This was my 20s!
Here are 10 things I would love to tell the 20-something me from my past. If you're past your twenties, it's never too late. If you're in your twenties enjoy. If you aren't 20 yet, get started early!
1. Wrinkled Raisin, Smooth Grape
Many people told me that good skincare was important and I never listened. I had pretty good skin and any imperfections I had could be hidden with make up. But I should have listened. Here is the deal, skin can be compared to a grape and a raisin. A ripe grape has a smooth-as-glass exterior with good color. As it looses moisture it becomes wrinkled, shriveled and small. So too does our skin. It needs good moisture to stay tight and firm. It needs to be taken care of, or year 30 hits and the raisin affect begins. Find a good face wash and a good moisturizer at the very least. It will save you a lot of money trying to repair the damage when you cross the 30 bridge. Wash your face every night and every morning. You can make time, I promise. While you're at it, get a good eye make-up remover and get rid of that mess each night!
2. Move It, Move It
You have energy. It may not feel like it, but you do, and this is the easiest time in your life to get fit and healthy. So find some type of exercise that works for you. Park at the far corner of the parking lot and walk a few more steps each day. Join a dance class. Ride your bike. Good habits get harder to form the more stuck in your ways you become, so start it now. Your 30 year old self will thank you!
3. Be You
You get the chance to figure out who you are. You've left high school (maybe college) and you get to decide who you are going to be. Write down 5 things that you want to make sure everyone knows about you. Decide if you want to be known as a hard worker or a compassionate heart. Start being those things-today. Whether you married young and are coming in to your own with someone else, or you are single and loving it; spend the time figuring out who you want to be as an adult and start acting like it now. All the time. Drinking, sleeping, working or living back at your parents house, be you!
4. Focus
Many 20 year olds are just starting in their career but there are so many other distractions. A new found paycheck and a lot of freedom from not sitting in class leads to a lot of options. Don't get too caught up in the options. Many will tell you that your golden years will be in your 40's or 50's during your career, but take a look at Mark Zuckerberg. You can achieve great success at a young age. Don't be fooled; it's not luck and it's not something to be given to you. But with some good hard work and focus you can achieve great success in your 20's. It's the time, trust me. Don't let all the other stuff get in the way of you wanting to chase a dream.
5. Drink Up!
Drink more water! This isn't a joke and requires very little explanation. Just do it. Drinking a LOT of water a day can solve 50% of the things you'll be whining about at 31.
6. Get Up Early
I know you don't want to. I know it's hard. I know that you were out until 2 AM. But get up. Start your day 30 minutes early. Eat a good breakfast or drink some more water. Meditate, walk the block or just don't rush so much. If you can start the habit now, you will thank yourself later when you have work to do, a husband to get up with, or kids in the house.
7. Where do you want to go?
Travel. Now days you can travel at good prices. A few clicks on the internet and you can plan a trip to anywhere. Choose the time before the responsibilities overtake life and go experience the world God has given you. Take weekend trips to towns nearby and see what your state has to offer. Stop using sick days to nurse a hangover on your couch and use those days to sip great drinks on the worlds greatest beach. Experience all four seasons somewhere different and don't be afraid to go somewhere unknown.
8. Go to Church
It's tempting to put off church. There will be plenty of time to sit in a pew when you're old, working, and have kids. But friends, go to church now. Don't know what the right church is for you? Go to 52 different ones in a year. Believe it or not, we all need God all of the time but the trials of your 20s will be greatly different if you have God and a good church family by your side. If a traditional service doesn't move you, find a different worship experience. There is not a better time in life than right now to find where God moves you!
9. Money sucks!
Money is something you are going to deal with all of your life. You won't have enough of it, you won't know how to manage it when you have too much, and the world is set to take it from you. When it's just you, you have an opportunity to save. I know this one sucks. I didn't do it. This is why I'm telling my 20-something self to do it. But do it while you're responsibilities are low. Live with less than you want and put some away. No one will listen to this one but it is sooooo important. All of the wealthy people in the world will tell you save and invest. Even with an extra $50 a month you can invest and make something. Find an accountant or a financial advisor that can help you. They will be just as happy with your $50 check because they know it will lead to more.
10. Get Involved with Something that Matters
A lot of people think philanthropy is for old people who have nothing better to do but make themselves look good. Wrong! There are so many great organizations that are fighting good fights to make the world better each day. They need money (and yes, $10 a month more than counts). They need hands (one hour a week will give more to you than you can ever imagine). They need advocates (your story matters and including their story helps to further their cause). Whether you want to save animals, help the homeless or feed the hungry, there are organizations in your town doing just that and they want you. If you try one and it doesn't fit, find another. Do your research and get involved now. It is never too early to do good work and you, my friend, at 20, 25, or 29 are what organizations are praying for.
