At 22 years old, I’m fairly new to the twenties scene and yet so much has happened. I’ve gone through changes in my personal life, academic life and my social life. I have friends who have graduated, some who are now working full-time, I even have some friends that are engaged. The twenties are an interesting and different time for everyone. That being said, there are a lot of habits everyone in this stage should consider incorporating into their lives.
- Take care of your body
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Sometimes we get caught up in everything that we want to accomplish that we forget to take care of what will help us get there – our bodies. Simple things can make a big difference in the long run. Sleep well, drink water, stay active, wear sunscreen, and take time to go to the doctor. Your body will thank you for being so thoughtful.
- Learn to meditate
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Set aside a few minutes in the morning and evening to breathe deeply and quiet your thoughts. Use this time to clear your head and free yourself of any worries. This isn’t the easiest task, it’ll take some time to perfect but it’ll be worth it when you master it and can calm yourself when you need to.
- Keep a journal
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Journaling is helpful in so many ways. It provides an outlet for all of your thoughts, allowing you to release your emotions immediately. Write down everything you think, feel and do – the good, the bad and the ugly. You’ll be grateful you recorded everything when you can look back and read about what you achieved and how far you’ve come.
- Ask questions
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There are so many things to be learnt in life. Some of those things come from learning by mistakes and some come from asking questions. You might want to figure out everything on your own but there is no shame in reaching out to those around you. Ask your family, your friends, your teachers, ask the people you look up to, even if you don’t know them personally.
- Organize your financials
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This is a good time to start thinking about investments and how to make your money grow. Do some research and listen to different opinions so you can find the plans that work best for you. It’ll also help to learn how to make a budget and stick to it so you’ll have plenty of practice (and funds) when you need it most.
- Spend more time with your family
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Don’t take for granted the people who have been in your life since you were born. Talk to your parents, ask them about their lives and the lessons they’ve learnt. You’re never too old to learn from them and you’re not the only one getting older. Reach out to other family members, learn about your family’s history, and find ways to stay connected.
- Surround yourself with the right people
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People will constantly come and go from your life, that’s just the way life works. Create a community of people who you can rely on. These people will be your support system and should accept you for who you are while helping you to grow into a better version of yourself. If someone doesn’t want to stay in your life, let them go. The right people will be there.
- Dedicate time to yourself
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While it’s important to have a great group of friends, make sure you’re still focusing on yourself. Take time to be alone and reflect. Think about what you want for your life and how you can better yourself. Learn to do things alone like taking yourself out on dates or travelling solo. Find ways that’ll allow you to connect with yourself on a deeper level.
- Stop comparing yourself to others
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Everyone is in a different chapter in their life and on a path that’ll look different from yours so stop worrying about whether you’re doing things “the right way”. There is no one way to go about life or one thing that you’re supposed to be. Embrace what makes you who you are and enjoy the journey that you’re on!
- Read often
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Reading is one of the many simple pleasures in life. Read books that will help you grow, books that you will make you laugh, books that will make you cry. Read the classics, read the latest novels. Let yourself get lost in a world that isn’t your own or read what speaks to you and find your way in your own world.
- Volunteer
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Give some of your time to others on a regular basis. Look to see what areas your community needs help in and be part of a change. Do it without expecting anything in return or to make yourself look good. Do it because you have the time and the ability to help those who need it and because small steps go a long way in making the world a better place.
- Try new things
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This is the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone! Take some risks, big or small, and gain new experiences. Don’t worry about making mistakes or failing. It’s better to try something and fail than to never try and wonder what could’ve happened. You’ll feel so glad that you had the courage to give it a go.
- Educate yourself
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So much is happening in our world, so many things are changing. Use all the resources you have to educate yourself on what is going on not only in your community but around the world. Educate yourself on politics and global issues. Open discussions with those around you and learn about how you can use your voice and take action.
- Practice gratitude
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Gratitude isn’t about ignoring your feelings or the difficult things. Gratitude is about acknowledging that there is goodness in life and embracing it. It’s an intentional practice and doesn’t happen overnight. Take steps to focus on what you’re grateful for and how these things impact your life and your perspective.
- Travel, travel, travel
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If you have the opportunity to travel, take it! Life is too short to spend it all in one spot. There are so many beautiful places to see and so many incredible adventures to experience in this world. Go out and explore different cities, countries, and cultures. Invest in travelling and always make the most of it.
- Set standards and stick to them
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You know yourself better than anyone else so it’s up to you to know what your standards are and stay true to them. Set standards for yourself, your relationships, your career, and all areas of your life. The world is full of possibilities and people. Dreams are achieved every single day so never settle for less than you deserve.
- Capture the moments in your life
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Take lots of pictures and videos of yourself, your friends and family, and your adventures! I definitely agree that it’s important to focus on what’s happening in front of you but I also value capturing moments. One day you’ll want to look back and reminisce about all the great times you had and the memories you created.
- Stop rushing things
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Appreciate this chapter that you’re in and stop trying to rush everything to happen or to be perfect. Stop rushing your degree, your job, your relationship. Don’t worry about the timeline, rushing something might end up ruining it, just be patient. Things take time and there’s nothing wrong with you taking some time too.
- Take life as it comes
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Life doesn’t always happen the way we want it to, even if we plan everything down to the finest detail. Life will throw itself at you so take it as it comes! Accept the things you can’t control or change. Learn to be flexible and live in the moment. Sometimes the greatest things in your life will come when you least expect it.
- Speak kindly to yourself
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You may not be able to control everything in life, no matter how much you may want to, but you can control your mindset. Kind words go a long way, especially when you speak them to yourself. Be your own best friend and treat yourself with compassion and respect, you deserve it! Remember that you deserve every happiness this world has to offer.