10 Things You Should Do In Your Twenties
Today is my 29th birthday and as I enter the last year of my 20s, I’m reflecting on some of the most important life lessons I’ve learned this decade. According to an age-study from Netflix’s 100 Humans, your 20s and 60s are the best ages of your life. This is YOUR decade to slay so here’s some advice for young adults trying to live their best lives. YOLO, right?
- Go on an adventure completely by yourself. Whether a music festival or a trip to a foreign country, it will be one of the most important trips of your life. The sense of empowerment you take away from it is unlike any other experience you’ll have: you’ll connect with yourself on such a deep level and grow from the risks you take on your own.
- Try new things! Stop at that corner cafe and order the house special. Jump in the freezing cold lake with your clothes on. Go rock-climbing or mini-golfing in a town you’ve never been. Try a Zumba class or drink wine and paint that picture. Through these experiences, you’ll build some incredible memories and challenge yourself to think differently in new places and new situations.
3. Stay active. Daily. Whatever it is you “do”, do it a lot! Swimming, biking, yoga, dancing, disc golf, weights at home, or even speed-walking: there is nothing more important than the physical vessel we’re stuck with for our lifetime. Keep your body moving and fuel it to keep going! My favorite challenge was completing a full triathlon over the month of February. It was more my pace and the sense of accomplishment at the end has stuck with me for years!
4. SAVE YOUR MONEY! Auto-saving on direct deposit, stacking cash, whatever you can afford. A number of instances can rock you financially and having wiggle room is priceless. The more you watch your spending (especially credit), the sooner you’ll be able to invest in assets such as cars, property, and stocks. On that note, pay your bills off ASAP. If you have debt, don’t buy that festival ticket or a round of shots. Take care of YOU first.
5. Get insurance if you can afford to. Health, car, pet, and property! A car accident, medical bill, vet bill, burglary or spill could be devastating and leave you physically, emotionally, and financially scarred. To protect yourself, your aging dog, and your brand new laptop, get the policy that keeps you best-protected. Lord knows you have a million other things to stress about in your 20s.
6. Have a second (or third) source of income. Maybe you monetize your hobby as an artist. Maybe you get a part-time job doing something fun on the side. Sell your clothes, bartend, be a ride-share driver: having a additional income not only makes you feel better about spending, but you’re learning new skills. I started as a retail assistant for a hat and apparel company and learned so much about social media, marketing, and sales and found myself so happy in a new role!
7. Work smart, not hard. In school, we were told to work hard: be better and do more. But working hard doesn’t always pay off. In fact, working hard may just be tiring you out, exhausting resources, and costing more in the long run. Spend time learning about relevant tools, reflect on your practices, and reassess frequently to make sure you’re doing your best work. No need to waste your precious time: you’re twenty and trying to live it up right now!
8. Create more. We need to exercise our imaginations as much (if not more than) our bodies, so unleash your creativity through a hobby or skill you enjoy. Maybe you make jewelry. Maybe you paint or write (like me!). Maybe you edit photos, blow glass, or design clothes. Whatever your thing is, save some “you” time for that and express yourself.
9. Focus on what you can control: not what you can’t. Steven Covey’s Circle of Influence perfectly illustrates this concept. While it’s good to be mindful of the world around you, it’s most important to maximize your impact and focus on what you can change. You’ll find yourself less stressed and less anxious overall and maybe making a real difference.
10. Love lots! Meet new people, reconnect with family, reconcile old relationships that went sour. Showing love and positivity only improves emotional bank accounts and reflects your personality in others. Building connections and relationships is one of the most beautiful parts of growing up and life’s too short to be unhappy with those around you. Spread the love and be happy!
