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10 things I wish I knew in my 20’s

By on July 3, 2019
10 things I wish I knew in my 20’s

By Julie Ferrell

Believe it or not, there’s no way I’d ever want to go back in time and relive my 20s. It’s such a confusing period for most women; we’re not teenagers anymore, but we’re also not quite mature and confident enough in most areas of our life. We fumble our way blindly through jobs, relationships, friends, and apartments, wondering if we’re making the right decisions.

It isn’t until we’re in our 40s that we look back on our post-college years and shake our heads, saying, “If only I’d done this-or-that differently.” But sadly, wisdom usually only comes with age. So in the hopes that some unassuming millennial may find this post searching for some answers, perhaps they’ll follow the advice here. Here are ten things I wish I knew in my 20s.

1. Worrying is Pointless
I did a lot of worrying in my 20s—about my chosen career, whether I would find the right guy, and have enough money to support myself. The problem with worrying is we can’t predict if anything we’re ruminating over will come to pass. And very often, any missteps we make along the way can be rectified. So try not to lose sleep over worrying. Believe that everything is working out for you, because it usually is.

2. Wait a While Before Having Kids
If you’ve found the right partner to settle down with, you may be thinking that starting a family while you’re still in your 20s is the way to go, because everyone else you know is doing it and because you want to be a young parent with more energy. Wait a while, and savor some couple time with that person first before you decide to add a new human to your household. Trust me on this one: once a baby arrives, your life is changed forever.

3. Prepare to Change Careers at Some Point
The average person changes careers five to seven times during their working life, and you will probably be no exception. Don’t be surprised if you find a different life’s path is calling you once you hit your 30s or 40s.

4. Give in to Cravings Once in a While
Feel like treating yourself to your favorite restaurant’s gooey brownie sundae, or hogging half of a large pizza? Once in a while, you should just go for it and indulge your cravings.

That’s because you’re still in your 20s and your metabolism is at its highest rate. Once you hit your mid-30s, it starts to slow down and weight becomes harder to burn off. Enjoy that extra serving while you can still easily burn it off.

5. Wearing Sunscreen is Important
I can’t underestimate the importance of shielding your skin from the sun. You may hate me now for sounding like your mother, but you’re going to thank me later when you’re still relatively wrinkle-free in a few decades. Invest in a good hat and sunglasses in addition to sunscreen for your face and body. No one wants to look like a worn leather bag by the time they’re celebrating their 50th birthday party.

Be sure to eat your fruits and veggies as well; there are common foods that help protect your skin from UV damage.

6. It’s OK to Ask a Guy Out
When I was in my 20s, there were several dating advice books that centered around “the rules.” You weren’t supposed to ask a guy out and if they asked you out, you were supposed to play coy and pretend that your social calendar was full for the next few days, to prompt him to chase you.

Sadly, this misplaced advice led to a lot of missed opportunities. It’s almost the year 2020 and there is no such thing as dating rules, especially in a world dominated by apps and social media. If you find him cute, ask him out—you have nothing to lose. The worst that can happen is that he tells you “no.”

7. You Need to Love Yourself More
My 20s were strife with low self esteem and not feeling good enough at times. I based my worth on the approval of others and it just made me miserable.

This is my chance to tell 20-somethings that they need to stop doing this. You ARE good enough if YOU are the one believing it. Stop putting yourself down with the crazy broken record of false beliefs that you put on repeat in your head day after day. Start loving yourself more by saying positive affirmations to yourself such as “I am start”, “I am capable”, etc.

8. You Should Get Enough Sleep
There is such a thing as beauty sleep, and we still need plenty of it in our 20s. It’s OK to stay up late once in a while, but it’s a good idea to get into a regular bedtime routine, particularly as you begin your career journey and want to make sure you’re waking up on time to get to work.

Never underestimate the importance of a good mattress to help you get a great night’s sleep. Check out this mattress buying guide so you’ll know the best one to invest in when purchasing furniture for your first apartment.

9. It’s OK to Be Single
We live in a very couples-oriented society where single people are sometimes viewed as misfits. I’m here to tell you that that’s hardly the case and you shouldn’t let anyone make you feel that way.

Don’t let your singledom hold you back from going on trips or out to eat at the new restaurant in town. Join some Meetup groups with like-minded people who love to do the things you do. You’re bound to meet the right person when you least expect it.

10. Just Go For It
I wish I had taken more chances in my 20s and stopped being so afraid of what could go wrong. I wish I had known that it would have made better sense to ask myself “What could go right?”

So apply for that job on the other side of the country, pass your card with your phone number to that hot guy, and take an acting class if that’s what your heart is calling you to. After all, you only live through your 20s once.

Here at Simply Woman, we love empowering ladies with content that helps them live their best lives. Check out our latest lifestyle posts for more advice on personal discovery and living a life with passion.

 

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profileJulie Ferrell is a freelance writer originally hailing from Ohio (O-H!) but now calls North Carolina home.  Julie enjoys writing on a number of topics but ultimately aims to help others enrich their lives by sharing personal experiences and practical advice.

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