A Definitive List Of Things You Need To Do In Your 20s To Have A Better Life In Your 30s

My 20s have been some of the most confusing years of my life. I’m stressed out, I’m excited, I’m lonely, and I’m doing my best to not get lost in the crowd. I don’t want to do anything, but I also want to do everything because I know my life will never be like it is right now. I’m trying to set myself up for greatness in my next decade and beyond. Want to join me? You need to be doing these things now.

1. Stop waiting for happiness—go out and get it. The best thing you can do for yourself in your 20s is learning to live and be happy in the present. If you’re waiting for certain things to happen because you think they’re going to make you happy, you’re doing yourself a serious disservice. Happiness comes from within—only you can make yourself happy, so stop waiting for an amazing guy to walk into your life or your dream job to be dropped into your lap and get out there and make big things happen.
2. Save as much money as possible. The last thing you’re probably thinking about right now is saving money. I mean, let’s be real—it’s not like you’re bringing home the big bucks with your entry-level position, and that money goes quick, what with the student loans you have to pay off and the cost of living being ridiculously high. While you might not be able to save hundreds of dollars a month, maybe start off with just $10 or maybe $20—whatever you can spare. Put that money away and watch it (slowly) become a pretty legit savings account.
3. Work on the flaws you can improve and accept the rest. It’s time to stop staring in the mirror and wishing you looked different. You’re never going to be Gal Gadot or Keke Palmer, and you know what? That’s OK! Instead of paying too much attention to your flaws, focus on your positives and spend time celebrating those. You really want to start accepting your insecurities now. Feeling bad about the way you look is a waste of time because beauty standards are BS and what matters most is your personality. Yes, I know that’s cheesy, but it’s true.
4. Start speaking up for yourself, for those around you, and for what you believe in. If you don’t know how to already, it’s time you learn how to stand up for yourself. Your 30s, 40s, and the rest of your life will be better if you speak up. Remaining silent on issues you’re upset or passionate about doesn’t do anyone any good. Your thoughts and opinions are important. People deserve to hear them — and you deserve to have them heard!
5. Do what you need to do to feel better. If there’s something you don’t like about yourself, go ahead and change it. You don’t like your lips, get lip fillers. You don’t like your body, hit up the gym, and change your diet. I’m not saying you should go out of your way and spend a ton of money on surgery or Botox or whatever. However, there’s nothing wrong with making changes as long as you’re being healthy and safe about how you go about changing.
6. Master the art of NOT burning bridges. Sure, it might be easy for you to drop that one friend who’s never had your back and to ghost the nice guy you’re not interested in anymore, but burning bridges isn’t something you need to be doing in your 20s. After all, you don’t know where those people might end up later and whether your paths will cross again. If you want to end a relationship, end it, but be an adult about it. Don’t send long messages filled with explicit language and a false sense of pride. Be mature, be cool.
7. Work as hard as you possibly can. Your 20s are about gaining as much experience as possible. What better way to do that than by working hard as hell?! Seriously, work and work hard now so when you’re in your 30s, you’ll be the head BIC. Trust me when I say that you don’t want to spend your 20s sitting on the couch watching Netflix and taking personality quizzes. You need to be out there hustling and doing what you can to get your dream career.
8. Don’t get too tied down before exploring your options. Don’t be desperate for a relationship, but don’t not be desperate. Does that make sense? What I mean is, you may think you have a type when it comes to what you’re attracted to and you might be right, but to know that for sure you need to date a bunch of guys. Experience new personalities, new looks, and new characteristics. I’m not against monogamy or anything, but I just think people should explore ALL their options before they opt to be with one person for the rest of their life, don’t you?
9. Learn to love being alone. So many of my fellow 20-somethings are incapable of being alone. If they’re not in a relationship then they’re spending all their free time with their friends and family. And if they’re not with their friends or family, they’re scrolling through Instagram and texting every five seconds. NO! The world is a terrible and unpredictable place and if you don’t know how to be alone with yourself, you might be in for a rude awakening when you’re 60 and all your family and friends are dead. Extreme situation, yes, but anything’s possible.
10. Have the courage to walk away. Peer pressure is real, but it’s time to stop giving into it. You’re the longest and best relationship you’ll ever have, which means you need to respect and take care of yourself. If you don’t want to be somewhere, you need to walk away. If you don’t want to be with someone, you need to walk away. Remember, this is YOUR life, not anyone else’s. Focus on you and making sure you’re alright.