Your 20’s are some of the most important years of your life. You start to find out who you really are, what you like, and how you want to spend the rest of your life. It’s important to not waste these years, to spend them productively and to start keeping yourself healthy both physically and emotionally.
1. Reduce your spending.
These are the years that are important to start creating smart spending habits – deciding what you need versus what you want, saying no to the everyday $6 latté at Starbucks, or the newest accessory that you think you can’t live without. Building a savings account is so important when starting your adult years, so why not start sooner rather than later?
2. Seriously think about your career.
3. Travel.
Take this time to go see the places you’ve always wanted to see. Backpack through Europe with a group of your closest friends, or take a year off and travel the world. It’s such a great time to do it, so take advantage of it.
4. Be kind to strangers.
It is incredibly important to develop a positive attitude, not only towards your everyday life, but also toward people that you surround yourself with. Be nice to strangers; smile as they pass you on the street. Help someone carry their bags when they’re struggling, just because you can. This positivity and kindness will overflow into your other relationships and help you lead a more positive and healthy life.
5. Work out and eat healthy.
You and your body are in prime condition during this time to work on getting healthy! It is a great time in your life to focus on eating healthy and exercising regularly. Also, studies show that exercising regularly keeps you happier, so why say no to that?
6. Connect with people all the time.
Don't lose touch with the people you know. Keep up with high school and college friends, and don’t let your distant family members become strangers. Pick up the phone and talk to people when you have free time; take them out for coffee. Ask them how they’re doing, what they’re up to—it will go a long way. Call an old friend just to say hi, call grandma to tell her you miss her—keep in touch with everyone, always.
7. Get an experience instead of an object.
You might think that your next paycheck should be going towards that new bag you saw in the window walking to work, or those new beautiful shoes you think you must have. Instead, try saving money for a trip, or a concert or a show. Become accustomed to buying experiences rather than objects, because while that newest bag or pair of shoes will make you happy for a while, experiences will stay with you forever.
8. Learn to cook.
Enough of the Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese or buttered and salted pasta for dinner—invest in a cookbook and learn some new recipes! Be able to surprise guests when you have them over for dinner. Explore foods you have yet to try or make before.
9. Set goals.
Setting realistic goals will help you achieve not
only everything you want to, but also keep you productive each and
every day. Setting goals and working towards them is a great way to accomplish things you really want to do.
10. Put your phone down.
It is time for the cheesy quote: "look up." Everyone is becoming so accustomed to spending every single second looking at Instagram or Facebook to see the newest update from someone they probably don't even speak to. You will be surprised how much more you get out of each day with less time spent on your phone. Put it down and be in the moment!
11. Realize who your true best friends are.
Life is too short to surround yourself with people who don’t really care about you or believe in you. At this point in your life, it is easy to tell which of your friends care about you and love you, and they are the ones worth hanging on to and making memories with. Keep them by your side for love and support.
Your 20's are the years that help shape the person that you will become. It is so important to take advantage of them and try to lead the most positive and healthy lifestyle you possibly can.
