Your teenage years were likely a whirlwind and at the end of them, you may be left feeling like you’ve got it all figured out — or nothing figured out. Either way, you’re probably wrong. In your twenties, you’ll learn many life lessons, some harsher than others.
While some insights can only come from experiencing life, today we’ll explore twenty key life lessons everyone learns at some point in their twenties.
Life Lesson #1 – No one has it all figured out.
As you enter the first stages of adulthood, you may feel woefully unprepared for the next chapter of your life. Don’t fret. No one has everything figured out. Everyone is learning as they go. Try not to let yourself feel like an imposter when entering new situations. Take advantage of this period of growth and work to learn all you can.
Life Lesson #2 – You can’t please everyone.
Parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and other adults in your life will have visions for you and your future. That doesn’t mean you need to follow their visions. Explore your own path and identify what matters most to you. Don’t worry about filling a mold you may feel like your parents have made for you.
Life Lesson #3 – There’s no value in comparing yourself to others.
It’s easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to what others have achieved or how someone else looks. You’re living no one else’s life but your own. You cannot compare your unique journey to that of others on different paths.
Instead, look at how far you’ve come on your own journey. You’ve had great achievements in your own right and will accomplish your goals on your own timeline.
Life Lesson #4 – It’s important to pay attention to your health.
As a teenager, you may have been able to scarf down a box of cereal before dinner and still have room for a bag of Pizza Rolls before bed. In your twenties, the same diet would probably leave you feeling a little queasy.
It’s as important as ever to keep up with your fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, and exercise daily. If you work a desk job, you may not even realize you spend eight hours each day sitting. Be sure to get up and be active throughout the day to ensure proper blood circulation and reduce significant health risks. Consider that the investments you make in your health now will pay dividends in years to come.
Life Lesson #5 – Don’t take anything for granted.
From your health to those parent-sponsored health insurance plans, education opportunities, and housing options — don’t take anything for granted. The last few months left many individuals without incomes, having lost family members, and more.
Implement a morning gratitude practice a few days each week to remind yourself of the things you care about most. Document why they mean so much to you and think through what your life would be like if they weren’t around.
Life Lesson #6 – You need to learn to enjoy your own company first.
It’s only natural to want to seek out friends or romantic relationships. In order to build strong relationships, you need to first be comfortable with yourself. As cliche as it may sound, you have to love yourself and find out what makes you happy before you can expect someone else to.
Life Lesson #7 – Relationships take time and effort.
When you were in school, it was easy to be friends with people who surrounded you. After all, you were stuck with each other for quite a few hours each day. As you get older, it takes more than proximity to make a friendship, and with responsibilities like work, you’ll have less time to spend with friends.
You’ll also learn that when it comes to relationships, quality is more important than quantity. Invest effort in the relationships that matter most to you. Put the work in to come to understand each other and learn how the other person wants to be supported. If you’re feeling upset that someone hasn’t reached out in a while, take it upon yourself to reach out.
Life Lesson #8 – Always be authentic.
Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not to fit in with the crowd or get friends. Always focus on being yourself.
Life Lesson #9 – Your parents are human too.
This can be a hard one to learn, but your parents are just as human as you are. As a child, your parents are likely one of your first heroes. Unfortunately, entering your twenties and leaving your parents’ home for the first time may start to uncover childhood trauma you didn’t know was there.
While it’s only natural to be upset, in time, you’ll learn that your parents are human beings just like you are. Similarly, they’ve dealt with trauma from their own parents and respective childhood. As you grow up, seek out opportunities to connect with your parents over past regrets instead of burning bridges.
Life Lesson #10 – Build and leverage your network.
Your network is one of the most valuable assets you’ll build in your life. Be gracious to people you meet along the way and work to understand their story. Stay in touch with individuals you’ve worked with in the past and focus on providing value to others before expecting to see something in return.
Life Lesson #11 – Surround yourself with a variety of people.
It’s easy to only have friends who come from the same background as you or have the same job you do. Work to reach past your immediate social network to make connections with people from all walks of life. You should surround yourself not only with people who inspire you but also with those who challenge you to think differently.
Life Lesson #12 – Learn how to handle conflict.
It can be tempting to cut contact with anyone who disagrees with you or challenges your way of thinking, but it’s important to learn how to handle conflict. There will always be people you have to be around who you may not completely agree with. It’s valuable to be able to collaborate with individuals you disagree with.
Life Lesson #13 – Don’t wait until you feel ready.
You may never feel 100% ready to go after your dream job, quit the job you hate, or make the jump into entrepreneurship. Whatever it is, don’t wait until you feel ready. Take calculated risks and in the end, go for it!
Life Lesson #14 – Invest in yourself.
Investing in yourself today will pay dividends in the future. From a personal and professional development perspective, work to always learn something new. You should regularly challenge yourself to reach new heights aligned with your goals. Take courses, read books, go to conferences, and connect with mentors in your line of work.
Life Lesson #15 – Don’t be afraid to fail.
Failing is one of the most effective ways to learn. When you’re in your twenties, you still have a lot of opportunities to fail often and learn lots. In the early stages of your career, take (calculated) risks. When you’re asking to be put on a new project, considered for a raise, or new promotion, the worst that could happen is you hear “no”. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from trying.
Life Lesson #16 – Ask lots of questions.
Whether you’re in school or the early stages of your career, ask tons of questions. Work to understand and be curious. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions.
Life Lesson #17 – One bad decision probably won’t ruin your life.
It’s easy to get caught up in decisions like your college major, where to go to school, and what career path to take. Chances are, you might not find your dream job right away. You might not even want to finish a semester in your initial major. But that’s okay. You can start a new major. You can pivot into an alternative career. None of those decisions are permanent. Don’t let yourself get so caught up in making a “bad” decision you don’t make one at all.
Life Lesson #18 – Don’t be afraid to leave a job that’s holding you back.
In the early stages of your career, it can be hard to imagine ever leaving a job. In reality, many of the things you begrudgingly put up with probably aren’t present in every role. Don’t be afraid to quit if you’re not growing in a role.
Life Lesson #19 – Use your voice.
When you’re one of the younger people in a room, it can be intimidating to speak up. However, many others — despite their age — may feel hesitant to speak up themselves. If you think something is wrong, say something. If you don’t think something made sense or need further clarification, ask questions.
Life Lesson #20 – Almost nothing in life is permanent.
Your emotions, your situation, your job — these will all change. Don’t get too caught up in making everything perfect and don’t worry too much about something that’s only temporary.
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