- Take Care of Yourself First.
Your health should always be a number one priority. It is important to recognize that self-care takes work. You can only expect out of your body, what you put into it.
2. You’re Going to Feel Lost.
One thing that became very clear to me after high-school graduation, is that nobody has life figured out. We all harbour doubt, even when we are doing well. There will be many obstacles standing in the way of where you are and where you want to be. Some days you feel like you can’t handle it, but that feeling won’t last forever.
3. Take Pride in Everything You Do.
Especially when you feel like something is beneath you. Every situation has something to teach you if you are open to learning. Good work ethic doesn’t stop depending on your situation.
4. Stay Humble, Always.
Remember to take as much time to listen others, as you take to talk. You can learn a lot by observing.
5. Don’t Make Excuses, Apologize.
Nobody wants to hear excuses, they want to know that it won’t happen again. With that, not everybody will accept your apology – and that is okay. Take what you have learned from that situation and move on.
6. Time is Your Most Precious Resource.
Time is the one thing that you can never get back. Don’t waste time on work that you hate or toxic people. That is way too much time slipping through your fingers.
7. Tell Those Around You, How Much They Mean to You.
Don’t be afraid to tell the people in your life, how much you appreciate them. You might not have as much time with them, as you would hope for.
8. Be Your Own Source of Happiness.
Search for happiness in things that YOU love and that benefit YOU. Work on making yourself better, instead of relying on other people for validation. It is a skill that will serve you well as you face new challenges.
9. Eliminate Negative People.
Don’t waste your time on people who make you feel like you aren’t worthy of what you want. There is nothing selfish about purging unhealthy relationships from your life, no matter who it is. Family, friends and significant others should be there because YOU want them to be.
10. You and Your Friends Will Change.
As time goes on, you will begin to decide who you want to be – and so will your friends. Sometimes you are going in the same direction and sometimes you aren’t. It can be hard to accept that sometimes the people you thought would be a big part of your future, won’t be after all. All you can do is adjust your expectations and take comfort in what they have taught you.
11. Invest in Experiences, Not Things.
Take advantage of your youth! You don’t have a lot tying you down right now. No children, no full time job, no house. You have more time and fewer obligations now than you ever will. Maximize this time and indulge in every moment.
12. Dreams Require Sacrifice.
If you have big dreams, this will require big work. Yes, sometimes you will have to work nights, weekends, birthdays and holidays. Sometimes you will have to make short term sacrifices to make your long-term goals a reality. It sucks, but it happens.
13. Do What You Love.
Do something you are passionate about and the rest will fall into place.
14. Embrace Failure.
Failing is what success is built on, embrace it. Failure means that you are trying. You can learn just as much from the bad than the good.
15. It is Okay to Be Uncomfortable.
We always try to eliminate things that makes us uncomfortable. But, discomfort is a part of learning. It is a fundamental aspect of growth. Put yourself in situations that are unfamiliar to you and you will discover so much about yourself.
16. The Best Relationships Require Effort, Not Work.
The strongest relationships are not taxing. If it is, that is a sign that something needs to change. You have the ability to change the dynamic of every single one of your relationships. You are never trapped, so don’t put yourself in that box.
17. Embrace the Moment.
Don’t enjoy life through the lens of your phone. We are all so obsessed with capturing the moment, that sometimes we miss out on the most important parts.
18. Don’t Get Too Caught Up in Making Plans.
Rejection hurts in the moment, but it also means that the right opportunity is still out there. It is so important to have goals, but it is equally important to be spontaneous. You never know what each day will bring.
19. We Are All a Work in Progress.
None of us are complete. We are all just doing what we can with what we have.
20. Never Stop Learning.
Never stop taking opportunities to learn and challenge yourself. Always seek out opportunities to make yourself better. You are your biggest investment.
twenty-somethings 