Our twenties are a time of self-growth, exploration and trial and error. Because let’s face it, your thirties are the time to scramble around looking for a soul mate to settle down with (blah, blah). So whether you just became legal to have a vodka martini or you’re at the ripe age of 28, here are 20 things you should learn in your twenties.
1. Make peace with your past. Whether
it’s with a bad relationship, a mistake or a friendship that didn’t
last, make peace with it. Accept your part, forgive and move on. Holding
onto your past can jeopardize your future and nothing is sadder than
bringing dead flowers to a new garden. Bottom line, let it go and move
on.
2. Surround yourself with good people.
Your circle of friends should be a good one. It should be a circle of
trust, love and support. Anything less needs to be kicked to the curb.
Don’t allow toxic people into your space. Remember, quality over
quantity.
3. Don’t stay in crappy relationships.
We all have that one time where we stayed in a relationship long over
it’s expiration date. Whether it was with a romantic partner or a
friend, when it’s expired, throw it out. It'll only do more harm to
stay.
4. Go after your dreams. Whether
it’s to become a doctor or open your own business, go after it. Go
after it relentlessly. Life is too short to spend precious time and
energy doing something we hate, so create your own life and do what
makes you happy. No dream is too big or too small, but it’s up to you to
make it come to life.
5. Volunteer. Just do it. It's good for the soul.
6. Save money. Anything. You'll thank me later.
7. Let go of fear.
Stop letting it hold you hostage. Start that business, take that class,
talk to that girl. Stop being so scared of “what might happen” and find
out what will happen. The worst thing you can say isn’t “I failed,”
but, “I didn’t try.”
8. Travel. As
much as you can. Experience new settings, immerse yourself in new
cultures. See how other people live, try new food. Life is too short to
stay in one city or state. The world is big and beautiful and it is your
duty to marvel at it as much as you can.
9. Stop saying “yes” when you want to say “no.” If you don’t want to go to that party, don’t go. If you don’t want to finish that book, don’t finish it. We spend too much time doing things that we don’t like. Why? I don't know, but life is too short for that. Start doing what makes YOU happy!
10. Read. Read. Read. Please. It has benefits, I promise.
11. Put in the work. When it comes to relationships, your career, losing weight; you have to put in the work. Nobody else will do it for you. You have to work hard for the things and people you want, that’s how you get results, that’s how things last. Effort is key.
12. Be accountable. Don’t play the victim. Don’t blame everyone else but yourself. Hold yourself accountable and take responsibility.
13. Be honest. About
what you want, who you want and who you are. Don’t lie, don’t deceive
people, don’t play with people’s feelings. Just don't do it!
14. Invest in yourself. Do
things that your future self will thank you for. Take care of your
body; you only get one. Put yourself first so you’re capable of helping
others later. Invest in yourself and don’t be sorry for it.
15. Stop comparing yourself.
We don’t know what other people are going through. We just see what we
see and then we assume. Don’t compare yourself. Be you and be happy with
what you have. Comparing just steals our peace.
16. Spend time with family.
Life is short and we never know when someone could be taken away from
us, so spend time with the people you love. Tell them you love them
while you can and don’t take a minute with them for granted.
17. Spend time alone. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, time alone is healthy. It's necessary. You’re your own person and you need to give yourself some space to just be with yourself.
18. Show gratitude. Always appreciate what you have. Acknowledging what you have in life is the key to obtaining more.
19. Be a good person. Please. The world is filled with sh*tty people, so be a good one.
20. Know your worth. Don’t settle. Don’t settle for relationships, for crappy jobs; nothing! Know that you are made of stars and galaxies and you deserve the universe. Know your value and don’t give out discounts on the parts of you that make you so special!
