the rest I take out of my “at home bank account” this helps me realize how much money I’m speeding and seeing it in cash really helps you be more diligent about it.

4. Drink more water, get on the healthy train-

I’ve always been an athlete so I know how important this is but when you go to college and you have a million things to do sometimes skipping the gym and eating leftover pizza or drinking coffee instead of water is your only option. I can tell you right now IT WILL CATCH UP TO YOU. Try and remember these things. Park a little farther away from campus. Take the stairs and don’t be afraid to use your new budget to budget in a gym membership (see my last blog post for more info on that!) Drinking water is a HUGE thing for me. I struggle with migraine and so drinking water is a huge must for me. I try to fill up my water bottle at least 5 times a day. This will help your skin, hair, sleep and even affect the way you eat.

5. Take care of your skin

Ladies of Miami LISTEN UP. I know we all loveeee out tanning oil and boy did I but we have to protect our skin. This goes right back to drinking water. Keep it hydrated and the you know you’ll be at the beach, in the pool or  even just hanging out in the sun for a while done be afraid to find a sunscreen that works for you. If you’re more of a makeup gal, invest in foundations that have sunscreen in them. Find a skin routine that works for you and stick with it. I’ve always loved Shea Moisture. It’s a drugstore brand and the african black soap has helped keep my skin super clean. I then finish off with witch hazel and coconut oil. My skin has transformed!!

6. Find a hobby-

K, adulting can be hard and sometimes we need a time to relax and do something we love. I’ve always enjoyed nature and plants but over christmas I explored the world of succulents and i can’t stop taking about them. Nurturing plants to then grow to produce flowers or fruit is so incredibly fulfilling. James enjoys his orange trees! We have watched them grow and now they produce crazy amounts of fruit. I also enjoy photography which ties in perfectly because now I can take pictures of plants AND THEN BLOG ABOUT THEM BECAUSE THAT IS A HOBBY ASWELL! Ministering to yourself and doing things that bring you joy are really, really important. Perhaps its gardening or maybe its video games but whatever it is I hope you find some sort of relaxation from that.

7. Find good friends –

This one is hard only because when you grow up, life changes and so do you. Finding friends who have the same interest, beliefs and passions as you when you’re an adult is hard especially when your old friends no longer have those interests. Luckily, the friends I grew up with all have similar values as I do in life. I’m not saying drop your old friends if they don’t like the exact same things as you. I’m just saying, its better to have a group of friends who are supporting your dreams and encouraging you even at your all time low.

9. Dont procrastinate

Guys this one is easy. Wether its paying your bills, cleaning your room or simply getting back to someone who needed you earlier procrastination is not something you wanna be a part of! School work is assigned far in advance and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be doing a little bit at a time. Set alarms and write on your planner for things that are due a day in advance that way you stay on your toes. Whatever you do, don’t wait till the last minuet! It’ll only make your stressed out and overwhelmed!!

8. Be constant in Gods word-

Ahhhh yes, I am going to end with the most important one of all. Being constant in Gods word is so important and will help you so much. I make time every morning to do one of three things: have a formal devotional (read scripture, write and be in deep prayer), listen to worship music or a podcast while thanking God and praying (usually I do this while driving to school. I enjoy listening to both in my car and it helps me get through traffic) or opening my bible app and reflecting off the verse of the day. Whatever it is I really try to pray about it through my day and it helps a bunch. Another way to d this is get connected in a church and find community group. Getting connected to a bible study makes studying the bible way easier and fun!

I hope you found these helpful. They’ve helped me a bunch and I hope to keep them going!! its hard to be an adult out in this big world but with my tips and God by your side I promise you’ll be fine. You got this!!

XX- Liv