Your 20s can be the most challenging era of your life. Your entire future is up in the air. Let’s be honest - trying to figure out your education, your career, and your personal life is exhausting and next to impossible. When it looks like everyone else around you has their lives completely worked out already, it can drive you crazy. Believe it or not, we’re all human, we all make mistakes, and we definitely don’t have everything figured out. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize this until their 20s are long behind them. For those of us who still have a few years left to enjoy of our 20s, there are some important things that we should keep in mind. Here are 10 life lessons that everyone in their 20s should know:
1. Focus on the present.
Most people in their 20s feel the need to have their entire lives figured out. We are constantly worrying about the future when we should be focusing on the present. You’re only in your 20s once, and you shouldn’t waste those years by constantly worrying about what’s going to happen 10 years from now.
2. Don’t stress.
This is much easier said than done, but it’s extremely important. Whether it’s a paper, an internship, or your entire career that’s causing you stress, you have to keep it all in perspective, or you will go insane. If you take things one step at a time, you will find that life can be much more enjoyable.
3. Figure out what you don't want in life, even if it messes up your plans.
As the amazing Amy Poehler said in her memoir, Yes Please, “I think we should stop asking people in their 20s what they 'want to do' and start asking them what they don’t want to do." We put so much pressure on making a perfect future for ourselves. We have to know exactly what we want to do and how we’re going to get there. Here’s the thing – life never goes according to plan. Along the way, you might realize that the career you thought you wanted isn’t for you, and that’s perfectly ok. Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if it’s not what you originally planned.
4. Don’t compare your path to anyone else’s.
No matter what field you’re in, there’s always the temptation to compare your success to someone else’s. You have to realize that everyone has a different path towards their own success, and just because someone else has an incredible opportunity, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Instead, celebrate their success and share in their happiness! Your time will come sooner or later, and you’re going to want people to be there to celebrate with you.
5. You can’t hurry love.
Most of us can relate to feeling the pressure of finding “the one” in our 20s. For some reason, a lot of us feel like it will be impossible for us to find happiness unless we get married and have children before we turn 30. Yes, we all know people who find love straight out of high school and are headed down the aisle in their 20s. This is amazing for them, but it doesn’t happen to everyone. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, etc., remember this – don’t go looking for love. Instead, focus on what’s in front of you, and love will likely find you in ways that are much better than you could ever imagine.
6. Be kind to yourself.
It seems like our 20s are the years when we’re most critical of ourselves. Your own insecurities can be the only thing standing in the way of your true happiness. Take the time to learn about yourself, rather than point out all of your faults. By learning to love yourself, you will be well-equipped for surviving your 20s.
7. You are going to make mistakes.
Life isn’t like it is in the movies. Your 20s aren’t going to be flawless. You’re going to make a few mistakes, but you need to realize that there’s a beauty in this. By making mistakes when you’re young, you are going to learn so many valuable lessons. Don’t keep yourself from taking chances because you’re afraid of making a mistake. Life is a journey, and it’s going to have some bumps in the road.
8. Stop caring about what other people think.
We all have moments when we let other people’s opinions dominate our actions. We can’t please everyone, no matter how much we might like to. Don’t let your career or your personal life be controlled by making other people happy. Instead, focus on learning about yourself and what makes you happy. As long as you live your life with integrity and fearlessness, the positive people in your life are here to stay.
9. Work hard.
While you shouldn’t feel like you need to have your entire career planned out in your 20s, you should work hard to pursue your passions. No matter where you might be in life, hard work will always pay off in the end. If you have a goal, nothing should keep you from working toward it. These are the years when it’s okay for you to be selfish with your goals. Don’t waste them.
10. Enjoy your life as much as you possibly can.
It’s already been established that your 20s are going to be a little bit messy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this time in your life. Try to enjoy every second of your 20s, because they will go by in the blink of an eye. You should be able to look back at this time in your life with fondness, not regret.
