As you grow up you'll, hopefully, become wiser. When you're in your 20s most will argue you go through the most trials and tribulations, but through these you learn. Living and learning is all we can hope for, right? Here are 20 lessons every 20-something needs to learn.
1. Fewer real friends is better than a group of fake ones.
Whether they completely change over time, stab you in the back, or act like your best friend simply when it benefits them. You do not need these people in your life; the negativity, drama, and battle for their friendship is not worth it. The key is quality, not quantity.
2. Love is worth it.
If you’re happy, there will always be rough patches and transitions that you’ll have to fight through with your partner, but it’s worth it because if you’re meant to be then you’ll make it through and have your “person” forever. If you’re unhappy it won’t be easy to end the love you think you have, but it’s worth it because you’ll learn what worked and what didn’t, and you’ll teach yourself self-love when you have to rebuild after you’ve lost love.
3. Learn from regret
Do. Everything. Now. We may think that we have all the time in the world, but we really don’t. Looking back on things may hurt, but you can learn from that and move forward doing, or not doing, whatever it is you’ve always looked back and regretted.
4. You’re never too old to call your mom
Whether you need to talk, cry, wine, or ask for advice, Mom is probably always going to be the answer. Don’t hesitate to call because she probably wants to hear from you too.
5. You are your biggest competition
Everyone in our generation is competing with each other and creating a world of constant battle for being the best. Stop that. Empower one another, or at the very least, stop comparing yourself to anyone but your past self. You are the only one who can get in the way of your accomplishments.
6. Your life can’t be positive if your mind is not
If you wake up every morning and throw a pity party for yourself, your day isn’t going to get any better. Your life revolves around your brain and your thoughts, if they’re negative all the time, how will your life become positive? There might be someone with it better out there, but there’s also always someone with it worse. Count your blessings instead of your problems.
7. Be confident
Confidence is dwindling with our social media portrayals, constant comparison, and unrealistic expectations. Beat the odds and be confident in who you are and what you believe in. People will try and bring you down but if you have a strong sense of self, no one can steal that from you and you won’t let others negativity affect you so easily.
8. Not everyone is going to like you
Everyone can’t love everything about everyone unfortunately, so there are going to be people that don’t hire you, don’t hang out with you, don’t make friends with you. But all of that is okay, because you are a unique person who has passion for things and dislike for others, and that’s what makes you, you.
9. Life isn’t fair
Plain and simple, it will never be fair for anyone. Accept that, make the best of what you’ve got, and work for what you want.
10. A little nature goes a long way
The power of the outdoors is unbelievable. Fresh air, a bit of sun, and a day without technology can really reinvent the way you think about things, or at least clear your head.
11. Treat others the way you want to be treated
It’s the golden rule we’re taught since pre-school and if we practiced it more seriously, the world would be a much better place.
12. Take care of your body
If you do it now, it’ll be ten times easier to do it later. Your body is going to be with your forever and will either be the cause you make it past 50 or the reason you can’t walk up the stairs at 60.
13. There is always more to learn
You should never stop learning, because then you stop growing as a person. Never become stagnant and always keep your ego in check.
14. Everyone has a battle
Whether you know about it or not, everyone has battles that they deal with behind closed doors. Be. Kind.
15. Time will run out
We may be young and feel invincible, but time is creeping up on us. Take advantage of your youth and freedom.
16. You're getting older, so are your parents
It’s easy to get caught up in the fun life of a 20-something year old, but we all need to remind ourselves that although we’re becoming adults, our parents are getting old. Make time for them, appreciate them, value them, and love them. The scary truth is that they wont be here forever.
17. Money isn’t everything
Would you like to be in a mansion with every material item you could ever want alone, and bored? Don’t let your fight for wealth ruin your relationships, personality, morals, and life.
18. Travel is worth it
Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Experiencing new places, and meeting new people is an irreplaceable purchase.
19. Put yourself first
You are the only one who will always be there for you; you need to put yourself first sometimes to ensure happiness in your own future.
20. Happiness is key
A happy life is all we all really want right? It truly is all you need. If you’re in a one bedroom apartment in a shitty city, with roommates that barely fit, living paycheck to paycheck, but you have a huge smile on your face almost everyday…you win.
