Before we can be the successful President and CEO of [insert name of huge, international company here], we have a lot of work to do and a lot of mistakes to make – a time also known as our twenties! There won’t only be mistakes, but also a lot of emotions and changes. It’s an extremely exciting time in any persons life, but whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed with this newfound adulthood, remind yourself that you aren’t alone. No one really knows what they’re doing.
1. You are not a mess. You may recycle outfits out of convenience, and you may be consistently late, but this does not mean you’re a mess! Stop putting so much pressure on yourself to have this perfect image – it’s impossible.
2. It’s okay to complain. A lot of us try to keep our lips sealed when it comes to complaining, because we recognize that there are people who have bigger problems than studying for final exams. Sometimes we need a reminder that happiness is relative to every individual, and it’s okay to vocalize our frustration when our lives don’t go exactly as planned.
3. But don’t sweat the small stuff. With the above being true, what also has to be learnt is the ability to recognize when you are over-complaining. Too much sugar in your coffee and traffic on your way into the city do not warrant more than 5 minutes of aggravated discussion.<br.
4. No one really knows how to “date.” There are apps, websites, or the classic number exchange at the bar, but when it comes down to it, no one has any f*cking clue what they are doing. Everyone is just wandering around hoping to find someone who understands them, same as you. Be yourself and love will come to you.
5. It is perfectly acceptable to find yourself drunk on a Tuesday night. Sometimes we just need a break from the office or the lecture hall, and we need to let loose. Why not do so with your best friend and a glass of wine? It’s okay to not dedicate every waking moment to improving yourself.
6. It’s okay to be sad. Life can be hard, and it’s the hardest when it feels like there aren’t any quick fixes to the source of your sadness. Being 20-something is generally a very lonely time. With your parents and many of your friends in another city, it can be tough to find the moral support you desire. Sometimes you just gotta throw on some Sam Smith and sulk in your own sadness.
7. It’s okay to be happy, too. Never feel badly for finding happiness, regardless of the sacrifices you had to make to get there. You deserve it just as much as the next person, and frankly, it’s a dog-eat-dog world. Don’t shy away from any opportunity if you think it could positively change your life.
8. Not every relationship will be “forever.” Whether it’s romantic or platonic, hardly any relationships last. People will wander in and out of your life, because your wants and needs are changing all of the time. Accept change, and you will quickly see that it’s okay for relationships to end.
9. Take your eyes off of the screen and start seeing the world. Facebook and Twitter are great, but they are definitely not the be-all-end-all. Get out into the streets and breath in the world in real time. If you need to deactivate your accounts to live the way you want to live, do it.
10. Never apologize for being yourself. If it feels right and true, don’t let anyone or anything tell you otherwise. You may need to move across the country, or you may never plan on leaving your hometown – those are both okay. There is no “right” or “wrong.”
From one disheveled, stressed out twenty-something to another, you are not alone. Step back and enjoy this time of your life – it may seem overwhelming, but these years fly by. Don’t take any of these experiences for granted.
Featured image via Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
