Your 20s is an awesome time. You are becoming more independent and are fully immersed in the journey of self-discovery. It is a time of big choices and fun experiences, but there are a few things to keep in mind to make the most out of this period of your life. So let’s talk about them.
1. Networking
This is an important time for forging connections and learning from others. People tend to be quite open to a young professional asking them questions and seeking mentorships. The connections you can foster early on are likely to be lasting and provide many professional and personal opportunities.
Seek out events in your area or online and become a part of a variety of groups. Little by little, you will see the ones that bring the most value to your life. You will get opportunities for unique experiences and learning from successful people. Utilize the opportunities to the fullest.
2. Manage your finances
This is also a good time to learn how to manage your finances. While you might not have a lot to lose, this will help you practice without lasting consequences. The sooner you start saving, investing, and managing, the sooner you will see the results.
Many young people neglect financial education, so this will give you a leg up in regards to your peers and also provide you with precious experience. It’s never too early to start planning for the future.
3. Travel
Traveling while you are in your 20s has many advantages. Even if you are short on budget you can explore your city and neighboring towns, traveling can add a lot of value to your life. When we travel, we learn how to adapt to new situations. It takes us out of our comfort zone and allows us to test ourselves.
How will we manage in another culture? How will we travel and get by on a fixed amount? It challenges us to learn and be better. Seeing and meeting new people helps us shift our perspective and also boost our communication skills by engaging with others, often without a common cultural ground or language.
4. Make mistakes
From an early age, we are taught to avoid mistakes and to be careful. But this approach can be counterproductive. Our mistakes are what helps us grow and learn, and there are few things that are as effective for this type of goal. So, for your 20s, embrace the idea that you will make mistakes and don’t be afraid if they happen – seek them out.
For example, if you are applying for a job and sending resumes, you will likely be rejected a lot. You could decide to collect 10 or 20 or 50 rejections. By setting this as a goal and not as a failure, you will be able to improve your resume and interviewing skills without getting upset if you don’t get hired right away.
Embrace your capacity for making mistakes, as each of them will offer a push on your journey towards your better self.
5. Develop healthy habits
In your 20s, your health might be at its best, but it doesn’t mean that you should neglect it. Many young people drink and eat in a way that is likely to hurt them eventually, so this time of your life is a good opportunity to establish life-long healthy habits.
Consider your diet, learn to cook, and find a way of exercising that works for you. You don’t need to deny yourself life’s pleasures, but starting early on to build a healthy foundation is likely to improve your well-being significantly and provide one of the best investments in the future.
6. Make more risks
Your 20s are the best time to take risks in regards to your own self. You can feel free to experiment and try out different paths and habits. For many, this is the optimal age to do it, as they don’t have kids or others to depend on them and are responsible for themselves. Changing a path or a major direction shift early is much easier, because we have the energy and motivation to do so. You can experiment without fearing the future.
7. Discover your hobbies
As we become employed and get into more committed relationships, we find that time is in shorter supply than it used to be. The 20s offers you more opportunities to find hobbies and activities that bring you the most positive emotions. See which things cheer you up and help you feel better. It is a great advantage to have some activities to do when you are down or bored.
