There are some things in this life that you simply cannot prepare yourself for. Thriving, let alone surviving your twenties will prove to be a feat of its own. I am now more than halfway through my twenties and there are some seriously good tidbits I’ve stumbled upon over the past five years that I hope you find as helpful as I.
Make Fitness a Priority
I’ll start here (naturally). I’m not saying that you have to spend hours on end in the gym or devote your life to fitness but it is important that you develop some sort of a workout routine. However it is that you like to move, whatever it is that keeps you sweaty and your heart healthy– do it! Make it a habit now before it becomes a problem later.
Develop a Skin Care Routine
Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who never battled skincare issues. And maybe you’re one of the luckiest who never will. Wherever it is that you stand on the skincare spectrum, we ALL perform better when we feel better about the skin we’re in. So do yourself a favor and TAKE CARE OF IT! Unlike wine, it will not get better with age.
I fully understand that the skincare/beauty industry can be overwhelming and the price tags can be “gulp” worthy at times, so I have linked the perfect resource written by the lovely Valorie Oresko to help you simply unpack skincare and what’s right for your unique skin type. Check it out, here!
Prioritize Your “Yes’s” and Learn to Say “No”
As a “people pleasing 2” on the Enneagram scale, this is a lesson that I’m still working to perfect. It’s important to understand that it’s okay to say “no”. By learning to say “no” to the things that don’t light a spark within us, we free up more space in our lives to say yes to the things that do.
Start Saving
I know, I know, saving money, especially in your twenties seems daunting and for some, nearly impossible. But! not only is it possible, it’s also wildly important. The longer you put off saving, the more it will set you back in the future. Two easy ways to invest in your future:
- 401(k): If you are eligible to participate in a 401(k) through your company, do so! The money you put into the account is deposited BEFORE it is taxed– essentially, your incentive to start saving! On top of it, most companies will match your contributions to encourage you to participate.
- Roth IRA: If you are not eligible or your company does not offer 401(k)s, look into starting a Roth IRA. Although the money will be taxed before it’s put into the account, this money will be tax-free upon withdrawal in retirement.
Make saving easy– and non-negotiable. My best advice would be talking to a financial adviser. Between the two of you, decide on a realistic amount to be withdrawn every month that can be put away for retirement. Don’t leave yourself strapped for cash, but set yourself up for success later down the line.
Develop Credit and Pay Down Debt
I’ll tell you what, credit cards are a slippery slope that can leave you drowning in debt. If you can’t handle one, don’t. But if you can, here are a few tips to successfully build good credit:
- Only borrow what you can afford.
- Use only a small amount of the credit you have available. Keeping your balance below 30% of your credit limit is best for building good credit.
- Pay your credit card balance in full.
- Make all of your payments on time. Since a large part of your credit score includes timeliness of your payments, paying your balances on time will improve your credit.
If debt is already veering its ugly head, check out Dave Ramsey’s methods to tackling debt once and for all, HERE!
Build Connections
I’ll be completely honest, I have been relatively under-qualified for almost every job that I’ve found myself working in. Going in, I had no idea what I was doing but what I did have was someone there that trusted me to learn and to grow in a position they felt I deserved. Whether you like it or not, life is all about who you know. Let that sink in, briefly get upset over the matter and then do something about it! Get your butt off of the couch and go meet your next boss, mentor or tribe of people that will push you to be an even better version of the person you already are.
Embrace Change
Last, but certainly not least, get comfortable with being uncomfortable. In five years I have pivoted within my company over three times. I have started two new business ventures and I’ve held three additional part-time gigs. Change, for me, has been the one constant over the past couple of years. I’m not saying this is the correct path or something that you should intentionally seek after but it has taught me a lot of really valuable lessons that I may not have gotten the opportunity to otherwise.
Regardless of the path you’re on, abundance of change or lack thereof, one of the most important things to remember is that through change comes growth. You cannot become who you want to be by remaining who you’ve always been.
Carry on, Warriors.
XX, Paige
