The reality of adulting in your 20s probably doesn’t meet any expectations you had as a child. Your responsibilities and choices are not things you can foist on anyone else.
Although we’re different people, being twenty-something feels like a roller coaster most times. The pressure persists, but so do we after all.
Through the ups and downs of my journey, here are the top 10 lessons I’ve learnt about adulting in my 20s.
1. Money Management Is A Crucial Skill
Financial literacy is necessary to understand basic money management. My 20s have taught me that a better understanding of my finances gives me peace of mind.
Learning to budget, manage bills, and save helps you make better financial decisions that secure your future. Knowing how to manage finances has become a life skill that you ought to learn.
2. Relationships Evolve, and That’s Okay
Adulthood has changed how I view friendships and relationships. As an introvert who never had a lot of friends, I have always prioritised quality over quantity.
There are friends who have become acquaintances, and I’m left with nostalgic memories. Life is like a moving train; passengers alight, and the journey goes on until the last stop.
3. Work Isn’t Your Whole Identity
Society often encourages hustle culture through media channels and social pressure. You believe constant productivity is the key to success, and so you attach your self-worth to your job.
Hustle culture has a major impact on mental health, often leading to chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout. By finding balance between life and work, you get to create a life outside your job and take care of yourself. Work is important, but it is not everything.
4. Rest Is Productive; Prioritise It
Societies with a strong “hustle culture” often view rest or inactivity as a sign of laziness. Without rest, stress can build up, weaken your resilience, and increase health risks.
This taught me that rest is a necessary part of productivity. Remember to include scheduled breaks and time to indulge in your hobbies in your routine.
5. Health Habits Catch Up to You
It’s easy to get caught up in life, and so you might struggle to focus on your health. There’s this illusion among young adults that we can pick up healthier habits later in our lives.
And yet, the way you eat, move about, manage stress, and use drugs has an impact on how healthy you are. Being intentional about your health choices now is sure to pay off later.
6. Saying No Protects Your Peace
As a recovering people pleaser, I’ve learnt to say no to people and things that threaten my peace of mind. This is not an excuse to be selfish, but there’s space to do things for others without sacrificing myself.
7. Failure Isn’t The End
Your 20s are usually the experimental phase in which you find yourself and what works for you. This means that there would be things you try that don’t work, and it’s up to you to learn from them.
This does not mean that all failures teach you something. In the words of the famous Dwight K. Schrute, “Not everything’s a lesson, Ryan. Sometimes you just fail…”
This blog is the result of the many experiences that have made up my 20s. From the side gigs I tried, all the lessons I’m learning, both my mistakes and wins, are all part of the story.
8. Faith and Values Anchor You
Identifying your core values helps you reflect on who you are and what you stand for. This way, your decisions are guided by what is important to you and not external pressures.
For me, evolving from being lukewarm about my faith has opened my eyes to the many ways God’s hand has been in my life. My faith in Jesus is the thread that keeps me steady when the waves of life threaten to drown me at sea.
Also Read: How I Stopped Hiding My Faith
9. Comparison Is A Thief of Joy
Constant comparison leads you to feel inadequate and dissatisfied with your life. If social media becomes the standard you measure your life with, it’s hard to notice any progress.
Our races are different, and the polished versions of lives online are like smoke. How do you tell what’s real and what’s not? Be self-aware, and focus on becoming the best version of yourself.
10. Growth Often Comes From Discomfort
Stepping out of your comfort zone helps you expand your worldview and find how you can fit into it. When you face unfamiliar situations, you build your confidence and discover new interests.
For the longest time, I was scared to step out of my comfort zone and take risks. This year, I’m trying new experiences and taking some healthy risks. My confidence has doubled, and my fears have also reduced.
Conclusion
Adulting isn’t about figuring your life out in one go but learning and unlearning as you grow. Your first heartbreak or that failed interview are part of the seasons of life shaping you.
Talk to friends who have gone through the fire of early adulthood. You’d discover that the learning curve might be scary, but the lessons are usually worth it.
