10 Lessons that I learned in my 20s

The 20s can be both exciting and challenging years of life. You move out of college, and there's pressure to become independent. You end up making choices that you might regret later. You go through a lot of changes, hoping that one day you'll figure them out. But it's later in life you realise that nobody has it figured out.?

When I was young, I thought turning 25 was quite old. You become more wise and mature. You accumulate all the wealth in this world and do whatever you like. Haha, I was such a noob to believe this.?

?I'm in the late 20s, and it's hard for me to contemplate. Where'd the 20s go? I have been thinking of what I've learned in my 20s. All the mistakes I made in the last decade but never gave up.?

We are so busy in our lives that it's important to stop and reflect on the lessons learnt. It's important to write them down, turn them into a memory for the rest of your life. What do you think? Isn't it interesting??

10 Life Lessons that I Learned in My 20s

The point of writing this article is to tell you that life doesn't stop after 30. It's a reflection on all the lessons learnt in the last one decade. The 20s are the building blocks of life. You're learning and unlearning a lot of things every day. You hold and let go of people. You're learning to become independent, taking responsibility, paying bills. You go through heartbreaks and form meaningful relationships.?

Here are 10 such lessons which have shaped my 20s. I'd love to share with you. This might be a recap or a reminder that 20s are the same for everyone. Continue to evolve and learn from your mistakes.?

1.You can't figure it out.

I spent most of my 20s believing that I'll be able to figure out my life. What do I want? What are my goals in life, and what makes me happy? I thought I'd achieve all of my goals by the age of 25, and when that didn't happen, I suffered physically and mentally.

The important lesson here is that if things don't go as planned, don't be too hard on yourself. Embrace where you are and do what it takes to become the best version of yourself.?

2.Start reading.

In my early 20s, I developed a habit of reading. My friends used to tell me he is such a nerd that he spends his leisure time reading instead of enjoying himself. For the most part of my life, I thought they were right. But now that I'm in my late 20s, I think they were wrong about it.?

Reading doesn't make you a nerd; instead, it makes you smart.

When you read books, you learn from the experiences of people who have written them. You develop new ideas and the ability to think beyond.?

The important lesson here is that gather a wealth of knowledge by reading books in your 20s.

3. Don't expect people to be available every time.?

As you get into your twenties, you won't have as many people or friends around you. And a few friends you know have jobs and responsibilities. You can't count on them to be available at all times. They have boundaries in their personal and professional lives. They can't always be there.?

The lesson learnt is that it's ok if your friend couldn't come to meet you or attend your family function. We have got responsibilities which we can't escape. Learn to value others time.?

4.Focus on your physical wellbeing.

When I told my friend I'd stopped eating sugar, he laughed for a few minutes and said, "You're too young for this." That's when I realised that people in their twenties are the least concerned about their physical health.

In my early twenties, I ate every other junk food, gorged on chips and cold drinks, slept for hours on end, and rarely exercised. I kept telling myself that I'd start eating healthier tomorrow, but it never happened until I gained a lot of weight.

This is when I had a serious conversation with myself and was convinced to make healthier choices.?

The lesson is that you are what you feed to your body. Make choices that you don't regret later.

5.Seek help for mental wellbeing?

I'm sure I'll get a lot of advice about working out, meditating and sleeping well. But that is not the case.?

I've been working out and even meditating on days. But there's a point when you realise things are not working. You're exhausted and in need of a break.?

No one wants to bring up the subject of mental health because it is so fragile. It's a real problem, and there's everything ok with talking about it. If you're going through a difficult time and your friends or family aren't understanding, see a professional.

The best part of seeking a professional is that they'll hear you instead of making a counterattack.?

The lesson learned is that in your twenties, you discover things about yourself, and some experiences can impact your mental health. Rather than relying solely on yourself, seek professional assistance. Don't blame others for not understanding your mental health because it's never discussed or covered in school.

6.Start saving and investing

It wasn't until I left my secure job that I realised the value of saving and investing. The money I would have saved would have been invested in my business. Financial gurus and pundits continue to preach the importance of saving money in your twenties. The truth is that many people find it difficult to save and invest in their twenties until they encounter an unforeseen event.

Furloughs and layoffs, for example, during the pandemic taught us the value of saving and investing.

7.Stop comparing?

In the internet age, when we are connected with people virtually, it's easy to compare. You compare yourself to your peers or people on the internet who are of the same age.?

I always thought people who are successful at my age have everything figured out. They're happier and have a more settled life. But in reality, everyone is scared as you. Everyone wakes up with the same feeling that they're not the best.?

The lesson learned is that we all have different backgrounds, beliefs, ideologies, privileges and freedom, making us different from each other. So instead of comparing, start focusing on your growth.?

8. There's nothing wrong with working for someone.?

I always thought that the idea of working for someone was weird. How do people end up in the same job? Yes, it's a comfort zone, but sometimes it's responsibility. Some people can't live on their source of income because their family or loved ones are dependent on them.?

The concept of "entrepreneurship" and "being your own boss" is so widely promoted on the internet that most people end up hating their jobs.

Remember that what you see on the internet is the glamorous side of entrepreneurship, but in reality, it requires a great deal of patience and hard work.

You don't end up making money initially. NO one talks about the struggles and a phase of financial distress.?

The lesson learned is that the next time you read a post about "entrepreneurship" and complain about your job, remember that there is nothing wrong with working for someone else. You enjoy a lot of perks that otherwise are difficult in your business.?

9.Avoid Debts?

Student loans, EMIs, and credit card bills all contribute to debt in your twenties. You may be considering taking out loans because you don't have enough money, with the intention of repaying them later when you do. But keep in mind that if you can't afford it, you CAN'T AFFORD IT. Work hard and save up more money to buy.

10.The best plan is to not have a plan.?

I've always considered having a backup plan. What happens if this doesn't work? You'll get nowhere if you don't have a plan. But keep in mind that not having a plan and settling for it is the best plan.

When you know you don't have a backup plan, you'll work extra hard to make the only one you have a reality.

Here's a message for you

If you are in your 20s and reading this, I want you to do one thing "STOP BEING HARD ON YOURSELF". Don't make your life so serious that you forget to celebrate everything little thing. The 20s is the best time of life. Do weird shit, explore more about the world and yourselves, learn to accept your vulnerabilities and get rid of toxic people in life. Stop living by the rules and start focusing on what makes you happy. You don't need a job title, a large number of followers, a good relationship, or a good salary to define your own worth. You are the one who defines it.