I'm 28 years old.
Approaching the end of my twenties I have a new perspective on life.
Looking back I believe that your 20s are a crucial time for building the life you want.
In this article, I'm going to explain why your 20s are a crucial time for building the life you want and provide you with some actionable advice on how to make the most of this decade.
Your twenties are a time of significant growth and change. The decisions you make during this decade will have a lasting impact on your future.
By using this time to build a strong foundation for your life, you can set yourself up for long-term success and happiness.
By gaining an understanding of how to make the most of your 20s you will have:
Increased clarity and direction of what you want in life.
Greater sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Stronger personal and professional relationships.
More opportunities for growth.
Now, let's dive in.
Say Yes More Often
For most people in their twenties. This is a time when you have limited responsibilities and more freedom to explore new paths and take calculated risks.
By stepping outside of your comfort zone and pursuing new opportunities, you can learn valuable skills, gain new experiences, and discover what you truly enjoy.
This will lead to personal growth, a greater sense of fulfillment, and more opportunities for success in the future.
On the other hand, someone who avoids taking risks in their twenties may miss out on valuable opportunities for growth and discovery.
They may feel stuck in a job or lifestyle that doesn't align with their values or goals and may struggle to build the skills and experiences they need to succeed in the future.
So don't be afraid to explore new paths, take up new hobbies, and throw yourself into opportunities, say yes more often. The rewards can be significant.
Look After Your Health
Your body is a vessel that you take with you for life.
Just like a ship needs regular maintenance and upkeep to stay afloat, your body needs healthy habits and routines to stay strong and healthy.
Diet = Fuel
Just like a ship needs fuel to run smoothly, your body needs a healthy and balanced diet to function at its best.
Exercise = Maintenance
Just like a ship needs regular maintenance to stay seaworthy, your body needs regular exercise to stay strong and healthy.
Sleep = Rest
Just as a ship's crew needs rest to recover and perform at their best, our bodies need sleep to recover and rejuvenate.
In your 20s, prioritise healthy habits - fuel your body with a balanced diet, exercise regularly, sleep well, and manage stress.
By treating your body as a valuable vessel and cultivating healthy routines, you can thrive throughout life and achieve your goals.
Never Stop Learning
The more knowledge you have, the more competent and empowered you are.
Lifelong learning is key to staying mentally sharp, adaptable, and open-minded in today's fast-paced world.
Quite often most people stop learning when they finish school. This is the biggest mistake you can make.
In the early 2000s, Blockbuster Video was a dominant force in the video rental industry.
At its peak, it had over 9,000 stores worldwide and was a go-to destination for movie rentals.
However, the rise of streaming services such as Netflix quickly disrupted the industry, and Blockbuster failed to adapt to the changing landscape.
By 2010, Blockbuster had filed for bankruptcy and all of its stores had closed.
Just like the Blockbuster example, the world is constantly changing and evolving.
The skills and knowledge that were valuable yesterday may not be as relevant tomorrow.
By embracing lifelong learning in your 20s, you can develop the skills and knowledge needed to stay ahead of the curve.
You Will Outgrow People, That's Okay
As you get older you will notice that you no longer connect with certain friends anymore.
You will find a friend questioning why you are no longer hanging out.
Or you realise that your thoughts no longer align with each other.
When you grow you also grow away from friends, and that is okay.
It's heartbreaking to think that you are growing apart from people who you thought would be in your future.
But sometimes it is necessary for the journey you are on.
You will make room for new people to come into your life who are on the same journey as you.
Follow Your Curiosity
There is a famous saying 'Curiosity killed the cat' - leading us to think that curiosity is a bad thing.
Curiosity saved my life.
In my early twenties, I was lost. Constantly worrying about what my future would look like. Not knowing my place in the world. Not thinking I had anything of value to offer.
That all changed when I followed my curiosity.
Curiosity is key to finding your calling in life.
It helps you discover what you have a strong desire to know.
For me, that was human behaviour. I wanted to know why people suffer. That question led me to go down a rabbit hole that has consumed my life.
I developed a body of knowledge that became useful to others.
It made me become a therapist.
I now have a business where I help people heal people from their suffering and find their purpose.
I owe it all to curiosity.
Never be afraid to chase your curiosity, it will give you everything you want in life.
Enjoy the Journey
I'm 28, turning 29 this year.
When I look back at my life I have made a lot of sacrifices to create the life I have now.
But if there is one thing I regret, I wish I traveled more.
Sometimes we forget that we are only in our twenties once.
I know that I am talking about how important it is to build the life you want in your twenties - and it is.
But it is also important to go out and have experiences that will stay with you forever.
Everything goes to zero when you die.
The only thing that you take with you is the memories you have made along the journey.
If I can leave you with one final message. Take the time to explore what you want in life and have the courage to pursue it every day.
Hope you found this helpful.
~Stefan
