What You Need to Know in Your 20s

This is ironic because I have not even reached my mid-20s as I am writing this. Perhaps a more suitable title would be 'What You Need to Know in Your Early 20s'. And then a few years from now, I will be writing this again from a mid 20s point of view and then finally another post in my late 20s (hopefully I'll still be blogging that time). I have lots to share from my own experience, from my observations, from other people's experiences and from what I read.

If you are in your late teens or if your age begins with the #2, here is what you need to know:

• You are in the transition period between a teenager and an adult. There are lots of changes that are bound to happen internally and externally. Expecting change, being OK with more responsibilities and having general acceptance of this transition will help you through this new phase of life. Denying change and always wanting to go back in the past will make it harder for you to embrace this exciting time of your life.

• Yes, being in your 20s is exciting. It is the youngest version of an adult that you will ever be. As a teenager, you are still considered a child, underaged and many limitations. In your 20s, life suddenly feels free and there are many choices to make. Appreciate your youth, you will miss your 20s.

• There will be times that you will be confused. Many times actually. So many things will change from the time you were a teenager. Your body, your thinking, how your parents treat you, your friendships, your fashion style, your favourite things, your career goals and the list goes on.

• Something to look forward to in your 20s is that you tend to become more beautiful, fewer pimples, better skin and body shape and it is the prime time of your youth. Appreciate yourself, your beauty and your body and take good care of it. There may be room for improvement but the first thing you need to do is to love yourself.

• Know that people around you can and will change. Be understanding of this change because you do not know what other people are experiencing in life. Have the benefit of the doubt and think good of others. 

• Some friendships will stay and some will drift away. That is the nature of life. Some people come to your life for a season to teach you a lesson and once you have learned that lesson, both of you move on and drift separate ways. Some friends stay for a lifetime. Whatever it is, always trust that it is for the best. 

• Some people will constantly give you negative energy, negative vibes, and negative words. Stay away or if you cannot completely stay away, reduce contact with people who constantly drain your energy. It is for your own good, your self-esteem and your self-confidence. These people who are often grown-ups lack moral values and you should feel sorry for them. Do not respond with negativity, instead show kindness and set a good example and reduce associating yourself with them. If they are younger than you, then be assured that they will grow up and learn from those mistakes later in the future.

• My favourite quote: Being in good company is better than being by yourself. Being by yourself is better than being in bad company. Be confident when you need to be by yourself. I always need me-time after socialising a lot. Reading a book, exercising, music and art are several ways I create me-time for myself. Me-time allows you to create self-reflection. After reflecting on yourself and realising what you need to improve, you can increasingly improve the relationships around you.

• Have hope and believe that the future will be better and everything will be OK. Nothing will be perfect but believe in yourself and your capabilities. People often underestimate this but this often does wonders. If you have a problem and you think that there is no solution and you do not see light at the end of the tunnel, it often creates this depressing thought in your mind that you are doomed. Put a stop to this. Be positive about your future and believing in yourself will create light at the end of the tunnel.

• Be OK making mistakes and learning from it. Do not be too hard on yourself. Some people learn better from making mistakes. Nobody knows it all. Learning is what we all should strive to do no matter what age we are. There is always something new to learn. Another way to reduce mistakes is by learning from others, people who are older and more experienced than you and from reading. 

• Read a lot. Books are a great companion. I enjoy motivational books because I feel that I am learning new things as I read and I get to improve myself. When I was a teen, I enjoyed chic lits which I still do but now as a young adult, I enjoy more motivations and self-help books. Let's see what books I enjoy later in life. I am definitely a bookworm.

• Try new things. If you have no commitments yet which applies to most people in their 20s, try to get as much experience as you can. If you have the opportunity to travel, travel. If you have the time to do as much work and jobs you can, work and work. If you enjoy certain activities, find all the opportunities you can to fill your free time. If you feel that you spent less time with family as a teenager, spend a lot of quality time with family. Relationships with people are equally important as doing what you enjoy. Both create a more fulfilled life and self-content. Identify what fulfills you and act accordingly.

• Trial and error is a part of young adult life. You may not have it all figured out. It is absolutely fine. Different people require a different amount of time to adapt to changes.

• Finally, realise that you are still young. Someone once told me 'You are still so young, your life is only about to begin. You have got a lot ahead of you to look forward to'. And that is what I want everyone in their 20s to know. Your life is only just about to begin. Fasten your seatbelt and have a safe and enjoyable journey :)