22 Lessons Every 20-Something Should Learn

POPSUGAR Smart Living — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:15:25 +0000

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." For better or worse, your 20s are an essential time in your life. Careers, relationships, and an absurd amount of other stuff constantly occupy the minds of twenty-somethings at any given time. Fresh out of college, I myself have inadvertently learned quite a few life lessons as I delve deeper into this defining decade. Bad news, college friends: most real jobs require that you wake up before noon.

The truth is, you have to catch on pretty fast when life is changing around you at the speed of light. We millenials are just trying to be happy — one success (or failure) at a time — and that's totally okay. We are all trying to figure it out. Read on to discover 22 crucial lessons I have learned about making it through my 20s in one piece.

1. You're Going to Be Broke

Accept it. Think of it as that super savvy, frugal time of your life you will look back on once you can actually buy noodles that aren't ramen.

2. Your Parents Are Actually Really Cool

Remember in high school when you were utterly mortified to be seen in public with them? By now you have finally escaped your angsty adolescence to realize that Mom and Dad are totally awesome and know a lot more about life than you. Don't freak out when realizing that you want to hang out with them.

3. Networking Is Everything

You have heard it a million times, and that's because it's so true. The bigger your professional network is, the more opportunities you will have. Your skills count for a lot, but you'll learn that your connections count for a whole lot more, especially when you're young.

4. You Will Get Your Heart Broken, Probably a Few Times

Love is hard. Some people get lucky and find long-term relationships right away, but don't feel discouraged — or like you have to be one of those twenty-somethings. It can take a few duds before you find a winner, so until the lucky guy comes along, enjoy being single. But when you do find him, don't take what you have for granted.

5. Your Metabolism Slows Down

Put down the donut... or the pizza or the chips or whatever it is that's calling your name from the kitchen cupboard. Okay, take a bite, then put it down. You're young, you're stressed, food is good — trust me, I get it. Unfortunately for us, the human body's metabolism rapidly slows down as it enters its 20s. That means you can't eat what you want anymore — one of the saddest truths in adulthood.

6. Even iI You Went to College, There's Still More to Learn

A college education is so important, but there's also a lot to learn outside of the classroom. That goes the other way around, too. Learn as much as you can early on both inside of a university's walls and out of it.

7. Speaking Up for Yourself Pays Off

Do you deserve a job? Do you want that raise? Nobody will know that unless you let it be known. Your own voice can take you pretty far.

8. Hangovers Are a Real Thing That Will Actually Happen to You

Ah yes, let's take a moment to reflect on the early years when you could go out multiple nights in a row and feel like a million bucks by the end of the weekend. Say goodbye to those glorious days and hello to your new friends: Advil and coffee.

9. Landing a Job Isn't Easy

We all dream of nabbing the career of our dreams right out of the gate, but as soon as you walk out of your dorm room and into the real world you will realize that it's going to take a lot of résumés, applications, and hard work to get to where you want to be.

10. Make Time for Your Family

So much is happening during this time in your life that it can be pretty easy to let the time you spend with family slip between the cracks. Pick up the phone or go visit, because everything else in your life is temporary. Your family, on the other hand, will always be there. Oh yeah, and they usually provide you with free meals.

11. There's More to Life Than Social Media

We millenials love our smartphones. Sure, it's a great way to keep up with friends and news, but obsessing over what you tweet or post every moment makes you miss out on what's right in front of you.

12. Don't Compare Yourself to Your Friends

Your 20s are a time when your friends begin to go their separate ways. Remember that you're all completely different people. While going to college might be right for one person, traveling to another country might be more fitting for another. One choice isn't better than another; it's all relative. You should all be rooting each other on.

13. You Can Still Wear Whatever You Want

Warning: this is your last chance to wear that crop top. The magic of being in your 20s is that you can still get away with wearing just about any crazy fashion trend that you want. Enjoy it while you can.

14. That Credit Card Bill Is Always Going to Come

It won't magically disappear, so don't pretend like it will. Spend your money wisely, because it's likely that you still have plenty of student loans to pay off in the first place.

15. Exercise Now, Thank Yourself Later

Yes, I know it takes a lot of effort. And no, it does not get any easier. But if you exercise now, you will be a whole lot healthier in the future. At least take a walk or something, you know?

16. Your College Major Will Not Define Your Career

Most people don't end up having a career in whatever they majored in, and there's nothing wrong with that. Don't be surprised when your art history degree leads you to a job in marketing (or something else completely unrelated to your intended field; get my drift?).

17. Sleep Is Precious

Say it with us: Sleep. Is. Precious. You will find yourself bragging about how much sleep you got last night far more often than how amazing it was to stay up super late.

18. Don't Worry So Much

I'm worried that you'll be worried about worrying all the time after reading this post... see what I mean? We all fret way too much. Enjoy your life — these are supposed to be the best years, aren't they? You will get rent paid and you will kill that presentation at work; don't let those thoughts occupy the majority of your mind.

19. You Still Have to Pay Your Dues at Work

Having a college degree is not enough anymore. In fact, it's the bare minimum. That means you might have to start off with a job or position that isn't necessarily ideal. It's a building block for making it to the top, so throw your twenty-something ego into the gutter and remember that you're not too good to start at the bottom. All of your peers are hanging out down here with you.

20. Love Who You Are, Body and All

Sometimes it's really hard to love yourself in this world of Photoshop and unrealistic expectations. If you didn't know it already, you are beautiful and amazing and perfect exactly as you are. As long as you know that on the inside, everyone else is going to see it. Besides, you're at your ultimate hotness peak in your 20s, so enjoy it before the decade sneaks away.

21. You Don't Have to Take Everyone's Advice

This is a very important time in your life, so naturally you are going to be bombarded with a lot of advice and opinions. Nobody said you have to listen to all of it; ultimately it's your life and you know what's best for you. Chances are you'd like to throw out a few points in this very post.

22. Discover Who You Are

Figuring it all out is tricky. You want to know what's going to happen and how it's all going to play out. Chances are your life will be nothing like how you expected, and that's for the better. Take a deep breath and dive into your 20s headfirst; you'll bob back to the surface in no time.

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Have any lessons you have learned in your 20s? Let us know in the comments.

There's a lot of years ahead of you; get the basics down now.

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This article is from POPSUGAR Smart Living of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Life Hacks You Should Master by Age 30

Amanda Meadows — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 11:00:07 +0000

Are you a 20-something trying your best to transition fully into adulthood? We've all been there. It's time to start developing those go-to skills that will make adult life much easier. Get started on these 10 life hacks you should master by age 30.

1. Changing a Flat Tire

As with most unexpected emergency situations, you should be prepared for the worst. Sure, AAA is great, but what if you're in the middle of nowhere, or in the middle of rush hour? A flat tire is relatively easy to fix, so learn how to change a tire, now. (You can practice in your driveway.)

2. Repairing Your Pipes

Leaky pipes and clogged drains are the kinds of nuisances that we live with until something worse happens — and that shouldn't be the case. Look like a boss with your wrench or drain snake and fix leaky pipes without a plumber. Your roommates or your significant other will thank you.

3. Assembling an Emergency Kit

Everyone should have an emergency kit for their home, car, and even for their work desk. Buy three nylon duffel bags, then head to the hardware store and fill them with the essentials. In addition, have a "top five" of close people you'd call for help in an emergency.

4. Mixing a Signature Cocktail

Having a go-to cocktail that you can make for yourself is a classy life hack that will make you a better host. In the process, you'll likely want to learn more drinks. For bonus points, learn to make your signature drink in large cocktail batches for parties.

5. Cooking at Least One Dish

Learn how to cook something from scratch! It's about time. It's always impressive to others and delicious for everyone. Pick a dish that requires a mix of multiple ingredients at different times. Spaghetti doesn't count, but spaghetti carbonara does. Start here with some great restaurant dishes you can make at home.

6. Wrapping a Present

How often have you struggled to wrap a gift last minute only to reuse an old gift bag instead? Learn how to wrap presents creatively with all kinds of materials. You may find that your recipients will enjoy your gifts even more because they love how beautiful they look before even opening them.

7. Calculating Tips

It's not difficult to calculate a tip in your head. Find it hard to solve for 20% right away? Simply take 10% of the total (move the decimal once to the left), and double that. At group meals in which the restaurant doesn't add gratuity, do the same thing, then divide that by the number of people at dinner — and make sure they don't add the tip until after they are charged for their share of the total. In the worst case scenario, Google has you covered with a tip calculator.

8. Creating a Monthly Budget

Saving for the future is one of the most important things you can start doing in your 20s. These days, we have tons of programs to help track your spending and expenses. Pick one and start budgeting month-by-month. Once you get the hang of it, start a year-long savings plan.

9. Effectively Packing Luggage

No, we don't mean cramming your belongings into a carry-on! Consider your mode of travel, destination, and duration of the trip. Bring exactly the amount of undergarments, shirts, and pants you'll need, and only essential toiletries. Tip: try rolling your clothes together instead of folding for more space.

10. Mending Clothing

Wardrobe malfunctions can happen to anyone at anytime, so basic clothes mending should be in your repertoire. One should know how to sew a button, quickly re-stitch a hem, patch a small hole, and other basic clothing fixes. Study a few mending tutorials and start practicing on old garments.

What other basic life skills have you found essential to know by 30?

This article is from Amanda Meadows of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

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