29 Lessons From My 20’s
On my 29th birthday, 29 lessons from
my 20’s
Each year, a birthday brings so much sentimental happiness to the forefront for me. Another year older, wiser, and filled with hope and excitement for what the next trip around the sun will entail. In parallel, it also leaves me reflecting on the year gone by and subsequently, at year 29, what all the years of my twenties have held thus far. At times, it feels as if I have lived 5 different lives ha! This one is for all my twenty-somethings who are figuring life out themselves and also those who simply need some little inspiring reminders. So, as I round out my last year in my twenties *as I clutch my pearls* here are 29 lessons I have learned in my twenties era thus far:
Prioritize spending time with the people who love you.
TRAVEL and take the trips. Money will return but the time will not.
Embrace change. Your 20’s are all about change, figuring life out and experiencing new things + independence. Focus on flowing with the change while appreciating the past but not dwelling on it.
Quality over quantity. In clothing, friendships, and wine.
Gain real world experience and wait at least 2 years before deciding what to get a Masters degree in (with the exception of medical, law, etc.) as your goals or career path may change.
You don’t have to have it all figured out at 21. There is not one “end all be all” company, job, relationship, or season.
Find a hobby you love outside of working.
Start saving for retirement as soon as you can. Always pay yourself first.
Be kind to yourself. Speak kindly + think kindly because your thoughts are what come to life + come true over time.
Take chances for what you dream of and drive your passions. Ask the question “Why NOT you?”
You only have one body and mind. Prioritize putting good healthy habits in place to get good out.
You take on the traits of the people/friends you spend the most time with. Invest in those friends who share the similar goals in life and work as you and hold those tight who make you feel fulfilled after spending time with them. You will both make each other better.
Don’t take advice from anyone who you wouldn’t trade places with.
When you are low, Pray about it and seek God’s guidance - His signs are in more places surrounding you than you think. When all seems to be going well, Pray and be thankful.
Get a dog. They are angels on Earth (especially Golden Retrievers).
The type of person you want to be? Be that person now and show up as them in your actions and habits. You want to be a person who wakes up early? Do it. You want to find joy in the small things? Seek them out. Life doesn’t change overnight, but with small hyper-intentional decisions and habits each day, it can.
Just buy the shoes or the outfit when you find ones you love. The occasion or event will find you or you will just wear it and feel like a million!
Nobody has it all figured out. Everyone is figuring it out as they go. Some just make the choice to go for it (whatever that is) more than others.
Always believe in yourself.
Communication is everything. In friendships, relationships, and business.
Put as much good out into the world with your time, words, energy and choices.
Give yourself grace. And others too because you never know fully what is going on behind the scenes.
You’re not on any one else’s timeline except your own. Don’t let comparison steal your joy. Sit back, live life to your fullest and enjoy it.
Choose joy. Happiness and joy isn’t something that just happens to you. It is a choice that you decide. It takes more strength to be joyful than negative/pessimistic in most situations. Making that choice to enjoy where you are + place joyful things around your home, closet, or life will make such positive impacts in the long run and can even inspire others to do the same.
Fresh flowers are always a good idea.
Take a look around and LIVE IN THE MOMENT where you are now. Enjoying + savoring each phase helps you to gain wisdom, thankfulness, and purpose to be prepared for the next. Whenever that may come.
Great times and bad times both never last forever. They are simply seasons that are meant for you to live through and grow into who you are meant to be.
The hardest part is starting. A new job. A new skill. A workout. A relationship. A class. Just take that first step.
One can never have too many red lipsticks or classic white button ups.
BONUS: go on the date even if you’ve sworn off dating for a while, because that man might just become your husband!
Now, I certainly still have lots to learn and wisdom to gain but that’s the beauty of life, right? Through my experiences of moving cities, changing jobs, living the corporate life, single life, dating, fitness, small biz life, traveling, styles, education, and now marriage - It is my hope that these words and lessons resonate with at least one of you who reads this. They certainly have helped shape me over the last several years.
Without further adieu, cheers friends! Here’s to you and to the last year of being a “twenty-something!” Off to spend my birthday with the loveliest of friends and fam who have gotten me this far.