Figuring Life Out

I was reading a forum on 20 Something Bloggers (a social network for 20 something bloggers) and a young 20 something (20 to be exact) said that she was scared of growing up. Growing up... This is what my blog is all about. How to deal with growing up, learning independence, and not failing at this.
Almost everyone is afraid of the future. I know I am. It is a very sad and scary thought, but at any moment you may loose your job because you company may fold, someone close to you may pass away, your apartment/house may burn down. I won't go into any more detail, but it is a reality that things can go wrong fast. And dealing with any of these things on your own is an even scarier thought.
In order to deal with the possibility (and hopefully not the reality) of these things it is important to do things to make you feel more comfortable with the present and future. These things can include staying happy, having a place to go when you want to be alone, and preparing for the future.

Staying happy

• Friends! Everyone needs a good group of friends that they feel comfortable around that can cheer them up. Unfortunately, friends move, and so do you. But luckily, it is possible to meet new people: through work, through friends, through personal ads (craigslist has strictly platonic ads). So if you ever feel lonely in a new city, definitely check out some of these outlets for new people. 
• Therapy and meds: If you ever feel as though you are too unhappy, you may have a chemical imbalance of some sort... it may not be your fault! There is nothing wrong with this, and you will feel better once you get help. But professional help can be expensive. May I suggest B12 supplements. I currently take these, and I love them! Vitamins are water soluble, and what isn't necessary just passes on through. B12 makes me not stress the small things and the things I can't control. 

Have you own place:

• Sometimes this isn't always possible, especially if you have a roommate, or if you live in an apartment that you can't customize. If you have a roommate, make this place your bedroom. Invest in a very comfortable mattress or mattress pad and a really nice bedspread. Decorate your room with things that make you happy and relaxed. Go here if you ever feel like being alone, and just breath for a little while. As far as apartment living, many apartments let you decorate as you wish. If you paint the walls, you may have to put a layer of primer over dark colors, and for heavy wall hangings, you may have to hang at a stud. Ask your apartment leasing office what their policy is on decorating. If you ever realize that when you come home, you don't feel at home, paint your favorite color and hang up your favorite posters, invest in decorations because this is where you spend most of your time. 
• As I type this, this happened to me, as I hear the person who lives above me open and close his door and walk from the stone tile, to the carpeting, it makes me realize that this living arrangement is only temporary. If this happens to you, invest in a white noise machine. It makes a humming noise that somehow blocks out background noise. 

Prepare for the future

• Save! You never know when you income may stop coming in. Set up a savings account and put aside a certain percentage of your paycheck. Most people live paycheck to paycheck. It is wise to have at least two months of living expenses saved up. But don't worry about it if you don't. There is always unemployment, but this isn't very much.
• Insurance: Don't just get the bare minimum on insurance. Get as much as you can afford. I have Nationwide, and can tell you that it is great. Each insurance company has its own perks, so you need to do your research and figure out what you want. I have full car insurance at $86 a month (I have 3 tickets, one at 16, two at 21. The first two were thrown out and the last I used a PJC, I also have no accidents). I also have renters insurance at $8 a month (I have an 838 sq ft apartment). But if something were to happen, having all of this insurance helps me out a lot.
• Fireproof box: If a fire starts in your apartment or house, you will very likely loose many very important documents, including renters insurance or home insurance, necessary documents for getting help from insurance. You should keep insurance documents, personal identification documents... anything you feel is necessary, in a fireproof box. Also invest in a safe that can be drilled into the floor (if you live in a house) for your passport and social security card, and any other documents with important numbers such as check books. 

Overall, you need to live you life day by day. Live it to the fullest. Don't turn down any opportunity just because you are scared. Take reasonable risks (don't jump off a bridge just because your friends say it's cool). Don't have regrets. If you do something you wish you hadn't, think about how it really affects your life, and if it doesn't affect your life in a bad way, think about how much fun you had doing it! 

Don't ever think you have anything all figured out, including yourself. Everything constantly changes, including yourself, and the best way to deal with these changes is to adapt. Let everything flow! Nothing is permanent, this is both good and bad. Good things don't last, but don't worry, bad things don't last either.