Big Moments That Make Your 20s Totally Worth It

Your 20s have a reputation for being full of mistakes, wild nights, and that ‘lost in translation’ feeling. But in reality, that decade offers so much more than just sex, partying, and living for the moment. The decisions that you make during your 20s can not only shape who you are as a person, but also who you become in your 30s and beyond. It’s the defining decade where we finally transition from childhood into adulthood. You not only have some of your best times, but also face some of your biggest obstacles that challenge you in ways you can’t imagine. It’s tough sometimes, here are 17 moments that make your 20s totally worth it.

1. Having freedom to pursue your passions. Your 20s are the perfect time to pursue what you love rather than just a paycheck. It can be totally scary to work at your passion because you actually care and it’s hard not to take any criticism to heart. But when you gain the courage to put yourself out there, you’ll find it to be totally and utterly worth it.
2. Road tripping with the girls. Wind in your hair, road trip playlist blasting, with only the excitement of the new adventure on your mind… it’s the ultimate freedom. Some of the best laughs, talks, and times in general are with your friends while embarking on a new journey, so turn off your phone and soak it all in.
3. Starting over. Whether you’re starting a job in a new city or moving away to college, you get to press the refresh button on your life. No one knows your past, your flaws, or that totally embarrassing thing you did in the 6^th grade. Personality can change more in your 20s than any other decade in your life. Starting fresh means you get to reinvent yourself and who you want to be without the hometown judgments. Starting over doesn’t mean you have to become someone new, it just allows you to become the best version of you.
4. Running towards your problems instead of away from them. Mom isn’t there anymore to write you a sick note to get you out of that work presentation that you are totally dreading. In fact, you can’t even afford to get sick because you have too much on your plate. The moment you stop dwelling on what you have to do and just get it done is extremely empowering. Tasks that once seemed impossible will become simple. You just have to get out there and get it done.
5. Feeling out of place. We’ve all felt like a fish out of water, like we have nothing in common with anyone around us. But by being you, having an open mind, and putting yourself out there, you begin to realize that the world is a much smaller, more beautiful place than you ever imagined.
6. Coming back home after you’ve been gone for a while. Day-to-day life feels the same — you feel the same. Sometimes it takes coming back to your hometown where the views, people, and traditions remain unchanged to realize how much you’ve actually grown since the last time you were there.
7. Riding in cars with boys. Crushing, dating, feeling desirable is an absolute blast. Although we may want to settle down eventually, it’s hard to forget the mad times you’ve had riding in cars with boys you’ve liked.
8. Befriending your parents. One day in your 20s, you’ll get over yourself and realize that your parents are actually cool and fun to hang out with.
9. Realizing that clubbing is overrated. The nights you remember the most are at home, drinking with your friends. As fun as clubbing seems, getting hit on, stepped on, and spilled on is never a good time. That realization is an absolute blessing.
10. Ballin’ on a budget. Nothing says broke like looking in your pantry and wondering what you can make with garbanzo beans and coconut milk. But being broke makes you inventive. You figure out having a good time doesn’t require money, just good friends and pretty scenery to surround yourself with.
11. Embracing vulnerability. In your 20s, you’ll realize that no one will like you if you always try to be right. In fact, you’ll come to realize that no one actually knows what they are doing, just like you. Sometimes apologizing and embracing your vulnerabilities is the strongest thing you can do.
12. Redefining ‘home’. Even if you’re away at college, home is where you grew up. One day, without you even realizing it, this will change. Although your parents’ house will always be special to you, at some point your home will be your own place in your own city. You’re your own person and no longer need the security of your parents to feel safe.
13. Understanding commitment. In your 20s, relationships become a whole lot more than just someone you have fun with. For the first time, you’ll have to think about someone other than yourself when you make big life decisions or when deciding what you want to do for dinner. The best part? Your best friend is by your side every step of the way.
14. Singing at the top of your lungs after a bad breakup. If you haven’t belted Adele’s 21 album after a breakup, you’re not doing it right. Boyfriends in your 20s are serious, not some high school fling, and it can be really hard to lose your best friend. When you’re feeling your worst, somehow singing at the top of your lungs can give you the strength to move on.
15. Discovering the meaning of true friends. You’ll stop partying as much and for the first time in your life, your friend count will go down rather than up. You’ll realize that the friends that you actually put the effort into staying in touch with are the ones that have always meant the most to you. The ones that didn’t matter will fade away.
16. When you stop caring. One day you’ll wake up and realize that you’ve been too busy living your life to care how many likes you got on your last Instagram post or who your crush is dating. Life is worth more than the opinions of others. The moment you stop caring, you’ll feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders.
17. Feeling empowered. It’s not like becoming an adult is some magical transformation. You’re never going to have it all sorted out, but by working a job you care about, surrounded by people you love, doing things that make you happy, you’ll feel empowered and ready to take on the world.